Comprising of hollow cavities under the frontal half of our head, the sinus are pockets of air that are connected to the nasal passage and are lined with a mucous membrane that acts as a sieve for bacteria, dust particles and pollutants. Sinusitis is the infection that occurs in this mucous membrane and can be extremely irritating in its most chronic form.
The mainstream Treatment for sinusitis consists of antibiotics for infection, saline washes for swelling, decongestants to lighten blockage and over the counter pain medication like acetaminophen to relieve the symptoms like headaches and other pains. Drinking loads of fluids; cold and hot, rest, hot compress and use of a humidifier will also make the patient feel a lot better.
In extreme conditions your doctor might recommend sinus surgery however it is not a very effective cure and may not work on a most types of sinusitis and is therefore a last resort.
Even though it is not debilitating Sinusitis is one of the most common illnesses in our modern world, often mistaken as common cold or allergies it is often undiagnosed and can plague individuals for long periods of time. If you are prone to it often you will find yourself in a constant cycle that involves medication, doctors and steroid nasal sprays that when taken long term can be detrimental to your over all health.
A better idea is to prevent Sinusitis from happening by steering clear of anything that can cause cold or allergic reactions. If they occur periodic rinsing of the nasal passage in a saline solution will also do loads to prevent sinusitis.
A simple yet effective method of preventing sinusitis is to correct our diet. This is crucial as an unbalanced skewed dietary pattern can promote common cold and nasal congestion, which is the seed of sinusitis.
Eat a diet that is rich in citrus fruits and thus vitamin C. A large variety of cooked and raw vegetables is also important. Whole grains are better than wheat; animal protein should only be consumed in small amounts with a predilection for fish over meat and white over red. The most important dietary component is water and lots of it. Make sure the water is room temperature or lukewarm. Both extreme heat and cold is not good for the condition. Along with Alcohol, greasy food and smoking things to avoid are over eating, irregular food habits and having a full meal just before going to bed or too late at night.