Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. ‘Sinuses’, the air-filled spaces inside the bones of the face, are located in the cheeks, forehead and around the eyes. The sinsuses are linked together and connected to the nose and throat, via narrow channels called ostia.

One function of the sinuses is to warm and moisten inhaled air before it reaches the lungs. They also produce mucous which traps airbourne dirt, bacteria and pollutants.

Sinusitis is caused by too much mucous, or a swelling of the lining of the sinuses and nose, which can block the narrow channels. This can occur during a cold, or be due to allergies. Bacteria then grow inside the sinuses, causing pain, headache and sometimes fever.

Common symptoms include a feeling of pressure inside the face, pain, facial swelling, yellow or green coloured mucous, persistent cough and generally feeling unwell.

What can be done?

Be aware of some common risk factors for chronic sinusitis. These include:

• Cigarette smoking

• Excessive use of nasal decongestant sprays

• Untreated hayfever or other allergies

• Structural abnormalities of the nose

• Nasal polyps

• Dental disease, such as untreated tooth abscess

Those troubled by frequent sinus infections should consult their doctor. Chronic sinusitis can lead to middle ear infections and other complications.

Treatment Options

Decongestants that help with symptoms of colds usually do not help with sinusitis. Decongestant nasal sprays, while useful for normal blocked noses, must not be used for more than a few days at a time in cases of sinusitis because they cause swelling which can make the problem worse.

Antibiotics are often prescribed for sinusitis – some are more effective than others, but most people can recover without antibiotics with the help of gentle, non-invasive therapies.

Steam Therapy

Steam therapy is extremely effective for sinusitis sufferers – it is gentle and doesn’t interfere with other medications. Warm, moist steam helps humidify the air and replace the natural workings of normal sinus passages, which are impaired due to infection. It helps clear the passages for easier breathing, relieve sore, dry and inflamed nasal tissues and soothe sore throats irritated by constant mucous drip.

Steam vaporisers like the EukyBear Steam Vaporiser or the Vicks Warm Steam Vaporiser are a particularly convenient way of taking advantage of modern steam vapour technology – especially for bedrooms at night.

New technology means some special inhalants containing eucalyptus oil, such as Bosisto’s EucoSteam Inhalant, extralife Eu-Clear and Vicks Vapo-Steam are now water-soluble. This means they are even more effective for use in vaporisers, personal inhalers and bowls – dispersing evenly and creating stronger, longer-lasting vapours.

The traditional bowl of warm water with a few drops of Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil is still gentle and effective – or use the hand held Bosisto’s Vapour Inhaler for a portable option.

Eucalyptus Oil is a natural decongestant and expectorant (mucous loosening) agent used for hundreds of years to clear stuffy noses and soothe sore throats.