Sinuses are air pockets within the skull. They are located around the nose and eyes. Each sinus is connected to the nasal passage by a small duct which allows mucus drainage and air exchange. These ducts are called ostea and each is about the size of a pencil lead.

Often a cold will plug up the ostea, preventing the sinuses from draining properly. The moist, warm, mucus-packed sinus becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. To the patient, it seems to be a cold that just doesn't go away. Chronic sinusitis produces pressure between the eyes, on the sides of the nose, or in the front of the forehead. There is a stuffy feeling, and the victim frequently has headaches. He or she often has a runny nose, sore throat, and/or a cough from the constant draining of mucus.

Frequently the sinus sufferer has repeat bouts of infection and takes antibiotics on a regular basis. This can create digestive problems or immune system problems. Repeated courses of antibiotic therapy can create dysbiosis (overgrowth of yeastor other pathologic microorganism in the intestine) and ultimately lead to other problems like headaches, fatigue, digestive problems and allergies.

Smoking, air pollution and environmental allergies can irritate the ostea and create the conditions for chronic sinusitis. Indoor air pollution can be much worse than outdoor air pollution (especially during the winter).

Recommendations That May Help

* Minimize the amount of chemical and dust where you sleep. The room should have no carpeting; hardwood flooring is best. Do not store clothing, books or printed material in this room. Pure cotton or wool bedding should be used. The mattress and pillow should contain no foam. The room should be very sparsely furnished. If you have gas, forced-air heat in your home, it should be turned off in that room. Seal the vents and use electric space heaters in that room.

* If you have gas, forced-air heating, get your ducts cleaned. Many people who catch a cold every winter are actually victims of their ductwork. During the summer, moist, air-conditioned air goes through the ducts. In early fall, dust and mold collect in the ducts. When it gets cold, the heat is turned on and the dry, heated air blows dust and mold throughout the house. Many people who think they have a cold may actually be allergic to dust or mold. Some of these people are sick all winter long. Cleaning the ducts prevents this problem.

* Use a HEPA filter at home to clean up indoor air pollution. These are free-standing filters that remove dust, mold, pollen and smoke from the air. They are available in most appliance stores.

* Sinuses are often worse in winter when they are exposed to hot, dry, indoor heat. A humidifier is helpful (worth noting, if there is an allergy to dust mites, a humidifier may aggravate the allergy). Make absolutely sure that you change the water and clean the humidifier regularly. Saline irrigation can reduce pain and swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages.

* Blow your nose. Never sniff mucus back into your nose. It plugs the ostea and increases sinus pressure.

* If you smoke, quit.

* Make absolutely sure that you drink an adequate amount of water.

* Steam is very helpful. Long, hot showers, going into a steam bath or simply boiling water and inhaling the vapor through your nose will help your sinuses to drain.

Come in for a consultation and Dr. Esposito can provide nutritional advice to help you with your chronic sinusitis, any allergy or Candida problems that you may have. Call (705) 575-7560 or email.

To read more about natural medicine and chronic sinusitis visit Dr. Esposito's Sinusitis Articles page.