My Sinus Story

Three years ago life took a marvelous turn when I found permanent relief for my life-long sinus pressure, mucus, phlegm and other related problems. This web site is dedicated to helping you have the same experience. There are 3 steps. They are on one page. This plus other valuable information are found in: Three Steps to Sinus & Mucus Relief. click here

Sinus Problems

Questions and Answers

How many sinuses are there?
There are four pairs or 8 total: The maxillary in the cheek areas. The frontal above the eye brows. The ethmoid between and behind the eye areas. The sphenoid in the center of the head.

What are the sinuses?
They are hollow empty spaces or cavities mostly within the face. They reduce the weight of the skull, protect and insulate it and gives resonance to the voice. They also humidify, warm and filter the air that passes through the nose. They are lined with a membrane that procuces mucus and has thousands of hairlike organellles called cilia which move mucus and other elements to keep the sinuse cavities healthy and functioning properly.

What causes sinus problems?
Viruses, "colds,"allergies, mucus, congestion allowed to stagnate, smog, very dry air, certain foods, almost anything that would irritate the sinuses membranes on a regular basis could cause them. Unknown to many, house dust can be a powerful allergenic and cause sinus afflictions.

Are sinus problems preventable?
The answer may vary depending on who you ask. A person with a genetic predisposition to them obviously will have a more difficult time with prevention than one who does not. In both cases lifestyle--food, drink, physical exercise, relaxation, spiritual values--may be the key to prevention. Over time, however, anything that irritates the sinuses on a regular basis will probably cause sinus problems. In any case lifestyle can lessen or exacerbate sinus problems.

What is sinusitis?
It is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. Often it starts with a cold, flu or allergy attack that makes the nasal membranes swell and increase the production of watery mucus. If the sinuses become blocked and the mucus and air cannot flow easily between the nose and sinuses, pressure builds up in the latter creating pain. In such cases the stage is set for a bacteria to grow and a bacterial sinusitis; unless air and mucus begin flowing again soon enough.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
One does not need to have all these symptoms:

• facial pain, congestion, pressure
• nasal discharge--often yellow or green
• reduced ability to breath normally through the nose
• loss of the sense of smell and/or taste
• fever, fatigue
• chronic cough
• phlegm
• bad breath

At times some of these symptoms can also apply to other medical conditions, this makes sinusitis difficult to diagnose.

What is the best way to treat sinusitis?
To go to the root cause of the problem not just to treat symptoms. This is the approach I used very successfully. OTC remedies help cope with the symptoms stress.

What is sinus congestion?
It is the accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities which cannot flow fast enough to the back of the throat or the nasal passages. It is produced by some irritant in the environment like pollens, some foods, or a "cold." or the flu.

What is the best way to treat sinus congestion?
There are a number of medications sold over-the-counter which usually treat the symtoms of this condition satisfactorily. Would it become a chronic problem a physician should then be seen.

What is PND--post-nasal drip--or sinus drainage?
Whenever there is an irritation of the nasal passages whether by environmental elements such as pollens, dust, smog, "colds," etc., the sinus and nose membranes produce an abnormanl amount of mucus or histamine which is intended to wash away the irritation. This excessive amount of secretions that go down the back of the throat is the PND or excessive drainage.

In many instances the post-nasal drip goes away when the the irritant ceases to affect the nasal membranes. If the flow is blocked it will accumulate and result in pressure and pain. Thus antihistamines remedies are used to neutralize the effect of histamine in the body. They can be purchased over-the-counter. Should this condition last por a prolonged period then a physician should be consulted.

What is sinus pain or headache?
When the sinus cavities fill with mucus because the sinus opening is blocked and mucus and air cannot flow through pressure builds up and pain results. Or when the nose cavity is congested and runny or filled with mucus, it is probably a so called "sinus headache."

What is the best way to treat sinus pain?
Some of us use acupressure to open the sinuses so they can begin to drain and release pressure. Or one can use one of a nunber of over-the-counter medications which are intended to do that. If this condition lasts more than a few days, then a physician should be consulted. The problem is probably a sinus infection which would require an antibiotic; which can only be dispensed by prescription.

There are differences of opinion. Most people with sinus issues I have talked with and who have experimented by eating certain foods, and then not eating them and have evaluated the results, have told me that two foods, let's call them food #1 and food #2 definitely made a differ- ence. This has also been my own personal experience.

Is there any such thing as foods good for sinus problems?
As indicated, above, some would argue food has nothing to do with sinus problems. Scientific research has demonstrated otherwise. For example, the German Government's Commission E has published the results of scientific research it conducted on 150 medicinal herbs. The conclusions showed that some herbs do alleviate certain ailments and in some cases they can be as effective as prescription medications. Thus we can say that certain herbal foods--botanicals--can be good for sinus problems. Especially considering that some of the botanicals they researched have proven to contain natural antiviral and antibiotic properties; these are needed sometimes to treat sinus issues. An excellent way to promote sinus health is by fasting one day per week or every two weeks. It detoxifies, cleanses the body thereby boosting the healing properties of the immune system.

Are sinus ailments such as congestion, sinusitis, pressure, etc., transmittable?
That depends on which kind of sinus ailment we are talking about. Any sinusitis or excessive drainage or discharge connected with a viral sinus issue can be transmitted to another person through coughing or some other means of physical contact with the virus, just like the flu. Many sinus ailments are not virus connected. For example, allergic reactions often cause sinus problems, which are not connected with a virus.

Do antibiotics cure sinus problems?
Antibiotics are used mostly to treat infections. To the degree that a sinus issue may involve an infection they would usually be employed, but not to cure or prevent sinus problems per se.

Why is a sinus nasal discharge sometimes green or yellow?
A bacterial sinus infection can produce a thick, sticky mucus with pus discharge which has a yellowish or greenish color. A nasal discharge should not be confuses with phlegm which is produced by the lungs and should always be coughed up and out through the mouth.

What is the best way to decongest the sinuses?
The answer varies depending on which healing system a person decides to use: medicine, homeopathy, acupressure (also know as sinus pressure points), chiropractic, botanicals, etc. For this particular sinus issue I use acupressure very successfully. By pressing one specific point on the back of my neck I can drain my sinuses in a few minutes. It's free, no side effects, conven-ient and takes just a few moments. Inhalations are also good, but you should be careful not to harm theciliawhich lines the nasal and sinus cavities.

Is there a connection between sinus infections and allergies?
A main cause of sinus problems is allergies to the environment: pollens, smog, dry air, house dust, chemical substances one is exposed to, etc. The reason is that they irritate the sinuses which in turn can cause congestion, PND, pressure, headache, etc. Whenever pollens and house dust are the allergens and the allergy is severe--and so the accompanying sinus problem--allergy injections are often used to alleviate the problem.