Sinusitis Causes, Treatment and Relief

Most people consider respiratory problems like the common cold and sinusitis as normal because people usually encounter any of these diseases at some point in their lives.  While symptoms of the common cold may subside on their own without taking any medication, sinusitis may require treatment either to obtain relief from its symptoms and to prevent it from developing into serious conditions like cysts and cancer.

Sinusitis is characterized by a clogged nose, sneezing, runny nose, nasal discharge, pain in the nasal passages and frontal headache.  Hay fever, certain types of allergy, viral infection, dental abscess and a poor immune system may aggravate your sinusitis by causing the mucous membranes to swell.  Blocked sinuses make it easy for bacteria to grow and cause sinus infection.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) maintains that sinusitis is caused by wind heat.  Wind interferes with normal lung function and prevents mucous discharge from flowing freely and out of the sinuses.  When mucous is trapped, body heat may cause it to thicken into a yellowish or greenish discharge, a clear sign that bacterial infection has already set in.

Causes of Sinusitis
TCM proposes that sinusitis may be caused by any of the following:

Phlegm heat.  Some foods are believed to cause excessive production of phlegm or mucous, such as milk, cheese and dairy products, processed, deep fried and oily foods and alcoholic drinks.  Taking too much of these foods may cause nasal congestion, sinus pain, thick greenish or yellowish discharge, headache and earache.

Liver qi stagnation.  Liver qi or liver energy promotes overall health and well-being.  Your liver is responsible for filtering blood that flows throughout your body.  Sluggish liver function or liver qi (energy) stagnation generates internal heat that rises to the sinus cavity causing nasal congestion.  Some signs of liver qi stagnation include swelling, nasal congestion, and a dry stuffy nose.  Prolonged congestion may lead to sinus infection characterized by sinus pain and nasal discharge.

Lung and spleen qi deficiency.  The lungs and spleen may also be affected by stress coming from too much work, worry or anxiety, mental strain and an excessive consumption of cold, raw or damp food.  Chronic diseases can also make the spleen weak.  Poor lung and spleen activity may prevent the normal transformation and smooth flow of fluid all over your body.

Kidney deficiency.  A chronic illness may also take its toll on your kidneys.  While kidney deficiency usually affects older people, a young child may also be born with weak kidneys as a result of poor prenatal care or genetic predisposition.

Treatment
Early treatment of sinusitis is important to prevent complications like sinus infection and the formation of cysts and cancerous cells.  It is best to see a natural therapist who can check you and your medical history.  Once the cause of your sinusitis is determined, a natural treatment plan consisting of dietary changes, herbal and vitamin supplementation and other home remedies may be outlined for you.  Acupuncture also helps restore liver qi.

Sinusitis Relief
The following home remedies can provide sinusitis relief:

1. Irrigate your nasal passages with a saline solution of salt dissolved in warm water
2. Apply a hot compress on painful or inflamed areas
3. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C to boost immune system
4. Drink honeysuckle tea or fenugreek tea daily
5. Ask your natural therapist to recommend proper dosage of herbal supplements such as mushroom extract, Chinese wormwood, Astragalus 8 Formula, and goldenseal to strengthen your immune system