Healing Sinusitis Naturally

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, air-filled cavities in the bones of the face that are fully formed after age 7. The linings of the sinuses are filled with mucus-producing cells. The blanket of mucus they form is carried toward the openings of the sinuses by the rhythmic beating of tiny hairs known as cilia. The openings of the sinuses into the nose are very narrow, only 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 of an inch) across. When the openings of the sinuses are clogged, the sinuses swell and become inflamed.

Almost all acute (short-term) cases of sinusitis are caused by colds viruses. Sinus inflammation caused by a cold usually resolves when the cold goes away. Longer-term sinus infections, those lasting 7 to 10 days or more, are usually caused by bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the most common causes of bacterial sinusitis, although the hospital-borne bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas cause the most persistent cases. Dental infections may cause 5 to 10 percent of all infections involving the maxillary sinuses behind the nose; other causes of sinusitis include barotraumas from deep sea diving or air travel, mucus abnormalities such as cystic fibrosis, and chemical irritants.

Antibiotics cannot help sinus infections caused by viruses.(Despite the fact that antibiotics do not help, survey data show that doctors prescribe them in 24.2 percent of cases overall, and to almost all smokers who come in with colds.) Doctors usually prescribe a short-term course of antibiotic treatment when sinus inflammation has persisted more than 10 days. When the patient does not respond to antibiotics, CT (computed tomography) scans are ordered to rule out tumors and other serious conditions.

Food treatment won’t heal the infection that causes sinusitis. For you this, you need supplements. The basic nutritional supplements are these:

• Citrus Bioflavonoids: 1,000 milligrams per day
• Vitamin A: 5,000 IU per day (Women of childbearing age should be careful not to exceed this dose.)
• Vitamin C: 500 milligrams 3-4 times a day, or antioxidant foods as for colds, above
• Zinc picolinate: 30 milligrams per day

\Food treatment will heal the loss of ability to taste that usually accompanies sinusitis. Anatomical research has found that the neurons that carry taste and smell information to the brain die on the side of the face affected by sinusitis. They also die on the opposite of the face even if the sinuses on that side are clear. Eating flavorful foods stimulates nerves on both sides of the face, and lowers the probability that nerves will die.

One flavorful food you must avoid if you have sinusitis is curry. Curries, made with turmeric, contain curcumin, a chemical that activates a gene known as p53. This gene induces apoptosis, or “cell suicide,” in healthy nerve tissues underlying the sinuses. Anything that stimulates p53 should be avoided, including curry, and especially curry served with green tea.