What is a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)?
A sinus infection (also known as sinusitis) occurs when your nasal cavities become inflamed and fill with fluid; this sets the stage for germs to grow creating an infection.
Common symptoms
- Postnasal drip
- Discolored nasal discharge (greenish in color)
- Nasal stuffiness or congestion
- Tenderness of the face (particularly under the eyes or at the bridge of the nose)
- Frontal headaches
- Pain in the teeth
- Sore throat
- Sinus pressure
- Coughing
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
What causes a Sinus Infection?
- A virus or a cold and can persists even after other cold or respiratory symptoms are gone
- Weak immune system
- Weak adrenal glands and low cortisol and cortisone production
- Stress of any kind affects the immune system
- Nutrient deficiencies: zinc, vitamin D, magnesium, EPA DHA and many others
- Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium
- Tooth infection: can contribute to sinus infections
- Allergies: can trigger the sinus to become blocked and get inflamed
- Nasal polyps: get in the way of natural air flow
- Bacterial infections which is not common
Acute or Chronic Sinus Infection?
Many sinus infection symptoms are similar to both acute and chronic infections.
Acute sinus infection: defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as less than four weeks. An acute infection usually starts as a cold with a runny nose and comes on suddenly.[1]
Chronic sinus infections: last for more than twelve weeks or continue to recur.[2]
Conventional Treatment
Although antibiotics are commonly recommended for sinus infections, the majority are actually the result of viruses or colds. The infection will get better as the nasal congestion dissipates.
What to do for long-lasting results?
Start a mineral balancing program to rebuild and repair your body. This will naturally assist your immune system, improve the function of the adrenal glands, remove heavy metals, eliminate chronic and acute infections, and much more. .
Sandy suffered with chronic sinus infections for over 10 years! She would experience a small reprieve and then the infection would reoccur. She had taken many antibiotics over the years which did help in the beginning but eventually nothing would change after taking a round of antibiotics. She started on the mineral balancing program in 2014. She improved her diet, included specific supplements for her body chemistry and added sauna therapy: Near Infrared Saunas, Single Heat Lamp Therapy After 10 months on the program the sinus infection disappeared. Additionally, Sandy has not had a sinus infection in over 5 years!
Natural Remedies for Sinus Infections
- Stay hydrated— 2 to 3 quarts spring or carbon filtered water daily: relieves sinus congestion and helps mucus membranes function correctly.
- Moisture— humidifier, saline nasal spray, or sitting in a steam-filled bathroom, adding more moisture to the air and your nasal passages can help to reduce congestion.
- Neti-pot— Can greatly improve sinus issues and clear the nasal passages. This process is called “nasal irrigation.” Neti Pot this ceramic neti pot has lasted for over 10 years and looks the same as the day I bought it! It also includes the salt. Do the neti-pot in the morning and before bed. How to Use a Neti-Pot
- Vitamin A, 50,000 iu a day for adults— (not from beta-carotene) Here is one I recommend: Vitamin A Now Brand. You can take this amount for about 7 to 10 days. Great for mucus membranes (skip if pregnant).
- Red heat lamp— aim at sinus area (with eyes closed) for no more than 5 minutes 4 to 5 times a day until the infection passes Single Heat Lamp Therapy
- Warm salt water gargle—helps to get rid of anything from the throat that could spread to the sinus. 4 to 6 times a day during an acute infection.
- Colloidal silver— Get a nasal spray colloidal silver and spray a squirt in each nostril twice a day. This is the one I recommend: Nasal Colloidal Silver
- Garlic— Nature’s best natural antibiotic! Cook with garlic as it has many healing properties. Use 6 cloves or more in a recipe if someone is dealing with a cold/flu/sinus issue.
- Sleep— If you are not getting enough sleep, the infection will linger. Sleep regenerates the body. Try going to bed earlier or sleeping in if possible to get added rest to speed up recovery.
- Warm compresses— can ease pain in the nose and sinus area and loosen secretions. Recline with a hot washcloth over your eyes and nose for 3 minutes up to 4 times a day.
- Ginger— Natural decongestant. Make ginger tea and add raw honey to aid in recovery. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals in ginger root can help to eliminate the infection. Drink 2-3 cups daily until you are well. Make Ginger Tea at Home
- Vitamin C rich foods— Aids the immune system and also assists to alleviate an infection: add foods such as broccoli, parsley, oranges, kale, lemons
- Vitamin C—1000 mg twice a day for an adult is a safe amount. Taking too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
- Facial Steam—Boil about 4 cups of distilled water and put in a heat safe bowl. Can add a few drops of oil of oregano, eucalyptus, thyme, or rosemary then hold your face over the pot and drape a towel over your head to help keep the steam in (keep face a safe distance from the hot water so you do not get burned). Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Oregano, Eucalyptus, thyme and rosemary oil all have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties and helps reduce the swelling of mucous membranes.
- Shower—A steamy shower can relieve sinus pressure and loosen mucus to clear out the sinuses
- Chicken soup —Supports the immune system. Can also help to clear nasal congestion by thinning mucus.
- Oil of Oregano— contains two powerful compounds of carvacrol and thymol that have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Potent Oregano Oil (skip if pregnant or nursing)
- Echinacea— an herb that can help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. Herbalists will often recommend this herb as a natural treatment for sinus infections. Echinacea. Look at your local health food store. Now, Solaray, Nature’s Way are all great brands.
- Natural decongestants— Horseradish- If you have ever eaten too much horseradish, you have experienced the nasal clearing effects! Others are lemon, cayenne and apple cider vinegar. These can help to clear the nasal passages. Below is my favorite one:
Decongestant Tea
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups distilled water
2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar (Braggs)
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
Warm water to your liking
Mix the warm water and apple cider vinegar in a glass
Stir in honey,cayenne pepper and lemon juice
What to avoid
Dairy products—milk, cheese and other dairy products are mucus producing
Sugar— can weaken immune system cells
Grains/white flour products—mucus producing
Potatoes and other starchy vegetables—mucus producing
Caffeine—dehydrates the body (diuretic) and can harden and swell mucus (exactly what we don’t want)
Alcohol— dehydrates the body (diuretic) and can contribute to sinus inflammation
Health, Happiness and Joy to you!!
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article is strictly educational and is not, in any way, meant to be prescriptive or to constitute professional medical advice. Always check with your doctor before taking natural supplements if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any ongoing medical concerns, or are currently taking other medications.
[1] Acute sinusitis. (2018).
org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/home/ovc-20199692
[2] Chronic sinusitis. (2018).
mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-sinusitis/DS00232/DSECTION=sy
