Sinusitis is most often the revenge of a lingering infection or allergy, which can impede proper nasal discharge. This congestion becomes a breeding ground for more and more infections which then cause the lining in the sinuses to become inflammed and swollen.

Every patient of sinusitis gets bored with antibiotics, nasal decongestants, nasal corticosteroid sprays, pain killers (to reduce headache, congestion and so on), saline nasal sprays, inhalers (to relieve sasal blockage), anti histamines, expectorants, humidifiers and surgery, as they give a temporary relief.

In case the nose blockage and other symptoms persist for a very long time and don't respond to medical treatment, surger is advised by the ENT surgeon. FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) is usually advised by the surgeons.

These antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines give them a difinite relief until their concentration exist in the blood. The reults are only temporary with plenty of side effects! Then the patients are usually prescribed decongestant nasal drops, sprays, which when used daily can be addictive and make sinuses worse with various side effects. These drugs lead to more congestion and swelling of the nasal passages.

Next move is seeking surgery, which makes the patients more puzzuled as it gives only short time relief. Surgical treatment of sinusitis does not mean they would not occur again. Also there are side effects of surgery for sinusitis which may include meningitis, blindness, or double vision.

Finally the patient enters the clinic of a good homeopath with huge case files of treatment undergonse so far! With homeopathy sinusitis can be treated without surgery and side effects. There are 2 things involved:

• Eradication of allergic tendency
• Enhancing immunity

This is possible in homeopathy through constitutional therapy, which means individual study of the patient.

Before prescribing a remedy, a homeoapathic doctor would take into account the persons's constitutional type. A person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional and intellectual make up. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. The remedies must then be allowed to work for a while on its own to bring about healing in the patient.

The progression of the chronic form to an acute form of sinusitis is quite a probable occurance especially during the course of the treatment regimen. This progressive worsening of the condition can often come about along with a very significant and considerable drainage of mucus and old pus from the nasal passages of the patient.

It is important not to interfere with this healing process and to let the situation run itself. A lasting cure can be gained if the homeopathic treatment is carried out under the guidance of an experienced homeopath. Such a treatment will also be much more holistic in its results as far as the health of the patient is concerned.

We treat sinusitis to eradicate the allergic diathesis as we do for allergic rhinitis and asthma cases. Acute, sub-acute, chronic as well as reccurent sinusitis, all respond favorably to homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy treatment is especially indicated for chronic and recurrent varieties of sinusitis, which do not respond very well to conventional treatment.

Homeopathy can assist in improving the immunity or vitality in patients of sinusitis so that they do not fall prey to frequent infections. Over a period of time with continued homeopathic treatment, the attacks of sinusitis become less frequent and less severe and finally permanently cured in such patient.

Homeopathy remedies help in avoiding the need for repeatedly taking antibiotics as well as keep the patient away from surgery.

There are 138 homoeopathy medicines which give great relief in sinusitis. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathic doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic remedies of sinusitis are tailor made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same type of drugs and surgery.

Homeopathic medicines are natural and safe with no probability of side effects. They are gentle and easy to take, are regulated by FDA and prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of USA.

For total cure the homeopathic treatment must be taken seriously for about 12 to 24 months depending upon the severity of each particular case.

For online homeopathic treatment of sinusitis, you may e-mail us on dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com

"You are coughing and sneezing, have a runny nose, tired and exhausted. You think that you might be getting a cold. Later, when the medicines you have been taking to relieve the sufferings of common cold are not working and you've now got a terrible unyielding headache, you finally drag yourself to a homeopathic doctor."

After listening to your history and symptoms, examining your face and forehead, and perhaps after an x-ray of para nasal sinuses, the homeopathic doctor says you have SINUSITIS.

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection of one or more of the sinuses. A sinus is a hollow air space in the skull. These are also known as para nasal sinuses since they surround the nasal cavity. The para nasal sinuses include:

• Frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area.
• Maxillary sinuses inside each cheek bone.
• Ethmoid sinuses just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes.
• Sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

The primary functions of these sinuses are to warm, moisten and filter the air in the nasal cavity. They also play a role in our ability to vocalize certain sounds. The also make our skull lighter to carry on the vertebral bones as they are filled with air.

Each sinus has an opening into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucus, and each of this is joined with the nasal pasages by a continuous mucus membrane lining. Therefore, anything that causes a swelling in the nose can affect the sinuses. When people say, "I am having a sinus attack," they usually are referring to symptoms in one or more of four pairs of cavities or spaces as para nasal sinuses.

