Introduction:
Sinusitis also known as rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages and sinuses, usually caused by an infection.
Sinusitis is known as Pinas in Ayurveda. Sinuses are the hollow cavities that are present in the region of the skull. In this condition, the sinuses become inflamed and are blocked with mucus which causes congestion in the nasal passage.
A person who has a sinus infection may also have a cough, a fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions.
There are four sinuses located within the skull:
- Frontal sinuses – above the eyes in the eyebrows
- Ethmoid sinuses – between the eyes and behind the nose bridges
- Maxillary sinuses – in both cheekbones
- Sphenoid sinuses – behind the ethmoid in the upper nose and behind the eyes.
Causes:
- Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps can block the nasal passages
- Deviated nasal septum – the wall between the nostrils may restrict or block the sinus passage
- Respiratory tract infections- Infections in the respiratory tract may inflame and thicken your sinus membranes and block the mucus drainage.
- Allergies such as hay fever
- Cystic fibrosis, which allows thick mucus to build up in the lungs and other mucus membrane linings
- Aeroplane travel, which exposes you to a high concentration of germs
- Tobacco smoking
- Dental infection
- Any recent contact with mold
- A history of allergies
Symptoms:
- Nasal congestion causing difficulty in breathing through your nose
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
- Pain, tenderness and swelling around eyes, and sinus areas
- Severe headache, earache and facial pain
- Running nose with thick yellow discharge or post nasal drip
- Low-grade fever and inflammatory symptoms
- Lack of appetite and poor digestion
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Itching in the eyes which is similar to allergies
- Fatigue
- Toothache
- Ear ache
Types:
Based on chronological
- Acute sinusitis: most common type and lasts up to 1 to 4 weeks.
- Recurrent acute sinusitis: repeated attack at smaller intervals.
- Sub-acute sinusitis: symptoms longer than the normal acute period for between 4 and 12 weeks.
- Chronic sinusitis: symptoms may persists or continually return after 12 weeks
Based on location
- Maxillary sinusitis: pain or pressure in the cheek area e.g. toothache
- Frontal sinusitis: pain or pressure above the eyes, headache particularly in
the forehead.
- Ethmoidal sinusitis: can cause pain between/behind the eyes, sides or upper part of the nose, headache
- Sphenoid sinusitis: pain or pressure behind the eyes, often felt at the top of
the head, over the mastoid process (behind the ear) or back of the head.
Diagnosis:
- Physical examination- by taking the proper case history and palpating the sinuses,
- examining the nasal passage, etc.
- X ray of the sinuses
- Ct scan or MRI
- Rhinoscopy
Sinusitis In Ayurveda:
According to Ayurveda the main site of kapha dosha is the head and the nose is the gateway of the head. Hence similar symptoms of sinusitis are mentioned under Nasa roga (disease of nose) and Shiro roga (disease of head). It can be correlated as Kaphaja siroroga and Suryaavartha under Siroroga and also as Dushtapratishyaya in Nasa roga.
Ayurvedic treatment for sinusitis:
The Ayurvedic approach to sinusitis treatment is multifaceted and can involve a combination of detoxification processes through Panchakarma, oral medicines, dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Therapies like-
- Nasyam
- Lepanam
- Thalam
- Vamanam
- Shirodhara
are commonly practiced depending on the dosha predominance and severity.
Shanti Ayurvedic Clinic – (Dr. Neelam Tomar) provides you the best Ayurvedic treatment for Sinusitis, which cures this condition in a natural way without causing any side effects.