14/06/2023
SINUSITIS - Dr. Debbie Bredenkamp.
It's a challenging time of the year where so many suffer with sinusitis, and with this comes headaches, a dripping nose, fatigue, facial pain, coughing and congestion. My approach to treatment includes selecting appropriate remedies to drain the sinuses and decrease recurrences (reflexology can also help), herbal tinctures to kill the germs and boost immunity, injections (where necessary) to regulate inflammation and a NETI POT to rinse the nasal passages and maintain them.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses get inflamed. The inflammation is often due to an infection, caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. The sinus infection causes intermittent blockage of the sinus opening.
Sinusitis can be acute (going on less than four weeks), subacute (4-8 weeks) or chronic (going on for 8 weeks or more).
What are the symptoms of acute sinusitis?
The symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
• Facial pain or pressure
• Nasal stuffiness
• Nasal discharge
• Congestion or cough
• Loss of smell
Acute sinusitis may also include some additional symptoms, such as fever, bad breath or toothache.
Homeopathic treatment is fast acting and effective in acute and chronic sinusitis. The treatment of sinusitis does not only drain the sinuses and kill the germs but it also acts on the root cause thus preventing recurrences.
Sinusitis and Natural Treatment
Unfortunately, sinus infections are pretty common these days and especially for Joburgers with our polluted air. As common, however is unnecessary treatment with antibiotics. Remember that antibiotics can do nothing to viruses and most sinus infections are caused by viruses. Our nasal passages are colonized by millions of micro-organisms involved in cleaning and protecting the nasal passages and little hairs (cila) that keep the mucous flowing. Antibiotics kill these micro-organisms and compound the problem in the long run. Also, the over-prescription of antibiotics only further the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Many doctors will also recommend nasal corticosteroids, decongestants, pain medications, fever reducers, antihistamines, mucolytics and other drugs. It’s important to read the side effects of any and all recommended drugs (and these are extensive). In my experience, these medicines do not cure – at best they offer temporary relief but then cause the condition to worsen or become more reliant on heavier doses of these noxious meds with serious side effects.
Most sinus infections respond well to natural sinusitis treatment. There are so many natural options to choose from that are not just effective, but are also affordable and easy to do in the comfort of your home Like:
Hydration – drink plenty of water and herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, rooibos, olive leaf etc.
Balance the gut flora – as you replace good probiotics in the gut with probiotics capsules, kefir, sauerkraut, plain yoghurt,
Kombucha etc., – the flora in your sinuses benefit too and general immunity is increased.
Avoid sugars, genetically modified and refined foods as these only feed the bad flora, increases systemic inflammation and create an ideal environment for nasty microbes like viruses to thrive.
Drink natural decongestants and anti-inflammatories.
Tonics, teas and shots made with naturally decongesting ingredients like ginger, turmeric, lemon, horseradish, garlic, cayenne and apple cider vinegar are wonderful at helping to clear out nasal passages and provide relief. They’re also fantastic at boosting and supporting your immune system, plus they give you anti-inflammatory benefits too.
You can sip on ginger tea using a teabag (like Pukka 3 Ginger) or why not try making your own?
Turmeric and Ginger Herbal Tea
~ 1 cup hot water (not boiling)
~ Juice of 1/2 lemon
~ 1 to 2-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
~ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (or 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric, grated)
~ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
~ Pinch of fresh ground black pepper
~ Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
~ 1 cup hot water (not boiling)
~ 2-4 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
~ 1 tablespoon raw honey
~ Squeeze of lemon
~ 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix together and sip
• Rinse you sinuses with a neti pot or saline nasal spray (not more than twice daily and not when you are very infected)
• Take immune boosting herbs – echinacea, astragalus, hydrastis and olive leaf are a few of the best
• Visit me for biopuncture injections into the sinus area – they are administered just under the skin and very effective in loosening the gunk and decreasing inflammation
• Use hot and cold compressors on the face – some people do better with heat and some do better with cold
• Take Vit C – please note that most Vit C's are made from pure ascorbic acid and this can aggravate sinusitis. I stock a liposomal and GNLD brand that is better
• Use the appropriate homeopathic remedy – and there are many to chose from so a proper consultation is always recommended.
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