| Most people will have experienced sinusitis and | | | | But it should be remembered that decongestants can |
| related sinus problems at some period during their | | | | cause nervousness and insominia and it is best that |
| lives as it very often develops after a common cold. | | | | they are only used as a short term fix as if you |
| So most people will have a reasonably good idea of | | | | continue to rely on them they do have a tendency |
| the symptoms and these can include a clogged up | | | | to become much less effective and they could lead |
| nose, pressure behind your cheekbones on either | | | | to dependency. |
| side of your nose and a pounding headache. | | | | Natural alternatives work better than antibiotics in |
| For some people these symptoms go away quickly | | | | many cases |
| but for many others it is not just a short term | | | | Now that I have outlined the symptoms lets consider |
| problem, but one that can turn into chronic sinusitis | | | | some natural alternatives as in many cases these |
| and that can last for three or four months and in | | | | alternatives can work better than antibiotics' with no |
| some cases can even run into years. | | | | side effects. |
| Apart from the symptoms that I have mentioned | | | | A good first suggestion is Vitamin C which is great as |
| above many sufferers of chronic sinusitis also have | | | | it helps to strengthen the immune system and at the |
| hoarseness of the voice, pressure around the area of | | | | same time reduce allergic reactions. |
| the nose, stuffiness, a runny nose, clear or colored | | | | Also it haa a direct effect on reducing sinus |
| mucus, a reduced sense of smell, an irritating dry | | | | congestion as it reduces levels of histamine. Histamine |
| cough, a sore and or irritated throat, tooth ache, | | | | is produced naturally in human body and it does |
| headache, or fever and a sense of fullness in the | | | | cause swelling and of the mucous membranes and as |
| ears. Clearly something to get rid of as quickly as | | | | it does it closes down the narrow openings from |
| possible. | | | | your nose to your sinuses. |
| Usually acute sinusitis is due to a bacterial or fungal | | | | Irrespective of what ever else you might do remedy |
| infection after one has had a common cold, the | | | | wise it would be a very good idea to take one gram |
| chronic form however is more probably due to an | | | | of vitamin C three times a day. |
| immune reaction to inhaled allergens. These can arise | | | | Another nutrient with very considerable benefits is |
| from pollen that is inhaled, smoke from cigarettes or | | | | Zinc. Zinc is known to be helpful to get rid of the |
| cigars,fumes and pollution from cars and air craft, | | | | common cold. |
| chemicals at work (from printers and copiers, for | | | | In so doing and thereby reducing the length of time |
| example), or sometimes to eating specific foods. | | | | suffering from a cold it will go a long way to reducing |
| Many doctors do not seem to give a jot when it | | | | the risk that sinusitis could arise. |
| comes to prescribing antibiotics for sinusitis. However | | | | Zinc helps to add a boost to your immune system |
| it is believed that at least one third of those that | | | | and in so doing you are in a much stronger position |
| they are trying to treat actually gain no benefit at all. | | | | to deal in a better way with either bacterial or fungal |
| Antibiotics do suppress your immune system and | | | | infections. |
| therefore prevent natural healing. | | | | Zinc is a key part of the enzymes that are needed |
| Sometimes surgery is performed to unblock the | | | | for essential fatty acids to do their job of reducing |
| sinuses and remove the thickened mucus but this | | | | inflammation and pain. |
| really should be reserved only to be used as a last | | | | There are many other natural remedies some of |
| resort. But with all things there is no cast iron | | | | which include using herbs like thyme in hot drinks and |
| guarantee that it will be successful. | | | | as this is but one in a series of articles I will expand |
| In many cases decongestants are suggested as they | | | | on these hot drinks and other natural remedies in my |
| can help to make breathing through the nose much | | | | next article. |
| easier. | | | | |