SINUS INFECTIONS
YOU'VE HAD A BAD COLD, AND AFTER 10 days or so you're ready to get back to your normal life. Unfortunately, your cold isn't finished with you. The congestion, sinus pain, headache, fever and fatigue won't go away.
That's when you begin to suspect you may be dealing with a sinus infection. You have all the tell-tale symptoms: Your headache is worse when you lean over or lie down, your nasal discharge has changed from clear to yellow-green, your breath is bad and a decreased sense of smell has sandbagged your appetite.
Like many other maladies, sinus infections come in two main varieties: acute and chronic (long-term). An acute sinus infection often follows on the heels of a cold or a bout of hay fever. In fact, one study found that nearly 40 per cent of people whose common colds lasted seven days or longer developed signs of sinus infection that showed up on X-rays. Viruses are the most common cause of acute sinus infections.
Chronic sinus infection is a low-grade inflammation that persists for three months or longer. The same viruses that cause acute infections cause chronic ones, but other factors - stress, air pollution, allergies or an overtaxed immune system - make chronic sinus infection difficult to get rid of. Compared with an acute infection, symptoms of a chronic infection are less dramatic, but they include the usual annoyances: headache, congestion, varying degrees of nasal discharge, postnasal drip (with or without a cough), fatigue, bad breath, impaired ability to concentrate and a diminished sense of smell. Fever is uncommon.
Chronic sinus infection is a common ailment. Since medical
science offers no foolproof cure, many people with chronic sinus infection
are led to believe that they have to learn to live with their misery. Fortunately,
however, an array of simple home remedies and alternative treatments can
keep the infection at bay.
TAKING THE WATERS
If you have a sinus infection, one of your primary goals is to thin nasal
secretions, which makes them easier to expel. One way to do this is
by drinking lots of fluids, especially warm ones, such as herb teas and
brothy soups.
Another way is to inhale steam. Breathing warm steam - from a hot shower, steam shower, commercial inhaler, or a simple saucepan of hot water - helps loosen mucus, soothe dry membranes, and decongest. It may even relieve sinus headache. Adding antiseptic, decongesting herbs such as eucalyptus and thyme gives steam treatments an extra punch.
Two other water tips: a damp, hot-to-tolerance towel placed over the face can increase blood flow to the sinuses and decrease discomfort. Warm baths can help banish that all-over sick feeling. For a herbal bath, you can strain the herbal infusion from your steam inhalation pot into the bathtub.
ANTIHISTAMINES:
No ANTIDOTE FOR SINUS TROUBLE
Beware of over-the-counter sinus remedies because many of them contain antihistamines.
Antihistamines thicken mucus, making it harder to expel, and can cause drowsiness.
Commonly used antihistamines are diphenhydramine, brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine.
Studies have failed to find that combination antihistamine-decongestant drugs
do any good for sinus infections.
DRUG TREATMENT
Oral Decongestants
Pseudoephedrine (Galpseud, Sudafed, many combination products); phenylpropanolamine
combination (Contac, Dimotapp LA, Triogesic, others). Function: decrease
mucous membrane swelling, which can help improve sinus drainage. Side effects:
insomnia, jitters, increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
Decongestant Nasal Sprays
Phenylephrine (Fenox), oxymetazoline (Afrazine, Dristan, Sudafed, Vicks Sinex),
xylometazoline (Nazo-Mist). Function: decrease mucous membrane swelling,
which can help improve sinus drainage. Side effects: rebound congestion,
risk of dependency and abuse.
Intranasal Corticosteroids
Beclometasone dipropionate (Beconase), budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua), fluticasone
propionate (Flixonase), triamcinolone acetonide (Nasacort), mometasone
furoate (Nasonex). Function: shrink swollen mucous membranes to allow drainage
ducts from the sinuses to open; used when allergies such as hay fever underlie
the infection. Side effects: burning or drying of the nose, sneezing.
