Sinusitis: all you should know
Sinusitis or sinus is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the area around the nose and forehead is swollen. The swollen area may cause difficulty in breathing through the nose and can cause severe headaches.
The sinuses are four pairs of cavities or air pockets that are located between both the eyes in the cheekbones and forehead. Inflammed cavities can result in blockage of mucus passage from the nose. This blockage can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the nose resulting in various kinds of infections. This is also called rhinosinusitis which can affect breathing in children and adults as well.
Types and causes of sinusitis
Depending on the duration and severity, the type of sinusitis has been categorized. It can be caused by the actions of viruses, bacteria, or even fungi, which can cause inflammation in the nasal tract.
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Acute sinusitis
This lives for the shortest duration of time and lasts up to 4 weeks. The symptoms of viral infection can last for 10 days and can be caused by the common cold. Most acute sinusitis is caused by viral infections, but there may be some seasonal infections involved as well. -
Subacute sinusitis
This type of sinusitis can show up symptoms for up to 12 weeks. It is mainly caused because of seasonal allergies or viral infections. -
Recurrent acute sinusitis
In this condition, a person is likely to experience at least four frequent occurrences of acute sinusitis in 1 year. Each of the phases of sickness should last for about 7 days. -
Chronic sinusitis
In this condition, symptoms last for up to 12 weeks. The symptoms involved in chronic sinusitis are found to be less severe than acute sinusitis. The chances of fever are rare with this condition. This condition happens due to bacterial infections mostly. Consistent allergies and nasal issues with deviation in the structures of the nasal septum are accompanied by this condition.
Symptoms underlying sinusitis
- Inflammation in the nasal area is the most commonly found symptom.
- A runny nose with thick and coloured mucus.
- There can be a flow of mucus down the back of the throat.
- There can be difficulty in breathing by the nose due to the blockage or mucus congestion in the nasal tract.
- There is pain with tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, or even the forehead.
- The olfactory senses seem to be highly affected, due to which the sense of smell and taste is reduced.
- There may be a pain in the ear.
- Headache is another common symptom.
- The pain may be felt in the jawlines as well.
- The feeling of stuffing in the throat and an urge to clear the throat.
- A person may even experience bad breath and sore throat.
- Although less likely but fatigue can follow the symptoms involved.
Myths related to sinusitis
Most people are afraid of catching sinusitis from another person, thinking that it may be contagious. The fact, however, is you may not catch sinusitis caused by bacteria, but you may catch it by the virus in the form of the common cold. Maintaining good hand hygiene, washing hands properly, and staying at a distance of two hands, may reduce the risk of catching sinusitis.
Risks involved
If your symptoms do not improve even after treatments for more than 10 days, or you are catching sinusitis frequently, you need to consult a doctor. Sinusitis, when left untreated, can, in rare cases, cause life-threatening damage to the brain in the form of meningitis. There may be an infection of the eyes as well.
Diagnosis of sinusitis
Diagnosis of sinusitis can be done through physical examination and some tests.
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Testings
There are numerous imaging tests, such as an X-ray, a CT scan, or an MRI, that can be used to diagnose the presence of sinusitis. -
Endoscopic
Nasal endoscopic is done with the help of a thin wire-like endoscopic tool that is used to see inside the nose to properly diagnose the conditions inside. -
Allergy
tests
In some cases, allergies are tested in a person to check if that person has sinusitis or a common cold.
Sinusitis
Can homoeopathy treat sinusitis?
Homoeopathy is known to have cured sinusitis efficiently. It has been found that homoeopathy can break the cycle of recurrent sinusitis by improving the immunity of the body. The improved immunity has a resistance to bacterial and viral colds. Homoeopathy also helps in the complete cure of infection of the sinuses and prevents the body from repeated attacks of sinusitis.
Some homoeopathic medicines are mainly prescribed to a patient with different symptoms of sinusitis.
Kali Bich
This medicine is prescribed to a person with nasal blockage and thick discharge, which can be stringy. The patient can also complain of pain at the root of the nose.
Arum Triphyllum
This medicine is typically administered to the patient with thin nasal discharge but still with a blockage in the nasal tract contributing to difficulty in breathing. The voice of such a patient may sound hoarse.
Hepar Sulphur
This medicine is given in the case where a patient has nasal congestion, which has been caused due to exposure to cold, dry air. This nasal congestion is accompanied by a cough that gets worse in the morning and evening.
Sticta
This medicine has healing properties for the patient suffering from nasal congestion, which leads to dryness in the mucous membrane. The patient may have the urge to consistently blow their nose, but there is no discharge from the nose.
Ammonium Carb
It is prescribed to a patient with nasal congestion that generally gets worst at night. Such a patient is unable to take a breath comfortably. This medicine helps in quick relief of breathing issues.
Conclusion
Sinusitis is a condition with hardly any permanent cure in any other medical treatment method. On the other hand, homoeopathy is found to have given exceptionally amazing results in the treatment of sinusitis. The above-mentioned medicines are strictly to be taken under the consultation of a homoeopathic doctor.
