What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the sinus lining. Sinuses are small, air-filled cavities located behind your cheekbones and brow. When these become blocked with fluid and inflamed, you can start to suffer from the symptoms of blocked nose or common cold, which can develop more into acute or chronic sinusitis.
When symptoms are ongoing for at least 10 days this is known as acute sinusitis. Symptoms occurring over 3 months is known as chronic sinusitis.
What are symptoms of sinusitis?
Symptoms can include any of the following:
- Blockage in your nose, often accompanied by yellow, thick discharge which may have an odour.
- Pressure and pain around the eyes, forehead, and face.
- Post-nasal drip, making you cough or must clear your throat, often worse in the mornings after lying down all night.
- reduced sense of smell
- Continual cold and feeling tired and run-down.
- Earache
Can sinusitis cause dizziness?
Yes, sinusitis can cause dizziness. Sinusitis, which is the inflammation or infection of the sinuses, can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, facial pressure, nasal congestion, and dizziness. The dizziness is typically caused by sinus pressure affecting the inner ear, which is responsible for maintaining balance. When the sinuses become blocked or swollen, this can disrupt normal airflow and drainage, leading to a sensation of lightheadedness or vertigo.
In some cases, if the sinus infection affects the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat, fluid may build up in the middle ear, resulting in balance issues and dizziness. This is more likely to occur with chronic sinusitis or when sinus infections are left untreated.
If you experience persistent dizziness along with sinusitis symptoms, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider, as they may recommend treatments such as decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal sprays to relieve the pressure and improve balance.
Can sinusitis cause ear pain?
Yes, sinusitis can cause ear pain. This is because the sinuses and ears are closely connected via the Eustachian tubes, which help regulate pressure between the middle ear and the throat. When sinusitis leads to inflammation or congestion, it can block the Eustachian tubes, causing pressure to build up in the middle ear. This pressure can result in ear pain or discomfort.
In addition to ear pain, sinusitis-related congestion may cause other symptoms like ear fullness, muffled hearing, or even fluid buildup in the ear. If the Eustachian tube blockage persists, it can sometimes lead to a secondary ear infection, further worsening the pain.
If ear pain accompanies sinusitis, it’s important to manage the underlying sinus condition with decongestants, nasal sprays, or other treatments recommended by a healthcare provider. If the ear pain is severe or persists, seeking medical advice is important to rule out complications like ear infections.
Will sinusitis go away on it's own?
Mild cases of sinusitis can go away on their own, especially if they are caused by viral infections like the common cold. Viral sinusitis typically resolves within 7 to 10 days without the need for antibiotics. In these cases, managing symptoms with rest, hydration, saline nasal rinses, and over-the-counter decongestants or pain relievers can help you feel better while the infection runs its course.
However, chronic sinusitis or bacterial sinus infections may not go away on their own and could require medical treatment. Bacterial sinusitis may persist for more than 10 days and may require antibiotics to clear the infection. Chronic sinusitis, which lasts for 12 weeks or more, often requires a more comprehensive treatment plan, including corticosteroid nasal sprays, antihistamines, or even surgery in severe cases.
If symptoms last longer than 10 days, worsen, or include fever or significant facial pain, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What is a naturopathic approach to sinusitis?
The approach will vary depending on whether the sinusitis is acute or chronic and the cause. Most people seeking a naturopathic approach are seeking to address chronic symptoms.
To identify the cause, first identify if there are dental issues contributing to the sinusitis, such as allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum or bone spur. You are also more likely to get sinusitis if you are a swimmer. It is also important to look at how this has been treated as some over-the-counter decongestants can make sinusitis worse when taken for a long period of time.
A naturopathic approach would be to strengthen the immune system. There are also many self-help measures that for some can give some temporary relief. This includes:
- Steaming –Steaming can help relieve congestion of the sinuses and support ENT problems. Ensure the steam is not so hot it would burn you. You can purchase a facial steamer or simply place your head over a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel to ensure the steam does not evaporate too much. You can add a few drops of a decongestant oil such as eucalyptus.
- Facial Massage –This can help relieve congestion and encourage lymphatic and mucus drainage. Use firm strokes with the pads of your fingers.
- Reflexology or Acupuncture –This has been shown for some to help bring some relief of chronic sinusitis.
- Warm Facial Compress –When things get very painful, holding a warm compress onto the area can help to soothe the pain and encourage mucus drainage.
