I have a sinus infection. I am interested in finding alternative health solutions such as remedies, herbs, an
Answers:
What causes it-
Sinusitis may occur as a complication of an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu. The linings of the sinuses can be irritated by smoke, air pollution, or allergies as well. In addition, those who have a deviated septum or nasal polyps may also be prone to sinusitis.
Some cases of sinusitis -- a bacterial infection, for instance -- require treatment with antibiotics. However, even conventional medicine is beginning to question the universal application of these drugs, especially for people with chronic sinus conditions, which may not stem from bacteria. In addition, antibiotics don't help the body prevent future sinus infections. Supplements can be used to help clear up an acute sinus infection, even if you're on antibiotic drugs. The recommended vitamins and herbs are particularly valuable for people who have recurring sinus problems. None of these cause the side effects (such as dry mouth) that decongestants or other conventional medicines prescribed for this condition do.
1.In cases of acute sinusitis, the therapeutic goals are to reestablish drainage and clear up the infection. Various measures can be used: local application of heat, local use of volatile oils and botanicals with antibacterial properties, and immune system support.
2.Since chronic sinusitis is associated with allergy, long-term control can be dependent on isolation and elimination of the food or airborne allergens which may be contributing to the overall allergic load and correction of the underlying problem which allowed the allergy to develop. This may require desensitization procedures. During the acute phase, elimination of the common food allergens (milk, wheat, eggs, citrus, corn, peanuts) is indicated until a more definitive diagnosis can be made.
Recommendations -
Place warm compresses on your face to help open up your sinuses.
Consider using a sinus irrigator, a device found in health-food stores and pharmacies, that uses saltwater to flush out mucus.
Reduce congestion by inhaling eucalyptus-scented steam. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a pan of water. Heat to boiling and remove from the stove. Place a towel over your head and the pan and breathe in the steam through both nostrils. Blow your nose frequently.
Though there have been no major scientific studies conducted to support this theory, some experts believe spicy foods, such as horseradish, Japanese wasabi, garlic, or cayenne pepper, may help clear out congested sinuses.
Euphorbium Nasal Spray - homeopathic remedy. Available in US.
Vitamin C/Flavonoids: 1,000 mg vitamin C and 500 mg flavonoids 3 times a day.
Recent research has shown that there is a natural supplement that can help reduce the incidence of chronic sinusitis. N-acetylcysteine, which is derived from an amino acid, has been shown to help keep mucus fluid, thus helping the sinus drain. It's available at health food storeds and can be given in doses of 200 mg. two times a day for children and 200 mg. three times a day for adults.
At the first sign of blockage, (learn and) use the Buteyko method. It will clear your nose and therefore stop it getting to the stage of an infection. Horseradish (and fenugreek ?) tablets help only a little
If it is truely a sinus infection then you need antibiotics first to get rid of the bacteria. Once you get rid of the infection be sure to take a good multivitamin supplement that is well absorbed by your body as well as a good antioxidant supplement. By doing this I have been free of sinus infections for about 7 years and I used to get 3-5 per year. The thing is to take the anitbiotics first though to get rid of the infection as left untreated it can spread and cause permanent sinus problems that may require surgery to correct. I am all for all natural but in this case you do need to get rid of the initial infection and then prevent future infections.
I am not sure about alternative therapies that would help (I just don't have that knowledge) BUT I do know that Plantation Mint tea will help (drink as hot as you can and no sugar - honey is ok if you like it). Also, I just read the other day that HUMMING or singing along to a song can help your sinuses! I love to sing, so that news was great for me! :) I also find that a hot shower in a steamy bathroom always makes me feel better when I am having issues with sinus drainage or blockage.
When I was younger (in my 20s), I used to boil Eucalyptus leaves on the stove and breathe in the steam. It seemed to help. Don't ingest eucalyptus though (and keep your animals away from it).
Good luck! I hope you feel better soon! :)
I would not let a real infection go without medical treatment, but to prevent sinus blockage, you should look at a 'neti pot'. You make a solution of pure salt, a little baking soda, and water in proportion, and snuffle the water in and out of your nose. A LOT of mucus comes out, and done regularly, it keeps the sinuses clear.
The best thing I have found to head off a sinus infection is to spray saline solution up my nose. I just buy saline in a nasal sprayer, and spray twice in each nostril in the morning and twice in each nostril in the evening.
It's pretty gross because the saline going down the back of my throat makes me gag (that's why I only do it twice a day) but it really helps.
When I was a kid, I remember swimming in the ocean when I had a little bit of sinus trouble. The salt water in the ocean got rid of all the symptoms. So if you live near an ocean, it's a much better alternative than using the nasal spray :)
I also suffer from sinus infections ,try a little salt and baking soda mixed with water and spray into nostrils.not only cleans and heals but takes time to reacur.At first you'll need to get use to it because of the burning sensation but that means its working .trust me
This method what i am going to mention is very old grand mothers prescription.
