Sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull bone as well as facial bones. It’s produces mucus that helps in lubrication of the entire nasal passage. When this sinuses get infected, then it is filled with mucus and this mucus can bring the choking up of the nasal passage. It causes pain on the facial region, basically forehead, cheeks and around ears. This condition is called as Sinusitis.
Four paired sinuses in humans :
- Maxillary sinuses
- Frontal sinuses
- Ethmoid sinuses
- Sphenoid sinuses
Maxillary sinuses : The largest sinuses are situated close to the maxillae, or upper jaws, behind the cheekbones.
Frontal sinuses : Located above each eye, in the frontal bone at the centre of the forehead, are the right and left frontal sinuses.
Ethmoid sinuses : They are located close to your eyes, on either side of the nose bridge. The ethmoid sinuses are found in three little pairs.
Sphenoid sinuses : They are situated behind the eyes, and deeper into the skull.
Causes of Sinusitis :
There are various causes of sinusitis as follow :
- Sinusitis infection caused due to harmful viruses, bacteria and allergies or seasonal allergies
- Smoke and allergens like pollen, dust etc can also lead to sinusitis.
- Environmental irritation or change of climate
There are different types of sinusitis :
- Acute sinusitis
- Sub-acute sinusitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Recurrent sinusitis
Acute sinusitis : An uncommon infection that can be categorised as severe or non-severe based on symptoms and that can last up to four weeks.
Sub-acute sinusitis : a period of infection that falls between four and twelve weeks, signifying the change from acute to chronic.
Chronic sinusitis : when the symptoms and signals persist for longer than twelve weeks.
Recurrent sinusitis : four or more episodes of sinusitis within one year.
How to prevent Sinusitis :
- Drink only warm water if your nasal passage are congested.
- Avoid bathing mistake. Do not stay in bath for long, you have to minimize the hair wetness period or your scalp. When your head remains cold, this is going to create a problem and inflame the sinuses. After bath, make sure that you should be in a normal temperature. Avoid air conditioner on your body because AC (air conditioner) will cool down your system more.
- Hair are concerned, dry your hair dry towel or using a hair dryer sparingly
- Don’t sleep under fan or when the Ac is strong. Make sure that your body doesn’t cool down suddenly.
- The strong blast of air because of fan and Ac on face is going to inflame or irritate your sinuses and you will suffer from sinusitis or sinus cycle.
- While sleeping blood pressure goes low. The circulation on face is definitely poor so while sleeping you should cover your face with scarf or one pillow above your head so that the frontal sinus are warmed up and this warm sinuses will not have excess mucus passage would remain open. Remember that you should keep your head warm.
- Your sleeping position is also an important factor. Suppose your right nostril is blocked then you should lie down on left side and if your left nostril is blocked then you should lie down on right hand side. Make sure that you are lying down on sides and preferably on one side so became aware of the passage tes and precaution should be taken that the blockages don’t remain for longer time.
- Steam Inhalation – It is one of the effective method to prevent sinusitis and you observe that the congestion is release. You can add a drop of eucalyptus oil in the water and inhale from nose and exhale from mouth. then just wipe your face and sleep. This is the best way to manage sinus.
- Avoid mucus producing foods and make sure that food is immunity boosting also. Avoid non vegetarian food, junk food and oily food. all these food produce more mucus. food which has lots of spices that also will produce mucus.
- Avoid cold drinks.
How to get rid of Sinusitis
- Hydration : stay hydrated which will help to thinning mucus
- Add sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables to your diet
- Some yoga or pranayam practices can help to prevent sinusitis such as : Jalneti, kapalbhati, kapalrandhra dhouti etc.,