Treatments for Sinusitis - Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Treatments for Sinusitis

Nutritional Therapies.     If early inflammations are caused by food allergies (chronic sinusitis), a strict diet is implemented which eliminates common food allergens such as milk, wheat, eggs, citrus fruits, corn, and peanut butter. Murray and Pizzorno describe several food allergy elimination diets which have proven effective in treating sinus disorders. Most sinusitis diets require that patients drink large amounts of fluids such as diluted vegetable juices, soups, and herb teas. Simple sugar consumption (including fruit sugars) should also be limited.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapies.     According to Murray and Pizzorno, both types of sinusitis can be treated with vitamin and mineral supplements, including vitamins C and A, betacarotene, bioflavonoids, and zinc lozenges. These should only be taken under the supervision of a physician, and Murray and Pizzorno do not recommend prolonged supplement treatments. They also suggest that thymus extract has helped some patients with sinusitis. Bee pollen, and vitamin B complex with extra vitamin B ₆ (pyrodoxine) and pantethenic acid (B ₅ ), help sufferers increase their immunity to new infections and may relieve mild sinus congestion.

Botanical Medicines.     Rees and Willey indicate that for some patients, heat, volatile oils, and antibacterial botanicals are helpful in draining sinuses and preventing chronic infection. Intranasal douches with goldenseal tea provide relief, as does swabbing the nasal passages with oil of bitter orange. Murray and Pizzorno also suggest that menthol or eucalyptus packs held over the sinuses are sometimes helpful. Hot botanical liquids help the mucus flow and relieve congestion and sinus pressure. Balch and Balch suggest that mild sinusitis can be alleviated with the following herbs: anise and horehound, echinacea, fenugreek, lobelia, marshmallow, mullein, red clover, and rose hips.

Hydrotherapy.     Dr. Richard Barrett of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, states in Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide that the dry heat of a sauna or hydrotherapy is the most helpful treatment for relieving sinus congestion. In the early stages, nasal lavages of salt water and steam inhalations help loosen up sinus mucus for secretion. An alternative is applying a hot compress over the sinuses for three minutes, followed by a cold compress for 30 seconds.

Another method, according to Barrett, is to inhale hot steam. This can be easily done by boiling a quart of water, and standing over the water, covering the head with a towel while inhaling the steam. Small amounts of aromatic herbs such as mint or eucalyptus are sometimes added to the hot water.

Homeopathic Therapies.     According to Stephen Cummings and Dana Ulman in Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine , homeopathic therapies have been used for several hundred years to treat sinus infections. Depending on the cause of sinus inflammation and the symptoms, Arsenicum album, Nux vomica, Mercuriius iodatus and Silicea have been used with some effectiveness. A trained homeopath can prescribe the right remedies according to the cause and symptoms of sinusitis and an individual's unique biochemistry.

Acupuncture.     William Cargile, chairman of research for the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, believes that acupuncture is one of the most effective holistic therapies for sinusitis. He states in Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide that sinus problems are often related to toxins in the bowels and intestines. Acupuncture treatments which stimulate the body to detoxify almost immediately detoxify the sinus membranes as well. In some cases, the relief last for weeks or the sinusitis is cleared up completely.

In severe cases, antibiotic medicines may be necessary. Prescription drugs for sinus problems, however, can be addictive and repeated use of drugs can lead to the development of tolerance by the bacteria, according to Richard N. Podell, writing in the February 1991 issue of Redbook. Podell cites a number of studies which suggest that decongestants such as pseudoephedrine constrict blood vessels and may permanently shrink the sinus and nasal membranes. Those that contain antihistamines often cause drowsiness. Spray decongestants such as Afrin and Dristan are only effective for a few days, and are known to have a rebound effect: when patients stop their use, their sinuses become more congested and they need more spray to provide relief. Prescription inhalers provide temporary relief, but do not fight bacteria directly, and do not heal the inflamed sinus membrane. Antihistamines can relieve nasal itchiness and inflammation by blocking the action of histamines, but do not help drain the mucus, according to Podell.