Words: Dr Naveen Kumar BOGGARAPU
Question: Doctor, I’ve been diagnosed and treated for chronic sinusitis, for a couple of years, or more. Each time I am put on conventional medications, I feel all right, but the problem seems to only return often with a bang. A friend of mine told me that he got over the problem with homeopathic treatment. I’d like to explore the possibility, but I thought of understanding the homeopathic approach before I consult a physician in the speciality. Please respond.
— M N K, Guwahati
Answer: The term, sinuses, refers to the four cavities, or spaces, in the head. If these cavities become inflamed, or swollen, the condition is known as sinusitis. If this condition lasts for more than 12 weeks, it is categorised as chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis leads to a build-up of mucous that can sometimes make breathing difficult. Home remedies may help relieve certain symptoms associated with this condition, but in most cases, medication is required.
Primary Symptoms:
Sinusitis usually affects adults, but in some cases children may be affected as well. Symptoms of this condition can be classified as primary symptoms and secondary symptoms. In order to be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, at least two of the primary symptoms should be present.
- Thick discharge from the nose, or discharge that flows down the back of the throat. This discharge may be yellow, or green, in colour
- Difficulty in breathing through the nose, because of nasal congestion, or nasal blockage
- Swelling, tenderness and pain around the nose, eyes, cheeks and forehead
- Loss of smell and taste [in adults]
- Persistent cough in children.
Secondary Symptoms:
- Pain in the ear; blocked feeling
- Pain in the teeth and upper jaw
- Cough, worse at night
- Sore throat
- Persistent foul breath
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Frequent headaches.
Causes:
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by a number of factors, viz.,
- Nasal polyps. Tissue growth in the nasal passages that block the air path and allow mucous to build up
- Deviated nasal septum. The septum is a wall that separates the nostrils. In some cases, this wall may deviate and block the sinus passages
- Respiratory tract infections. Cold is the most common infection responsible for chronic sinusitis. Such infections can thicken the sinus membranes and block the passageway for mucous to drain out. The infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi
- Allergies. Allergies, such as hay fever [allergic rhinitis], can block the sinus passages and lead to chronic sinusitis. Asthma may also trigger chronic sinusitis. A reaction to aspirin may, likewise, cause a blockage in the sinus passages
- Other medical conditions: HIV and cystic fibrosis can also cause chronic sinusitis. Patients suffering from immune dysfunction may have a high risk of chronic sinusitis.
Homeopathic Treatment:
Homeopathy is different from conventional medicine, where individuals are diagnosed on the basis of just the illness, or disease — and, the same medicine is given for each condition.
Homeopathy prescribes a different remedy for a given illness, depending on a multitude of factors, such as the personality, or constitution, of the individual, their state of mind and lifestyle. In other words, the illness may be the same by name, but the presentation in no two individuals is the same — so, they are given two different homeopathic remedies that suit their unique personality, or ‘individuality.’
Silicea terra. This is one of the most useful homeopathic remedies prescribed for sinus infections with headache. The headache is predominantly on right side.
Belladonna. This is useful when the patient with a sinus headache presents with a smothered discharge. This remedy is most useful when a sinusitis patient also complains of a brutal headache.
Kali bichromicum. This is a homeopathic ‘remedy of choice’ for sinusitis with a stringy, chewing gun-like, discharge dripping into the throat.
Sinusitis can be usefully and tangibly treated with the help of homeopathic constitutional treatment. Consult a professional homeopath today — for safe, long-lasting results.
