Section
4
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SINUSITIS (Sinus Trouble)
SYMPTOMS—One or more of the following symptoms: facial pain, tenderness on the cheekbones, face and forehead, earache, headache, dry cough, bad breath, fever, dazed feeling in the head, loss of smell, and burning and tearing eyes. Sometimes it results in a swollen face, stuffy nose, and a thick mucous discharge.
CAUSES—The nasal sinuses are located in the bones surrounding the eyes and nose. They help your voice sound fuller and richer. They also help store overflow phlegm in time of illness.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses that generally occurs together with upper respiratory infection. Colds or bacterial and viral infections spread into the sinuses.
Sinus problems which have become chronic may be caused by injury of the nasal bones, smoking, small growths in the nose, or irritant fumes and odors.
Allergenic sinusitis may result from plant pollens (hay fever) or allergies to milk; dairy products; or, less likely, wheat.
An over-acid condition in the stomach can cause sinus troubles. Poor digestion of starch, sugar, and dairy products can produce a runny nose. When force is used in blowing the nose, phlegm is pushed up into the sinuses.
Swimming or diving can force phlegm up into the sinuses.
Allergic rhinitis is a common cause of sinusitis. Avoid substances which might be giving you allergies.
Decayed teeth, enlarged and infected adenoids, cigarette smoke, perfume, household cleansers, and dusty air can cause irritation to the sinuses.
So sinus trouble can either be caused by an infection or by other things. If drainage is clear after a week, you probably have no infection; but, if mucous is greenish or yellowish, you do. If drainage is clear and there are no accompanying symptoms of a common cold, you probably have an allergy.
Few people with sinus trouble have actual sinus infection (sinusitis).
Beware of swelling around the eyes! If left untreated, this can lead to bronchitis, asthma, throat infection, or pneumonia.
If you are interested in figuring out which sinuses may be bothering you, here is some helpful data:
Frontal sinuses produce frontal headaches which are most severe between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Maxillary sinuses makes pain in the upper teeth and cheek, and sometimes eye pain as well. It generally lasts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ethmoid sinuses induce a dull pain behind the eyes, pain in eye movements, tearing, light sensitivity, and occasionally sore throat and nighttime cough.
TREATMENT—
• Do not suppress a cold, flu, sore throat, infected tonsils, or other acute disease. Go to bed, take juices and light meals, rest, and get well. When suppressed, the phlegm does not flow out, but hardens in the sinuses and trouble begins.
• Take a short fast on citrus juices, vegetable juices, and herb teas. Drink lots of water and juices.
• As soon as you are able, begin eating nourishing food, especially vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans. Drink fresh carrot juice every day.
• Eliminate meat, dairy products, white flour foods, and sugar.
• Do not use nose drops; they aggravate the situation by stopping the drainage and hardening the mucous. Decongestants also increase blood pressure.
• Hot liquids help the sinuses flow out their contents.
• Helpful herbs to reduce sinus congestion would include comfrey, slippery elm, fenugreek, mullein, aloe vera, yerba santa, red clover, and white oak bark.
• Garlic contains a chemical which makes mucous less sticky. Horseradish has it also. Cayenne acts in a somewhat similar manner. Peppermint tea also helps open up the sinus passageways.
• Add crushed garlic cloves to 4 cups water; remove from the heat after coming to a boil. Cool and gradually drink. This will help clean out the sinuses and lower stuffiness.
• Heat on the sinuses helps relieve pain. This can be hot wet compresses, a heat lamp, a 60-watt light bulb, or a heating pad.
• A variation of this is: Twice a day, lean over a pan of hot water with a towel draped over your head (or stand in a hot shower). Inhale the vapors as they waft up toward your nose. If you are at work, order a cup of something hot; and, leaning over, sniff up the moisture.
• Some prefer cold applications to the sinuses, instead of hot ones. Put crushed ice in a plastic sack, wrap in a moist towel, and place over the sinus which hurts. At the same time, have the feet in hot water. This will help draw blood from the sinus area. However, the hot method is better for draining the sinuses.
• Mix 1 tsp. of salt with 2 cups warm water. Pour it into a small glass; and, holding back your head, sniff it up into one nostril (as you pinch the other one closed). Repeat for the other side.
• Rubbing your sore sinuses brings a fresh supply of blood to the area. Press your thumbs firmly on either side of your nose and hold for 15-30 seconds.
• Sit with your head between your knees. Cough gently as though you were clearing your throat. Then hold your breath for a minute or so, as the mucous slowly drains. Then gently inhale. Be sure you are drinking enough fluids when you do this.
• Walking helps clear your sinuses.
• Between meals every day, take six charcoal tablets with water. This will help remove toxins. Only do this during the crisis, or it can cause temporary constipation.
• It is better to sniffle than to blow your nose. If you must blow, only blow lightly and through one nostril at a time.
• A humidifier will help keep sinuses moist indoors during the winter months. A humidity of 40-50% will increase sinus comfort.
• Avoid cold, damp living, working, and sleeping quarters.
ENCOURAGEMENT—Ask God to do for you those things which you cannot do for yourself. Tell Jesus everything. Lay open before Him the secrets of your heart, for His eye reads it all. Surrender your life to Him, and let Him enable you to obey His Ten Commandment law.
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