Take a charcoal and put it on the stove till it burns and turns bright red.Now remove the charcoal from the stove with a tong and put sugar on it and white smoke will be emitted ,Inhale this white smoke from the burning sugar deeply and within minutes you will have good relief .if satisfied repeat it two or three times and for 2 or 3 days you will be rid of all sinus problems for good.wishing you all the luck .
I promise you the result,but be care full as the inner nostrils will feel the burning sensation when you inhale so do give some gap in between each inhaling. O.K.
This is a tough one.
I have been against medicine for a long time, but once I started getting sinus infections 3-6 times a year, then 6-10/yr. it got to be a BIG problem - and VERY painful.
It has to be treated with antibiotics. If if goes untreated, like in my case, you are more likely to develop chronic sinusitis - not a good thing to have. You will suffer, and the only thing that can prevent it at that point is a surgery, where they scrape all the pollups inside your sinuses and correct the septum (if that has been compromised - like in my case).
Think about your overall health.longterm. Sinus infections are not to be dealt with lightly. More complications come out of being untreated, even if you feel better for a while.
I used to have recurring sinus infection/inflammation. After being scared off of the antibiotics the Kaiser doctor gave me, I immediately turned to the then most famous practitioner of Acupuncture in Californa, Dr. Miriam Lee. One of the first things she did was put me on the over-the-counter herbal medicine, Bi Yian. It is almost exactly the same as Pe Min Kan Wan, also available over the counter.
Over the counter Chinese herbal medicines are available in Chinese herb shops (try the Chinatown in your area) and even in many health-food stores.
Try one of these first. If that does not clear it up within a few days, see a good acupuncturist or Dr. of Oriental Medicine (OMD). Expect to spend 3/4 hour to 1 hour under the needle twice a week until cured. You might need moxibustion and cupping too.
That said, if your infection is bacterial, and you tolerate the antibiotics well, none of these methods will clear it as quickly and effectively as a few days of a modern antibiotic such as Cipro. Also, if you take the advice about using saline solution, be sure to use the right salinity: nobody in his right mind will use anything weaker than 1/4 tsp in 1 cup or anything stronger than 1/2 tsp in 1 cup. Nowadays, most doctors recommend the weaker of the two.
garlic is a natural antibiotic. buy a bulb of garlic take a small clove or cut a large one into a size you can swallow. take it 3 times a day for 10 days. i used to get sinus infections all the time because i have many many allergies. i was told to try this it works. now i take garlic once a day and i haven't had any more sinus problems. also using peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil in a oil burner will clear out your nasal passages.
Hi, and sorry to hear about your problem -- sinus infections are no fun. I notice a lot of people here are advocating antibiotics. I wouldn't, personally -- although if you do nothing, that may be worse. Antibiotics will kill all the good bacteria in your gut, and my naturopathic doctor told me that 80% of our immune system is in our gut. Also, recurrent sinus infections are often (but not always) a sign of yeast overgrowth in our systems, not bacterial infections. Antibiotics will make this problem much worse. I too have suffered sinus problems after colds -- I almost always get one. What has worked like a charm for me is a combination of Simply Saline nasal spray (available at any mainstream pharmacy) combined with Source Naturals Colloidal Silver drops (a natural antibiotic, available a health food stores or online at www.vitacost.com). Some websites will tell you this is an unproven and risky thing, but these claims are mainly driven by advocates of pharmaceuticals. These two things finally cleared up my sinuses in 2 days... after I had a 2 month long sinus infection last year. Also, I recommend avoiding dairy, sugar, alcohol, and yeasted breads until your sinuses are totally clear -- these will lower your immune response and produce more mucus in your system. Also acupuncture might help you with this problem, it has been helpful for me. Good luck :)
Two Alternative Medical cures are Kyolic and Capsicum. Kyolic is aged Garlic and Capsicum is known as Cayenne Pepper.
Research conducted by Natural Holistic Clinic Ltd, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago over a year period show that when Capsicum is taken twice per day and Kyolic taken at bedtime, the sinus infection was decreased with some subjects and completely eliminated by others over a 12 week period.
The subjects were given 2 Capsicum capsules before breakfast and also before lunch, plus 2 Kyolic capsules before bed time.
Natural Holistic Clinic Ltd Website: www.naturalholistic.net have Links on many alternative medical healing programs.
Acupressure therapy and magneto therapy helps in relieving sinusitis. There are a few points on the face which i have mentioned in my website :
http://amembal4444.tripod.com
under the subtitle, headaches.
Hope this is useful.
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Dear go for long breathing excercises and these will help you suerly!!
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