Sinusitis occurs when the mucus-producing linings of the sinuses become inflamed, and by far the most frequent cause of this condition is blockage of the ostia, that is, opening which drains the sinus. Once these opening are clogged, foreign material can't get out, oxygen levels drop, and bacteria in the nasal cavity enter the sinuses, causing the sinus walls to swell and fill with pus. This may further lead to damage to the sinus walls and cilia, the hair-like structures that help expel foreign matter. Large mushroom-shaped growths called nasal polyps can also appear inside the nose, interfering with breathing and setting the stage for other problems.

The most common cause of blockage of the ostia is an upper respiratory tract viral infection, such as a common cold or the flu. These conditions increase secretions in the nasal passages, provoke swelling of the sinus walls, and cause the cilia to malfunction.

Allergic reactions can have the same effect. Hay fever often leads to sinusitis, but allergies to dust, animal dander, foods, smoke, and other pollutants can also trigger reactions that result in blocked sinuses.

In some cases, the ostia are blocked by unusual anatomical features - preexisting nasal polyps, a deviated septum, foreign bodies, or tumors, for example.

Certain diseases, including diabetes and HIV infections, can create a predisposition to sinusitis.

Sinusitis is also common among people with chronic tonsillitis and adenoid problems.

Sinusitis can be classified based on the sinus that is involved:

• Frontal Sinusitis : Headache while rising up in the morning and on stooping is the characteristic of frontal sinus involvement. If there is pain over the forehead when the frontal sinuses are touched it may indicate inflammation of the frontal sinuses.
• Maxillary Sinusitis : Infection in maxillary sinus can cause the upper jaw and teeth to ache and the cheeks become tender to touch.
• Sphenoid Sinusitis : Drainage of mucus from the sphenoids and other sinuses flow down to the posterior of throat as POST NASAL DRIP, that cause a sore throat and irritate the membranes lining the larynx causing hoarseness of voice.
• Ethmoid Sinusitis : Ethmoid inflammation also can cause tenderness; it can be felt when the sides of the nose are touched, a loss of smell and a stuffy nose is present. Although the sphenoid sinuses are less frequently affected, infection in this area can cause earaches, neck pain and deep aching at the top of the head.

Other Symptoms :

• Nasal congestion.
• Nasal obstruction.
• Thick nasal discharge (yellow or greenish).
• Sensation of fullness in the face.
• Sensation of pressure behind the eyes.
• Post nasal drip.
• Mild fever and headache over one or both the eyes.
• Tapping, jolting or jarring the tender area hurts.
• Foul smell in nose.
• Nasal sounding speech.
• Dry tickling cough.
• Tiredness.
• Aggravated by air travel.

Sinusitis can also be classified based on the duration of complaints :

• Acute Sinusitis : This lasts for less than 4 weeks.
• Sub-acute Sinusitis : This lasts for 4-12 weeks.
• Chronic Sinusitis : This lasts for 12 weeks or more.

Diagnosis of sinusitis is largely based on the history and clinical findings of tenderness over the affected sinuses. However, the physician may prescribe certain tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• X-ray of the sinuses showing haziness in the area of the affected sinus indicating an inflammation.
• CT scan can show swelling in the deep sinuses.

Complications arising from sinusitis are quite serious :

• Spead of the infection through the bones of the skull to the covering of the brain, that is, meninges (meningitis).
• In severe cases, the infection may spread to the brain itself resulting in an abscess.
• Spread of infection to the eyes.
• Asthma and bronchitis development.
• Loss of smell and taste.
• Blood clots (aneurysms) interfering with blood supply to brain.

• Inhaling steam 2-3 times/day is the best thing for sinusitis.
• Warm compress can be used on the nose to open up sinuses.
• Warm water gargles to soothe the throat.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• When sneezing always use a handkerchief.
• Take frequent walks in the open air.
• Keep your diet healthy and nutritious with green vegetables which help in stimulating the expulsion of secretions.

• Don't blow the nose very hard during the acute attack.
• Don't exert; take rest.
• Avoid extremes of climate, especially dry climate.
• Don't contact with people who have cold or at least don't share their clothings, beverages and so on.
• Avoid swimming at unknown places where chances of contamination are more.
• Don't smoke and avoid cold food and drinks.