Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
Natural Support For This Troublesome Condition
Sinusitis is an infection of the sinus passages, usually the frontal (head/eyes) or nasal sinuses. Symptoms may include a thick nasal discharge, pain or tenderness over the involved sinuses, headache and sometimes fever with chills. Such infection can be a one-time occurrence but is more commonly chronic and recurrent.
Recent studies have shown that antibiotic therapy is largely useless for sinusitis. Only in cases of severe pain or when symptoms have been present for more than two weeks are antibiotics sometimes indicated. Another study has shown that over 90% of people with sinusitis have some degree of yeast or fungus growing in their sinus cavities.
Anything that causes swelling of the mucous membrane (internal "skin" that lines the sinus cavities) can block normal drainage of the sinuses and lead to infection. Common causes of chronic & recurrent sinusitis include food allergy, respiratory allergy, low immune function and dental infection. (Dental infection is a frequently-overlooked cause of chronic sinusitis).
Treatment involves both acute management AND correction of underlying, predisposing factors.
Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
- For acute sinusitis: Follow recommendations for diet listed under Colds and Flu. Avoid the foods listed below under "chronic sinusitis" during an acute attack.
- For chronic sinusitis: Assess for food allergies. Milk, wheat, corn, citrus and peanut butter are common food allergens associated with sinusitis. It may be wise to avoid these foods until definitive allergy-testing is completed.
- Have a dental check-up if you have not had one in the past six months.
Primary Support
- Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of antioxidant nutrients (vitamin A, beta carotene, C, E, zinc, selenium) and bioflavonoids are especially important in treating sinusitis.
- Max EPA (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day). Fish oil is anti-inflammatory.
- Immune support: 2 caps, 1-2 times per day for general immune enhancement.
Additional Support
During acute episodes:
- Bromelain: 2 caps, 4 times per day between meals. With improvement, decrease to 1 cap, 3-4 times per day. Bromelain thins mucous so it can exit the sinus passages. It will also aid with mucous digestion once this gunk makes it's way to the stomach.
- Use all recommendations for acute infection.
- Use hot packs over the sinuses during acute attacks for pain relief and decongestion.
- Inspirol inhalant - the most potent inhalant you've ever used! Breathe this at least 4 times per day, but up to hourly or more if needed, during acute infection.
Tests
- Review the symptoms of Candidiasis. If you have more than 4 of the listed symptoms, consider having a Candida test performed.
Dr. Myatt's Comment
Correction of the underlying factors involved in chronic or recurrent sinusitis, such as food allergy and Candidiasis, will nearly always correct the problem. If you have had chronic sinusitis for many years, be patient. Complete correction may take a year or more. Patients who have overcome chronic sinusitis problems tell me it’s well worth the effort.