Antibiotics
Co-trimoxazole, co-amoxiclav, cefaclor, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, erythromycin-sulfisoxazole
(many brands). Function: kill bacteria that cause the sinus infection. Side
effects: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, vaginal yeast infection,
allergic reactions; other side effects depend upon the specific antibiotic
used.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida)
This herb is well known for its ability to rev up the immune system, which
may help fight off a bout of sinus infection. Most herbalists recommend
taking echinacea every one to two hours at the beginning of an infection,
then stopping when symptoms resolve. With sinus infections, your immune
system has already been challenged by the cold or allergy that caused it,
so frequent dosing is important. Typical dosage: up to nine 300 to
400-milligram capsules per day; up to 60 drops of tincture three times
per day until symptoms cease. Caution: people allergic to other members
of the aster family, such as ragweed, may be allergic to echinacea. Not
for use by those with autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
This Chinese herb may soon be known as 'the other immune herb'. Whereas echinacea
stimulates the immune system when taken in frequent, large doses for a short
period of time, astragalus gradually rebuilds the immune system's strength.
It may be of particular help to people who get sinus infections often and
tend to hold on to them for a long time. Typical dosage: eight or nine 400-
to 500-milligram capsules per day; or 15 to 30 drops of tincture twice per
day.
Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)
You might call this mushroom the cook's immune-system boosting herb. It's
delicious in soup, stock or stir-fry, but, to fight an illness, take it in
capsule form. Typical dosage: 500 milligrams of standardised extract capsules
or tablets two times per day.
Oregon Graperoot (Mahonia aquifolium)
You'll probably be hearing a lot about this herb in the years to come.
Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties
are useful for a number of conditions, including sinus infections. Typical
dosage: 15 to 30 drops of tincture, three times per day.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
The compounds that make garlic pungent also fight bacteria. Cooking deactivates
the critical ingredients, so you'll need to take garlic in capsules, eat
it raw or add it during the last minutes of cooking. Typical dosage: up to
three 500- to 600-milligram capsules per day (look for products that deliver
up to 5,000 milligrams of allicin daily). Caution: may cause digestive problems.
Avoid if taking blood thinners.
Usnea (Usnea barbata)
This lichen fights streptococcal bacteria, a frequent cause of bacterial
sinus infection. Because usnea extracts poorly into water, you need to take
it as a tincture. Typical dosage: 15 to 30 drops of tincture, three times
per day.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
This popular garden herb contains the decongestant menthol. You can use it
in teas or add the leaves or essential oil to steam inhalation treatments.
In one study people who inhaled menthol said they felt as if they had less
nasal congestion, although their measurable airflow didn't increase. Blend
a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a tablespoon of vegetable or nut
oil and rub this blend into your temples. Be careful so you don't get the
oil in your eyes, and don't apply it directly to the mucous membranes. Typical
dosage: tea throughout the day as needed (steep 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried
leaf in 1/4 litre of hot water for 15 minutes); or a few drops of essential
oil in hot water for steam inhalation. Caution: avoid if you suffer from
heartburn or acid reflux.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
This condiment gives you that welcome sensation of instant sinus relief.
Both regular ground horseradish and a dab of Japanese wasabi work well, but
start with small amounts and work up. Caution: use these condiments carefully
if you have ulcers or other digestive problems.
Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)
Best known for its ability to prevent migraines, this herb is also recommended
by herbalists to ease headaches, including those that may accompany a sinus
infection. Typical dosage: up to three 300- to 400-milligram capsules per
day; or 2 average-sized fresh leaves per day.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
and Willow Bark (Salix spp.)
Both of these herbs contain salicin, the pain-relieving precursor to aspirin,
and both have traditionally been used for headache and other types of pain.
Both taste bitter, which by itself resolves some types of headache pain.
Typical dosage: up to six 400-milligram capsules per day; or up to 3 cups
of tea per day (steep 1/2 teaspoon of powdered bark or dried herb in 1/4
litre of hot water for 10 minutes).
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
This root's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving powers make it a natural
for relieving headaches. Because ginger tends to make those who eat it
feel warm, it's great for infections that make you feel chilled, but you'll
want to avoid it if fever comes with your sinus infection. Typical dosage:
up to eight 500- to 600-milligram capsules per day; or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
of chopped fresh root per day; or 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water three
times per day. Caution: do not use if you have gallbladder disease.
