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It is obvious from the number of people sniffling and sneezing their way into our office these days: The winter cold season is upon us. But for a lot of people who come through our doors, the stuffy head, drippy nose, and sniffles are not a seasonal event, but a year-long condition they have to live with.

Sinus infections, and especially chronic sinus infections, seem to be very common here in the damp and cold of the Northwest. If you are one of those people who suffer from sinusitis, there are many ways that you can find relief from your condition.

Sinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis

Strictly speaking, the word sinusitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the sinus cavities. Sinusitis, though, is almost always caused by an infection (although food and environmental allergies also play an important role). The main culprit causing all this sinus discomfort is usually bacteria, but viruses and fungi can also set up home in your sinus cavities.

People with sinusitis often complain of pressure, facial pain, and congestion between and below their eyes; thick green or yellow discharge, painful teeth, loss of sense of smell can also be part of the symptoms. You can often guess that you have a sinus infection if you notice the pain in your face getting much worse when you bend over.

A sinus infection will often follows a cold or flu and may linger for a few days, but then it usually goes away. Chronic sinusitis, though, seems to never be fully gone. Post nasal drip, drainage, stuffy nose (especially in the morning) and headaches are very common with chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis is considered chronic when you have had the problem for more than three months.

Treatment

The medical approach to sinusitis typically consists of antibiotics and occasionally antiinflammatories. Both of these approaches often don’t address the underlying cause and can lead to recurrent infections.

A more complete approach is to do the following:

• Investigate your allergies: Bacterial and allergic sinusitis often goes hand in hand¹ and reducing your allergic tendencies by looking at your diet is a great approach.
• Nasal washes: A salt water solution that can include antibacterial herbs like goldenseal, eyebright, yarrow and others can be helpful. A neti pot is a specialized device made just for nasal washing and are available a most local health food stores.
• Argyrol: This combination of silver and protein has been used for over 100 years as a powerful antimicrobial. A few drops are placed in the nose daily.

What We Can Do For You

Nasal Specifics is a treatment that Dr. Cyndi uses to help treat sinusitis. The treatment consists of inserting a balloon into the nasal cavity and inflating the balloon to adjust the nasal bones. The adjustment of the nasal bones helps to flush and drain congestion. This treatment has been shown to be effective² and many patients have reported that this technique has helped them greatly.

Dr. Cyndi also provides nutritional counseling and supplements to treat sinusitis.

Further Resources

If you are looking to further your education on sinus infections, try these great books:

• Bruce, Debra Fulghum, et al. The Sinus Cure: 7 Steps to Relieve Sinusitis and Other Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions. Westminster, MD: Ballantine Books, 2001.
• Hirsch, Alan R. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Sinusitis: Relieve Your Symptoms and Identify the Source of Your Pain. Boston, MA: Warner Books, 2004.
• Robert S Ivker. Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Allergies, Colds, and Sinusitis. New York: Penguin Books, 2000.