SINUSITIS AND ITS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

INTRODUCTION

Sinusitis is also known as sinus infection or rhinosinusitis. It is a disease of the upper respiratory tract in which there occurs inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. A sinus is an empty space present inside the face and is filled with air. But when there occurs bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses, the inflammation of the tissue lining occurs. This leads to excessive production of mucus in the spaces and thereby causes their blockage. The proper drainage of mucus doesn’t take place and nose gets stuffed. Pain and pressure in face and difficulty in breathing are some of the common symptoms of sinusitis.

The treatment of sinusitis involves some oral medications which are beneficial in its management. A healthy diet and regular physical exercise are also helpful in its management.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SINUSITIS?

Sinusitis is of the following different types:

Acute sinusitis: It is usually caused by viral infection and lasts for less than a month.

Subacute sinusitis: In this, the symptoms of sinusitis remain for 1 month to 3 months.

Chronic sinusitis: It is caused by bacterial infection of the sinuses. It lasts for atleast 12 weeks.

Recurrent sinusitis: It is recurrent in nature and lasts for less than 2 weeks. It occurs for more than four times a year.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SINUSITIS?

Sinusitis is caused due to some of the following causes:

• Tissue growths in nasal tract or sinuses known as nasal polyps
• Deviation of nasal septum
• Infections of the respiratory tract
• Allergies such as hay fever
• Some medical disorders like cystic fibrosis, AIDS, etc

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF SINUSITIS?

There are some factors which increase the risk of a person developing sinusitis. Following are the risk factors of sinusitis:

• Weakened immune system
• Suffering from asthma
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Cigarette smoking
• Infection of teeth
• Any fungal infection
• Tumor of the nasal tract
• Exposure to toxins present in environment

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SINUSITIS?

The common signs and symptoms of sinusitis are:

• Thick discharge from nose
• Greenish-white nasal discharge
• Inflammation of the nasal tract
• Postnasal discharge
• Stuffed nose
• Pain and swelling around eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead
• Decreased sense of smell
• Pain in ear
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Fever
• Headache
• Aching in upper jaw or teeth
• Double vision
• Mental confusion

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF SINUSITIS?

If sinusitis is not treated properly, then it can lead to serious health complications. Following are some of the complications of sinusitis:

• Reduced vision
• Blindness
• Inflammation of meninges known as meningitis
• Any skin infection

HOW SINUSITIS CAN BE PREVENTED?

Sinusitis can be kept at bay by taking some of the following steps:

• Maintaining personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap before meals
• Avoid contact with persons who are sick
• Say no to cigarette smoking
• Avoid tobacco intake
• Using humidifier

CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE’S MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of sinusitis:

1. Kapha Powder

This is a mixture of pure herbs & minerals which contains –  Sitopladi churna, Godanti bhasma, Laxmi vilas rasa, etc. The powder is beneficial in a variety of diseases relating to respiratory disease, digestive system, immune system, etc. It can work in the management of cough, chronic fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, etc.

Recommended Dosage– Take 1 Sachet twice daily with normal water.

2. Kas Shwas Hari Rasa

Kas Shwas Hari rasa is an excellent remedy for upper respiratory related problems. It balances Kapha and reduces Vata Dosha. The tablets contain – Shwas kasa chintamani rasa, Sutshekhar rasa, Laxmivilas nardiya rasa, Talisadi churna processed in Bhawana Vasa Kwath. It is traditionally administrated in problems like recurring cough, migraine, asthma, sinusitis, etc.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

3. Cough go tablets

Cough Go tablets help in balancing the kapha dosha. It shows effective results in Chronic Cough,common cold, and all respiratory diseasesalong with Seasonal Allergy, Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma. It contains pure herbal ingredients like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), Laxmi vilas rasa,  Tankan bhasam etc. These ingredients contain natural Kapha doshahar properties and help in curing all respiratory diseases and diseases related to Kapha dosha, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Immuno-modulator, Expectorant properties.

Recommended Dosage:Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

4. Broncho care syrup

Broncho Caresyrup is herbo mineral and purely ayurvedic formulation. It act on Vata and Kapha dosha from which it mainly reduces Kapha. It means it reduces phelgm production in the lungs and balances sections in the body. It exerts mucolytic and expectorant action on the respiratory system. It increases digestive firewhich help improve appetite. It also help in chronic bronchitisand asthma symptoms. Broncho care is antioxidant, anti inflammatory, immuno modulator and a good detoxifier.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily.

5. Anu Tailam

Anu tailam is the wonderful Ayurvedic nasal oil that is a very effective remedy for allergies, sinusitis, headache, etc. This herbal oil has both the lubricating and cooling effect. It cleanses and moistens the mucous membranes, kills bacteria and fungi, thin mucus and stimulates its flow, shrinks swelling in the mucous membrane of the sinus. Anu tailam is very refreshing and can be used for mental fatigue also. The base oil of Anu Tailam is Sesame oil and other ingredients like– Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Brihati (Solanum indicum), Chandan (Santalum album), Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), etc. It possesses anti-bacterial properties and eliminates the excess mucus from the nasal cavity and balances adequate secretion of mucus.

Recommended Dosage– Put 2-3 drops of Anu tailam in each nostril.

6. Trikatu tablets

Trikatu Tablet helps to eliminate excess Kapha or mucous from the body, supports respiratory system, manages weight, helps to take out impurities or ama from the body, supports healthy detoxification, reduces swelling. This tablet is made up of equal parts of three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum) that maintains the metabolism in the body. The regular use of this tablet balances the thyroxin hormone and treats hyperthyroidism naturally. It is an Appetizer and it improves digestion, supports normal gastric function, and normal circulation, Flatulence, Loss of appetite, Abdominal bloating, Abdominal distension, Indigestion, Hyperthyroidism, Belching, Tinnitus, Boosts metabolism, Weight management.

Recommended Dosage:Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.