- Oil Pulling –This is now commonly used to help clean the teeth and remove bacterial from the mouth. It has also been shown to help bacterial balance for the how gut/digestive tract and supports the mucus membranes where bacteria tend to thrive. Place a little coconut oil in your mouth and gargle for at least 15 minutes before spitting out. It has powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
- Sinus Irrigator –It is worth considering using a sinus irrigator, which is a device that uses salt water and can help flush out the mucus membranes. You should not attempt to irrigate your nostrils or sinuses with tap water as this can worsen or even cause infection.
What is the right diet for sinusitis?
There is no specific diet for sinusitis, but improving the diet to create a healthy gut and healthy immune system will help. It is also important to identify any food allergen or intolerance and avoid these, whilst repairing gut health and supporting the immune system.
It is important to ensure you have a diet rich in antioxidants, especially those rich in vitamin C, Vitamin A & beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Zinc and Selenium. Studies have shown these antioxidants can reduce the symptoms and duration of symptoms by 20%.
- Vitamin C Broccoli, Kale, Berries (especially strawberries), red peppers, kiwi, guava
- Vitamin A & Beta-carotene Carrots, sweet potato, spinach, dark leafy vegetables, cantaloupe melon, bell peppers, fish, liver, lycopene-rich tomatoes, watermelons, and guavas.
- Vitamin E Avocado’s, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, sweet potato, butternut squash, spinach
- Zinc Pumpkin seeds, shellfish, flax seeds, oysters, grass-fed beef, kidney beans, eggs, garlic, turkey, pork
- Selenium Brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, sardines, grass-fed beef, turkey, beef liver, chicken, egg, spinach.
- Quercetin Green Tea, citrus fruits, onions, red wine, capers, cherries, apples, broccoli, grapes.
Ensuring a diet of real food and low in processed foods, higher in nutrients is key. It is also important to opt for a diet high omega 3 (from oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines) and good protein and healthy fat. Omega 3 is very anti-inflammatory, so increasing these in our diet is key whilst keeping omega 6 (more inflammatory), lower. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is found in plants, such as flaxseeds, chia seeds and nuts, but it is quite hard for the body to convert it for use, especially because our diets tend to be higher in omega-6 fats, which negatively affect the process. It is generally advised, therefore, that we get our essential omega-3 fats from EPA and DHA which are found in oily fish and some animal foods.
Sugar can have a detrimental effect on all aspects of our health, but especially our gut and immune response as it is also very inflammatory. Don’t think of sugar as just refined white sugar, it is also found in high carbohydrate diets and diets high in fruit, especially dried fruit. Most processed foods are high in sugars and unhealthy fats and low in nutrients, so aiming for a diet free from processed foods, sugars, and inflammatory man-made seed oils is key.
What are key supplements and herbs to help with sinusitis?
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid. It is a powerful antioxidant, but also has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially good for nasal congestion, sinus issue, hay fever and some allergies. It can also help to boost the immune system. Studies have also can also protect from heart disease and cancer. – however, you should consult your medical practitioner if you are taking heart medication especially anticoagulants.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important for overall health, but in context of sinus, we will focus on the immune boosting benefits. Vitamin C plays a key role in the production of white blood cells, which are our protection against infection. Once these white blood cells are formed, vitamin C helps to protect them from damage.
Zinc
Zinc is another immune boosting nutrient, but is also a great anti-inflammatory mineral. It is needed for a variety of vital functions in the body including DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, healing, growth, and immune function. Our body does not produce or store zinc, so it relies completely on us providing this essential nutrient from our diet on a regular basis. This can be a challenge given our low nutrient western diet, depleted soils, and processed foods.
Selenium
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant but is very depleted in our soils so deficiencies in selenium are common. We associate selenium more with thyroid function, but it plays a vital role in our metabolism and immune function. Just like all antioxidants, selenium mops up free radicals and can help prevent DNA damage and oxidative stress – things that lead to degenerative disease.
Vitamin D3
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to poor gut and immune health, so ensuring this is topped up is vital. In the UK it is very difficult to get good levels of vitamin D in the winter months, so supplementation is often required. However, for those exhibiting symptoms and with limited sun exposure, such as night shift workers, it is often necessary to use vitamin D all year round.
All recommendations are intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information and recommendations provided are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice from your GP.
