Sinusitis (Kaphaja Pratishyaya)

कासारुचिम्रावघनप्रसेकाः कफाद् गुरुः स्रोतसि चापि कण्डूः॥

Sinusitis - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

The inflammation of the tissue lining of various sinuses of the nasal cavity is called sinusitis. In general, nasal sinuses are filled with air. The inflammation of sinuses leads to its blockage and may get filled with increased tissue secretion. Sinusitis is termed as “Kaphaja Pratisyaya” as per Ayurveda.

Ayurveda assures a complete cure for Sinusitis. Ayurveda has diet measures, regimens, medications, and external procedures for managing Sinusitis. Dr. Gupta along with his years of Ayurveda experience is using unique pulse diagnosis methods to find out root cause treatment in Sinusitis.

Sinus or Paranasal Sinuses

Sinuses are the air-filled spaces within a human skull. The sinuses surrounding the nasal cavity are called paranasal sinuses.

Ayurvedic Reference of Sinusitis

Types of Sinusitis

In general, there are three types of sinusitis. They are namely:-

Acute sinusitis
Sub-acute sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis
Recurrent sinusitis

Sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity through small openings called Ostia. They help in improving our voice and it lightens the skull by acting as a shock absorber. Mucus production for lubricating the nasal cavity is the major function of nasal sinuses.

Causes of Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be caused due to various internal and external causes.

Various Allergies
Small Polyps
Septal Deviation
Drug or chemical reaction
Smoke may cause sinusitis

According to Ayurveda, the causes of sinusitis are exposure to mist or fog, excess sleep, avoiding sleep during nights, using a very low, very high, or improper pillow, drinking excess cold or dirty water, suppressing vomiting and all Kapha dosha increasing measures like water sports, heavy and cold food. In the case of sinusitis, the major doshas affected are Vata and Kapha.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis will have similar symptoms than that of cold. Running nose and pain will be felt over the sinus areas. Fever and thick discharge from nose may be observed associated with acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may last up to a period of 2 weeks.

Sub-acute sinusitis is similar to that of acute sinusitis with extreme manifestation of symptoms experienced in acute type of sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis will have heaviness in head, pain over the sinus areas during some particular time of a day. The symptoms will show a mild nature in case of chronic sinusitis and may last up to a period of 3 months.

Recurrent sinusitis will be having a cyclic nature of the occurrence. It occurs in a particular pattern with repeated occurrence within a year. The symptoms will be more or less the same than that of acute sinusitis.

As per Ayurveda, the symptoms of Sinusitis are slimy discharge from nose, heaviness overhead region, tastelessness, itching inside nose, breathing difficulty, and general heaviness all over the body.

“Sinusitis is a condition that must be managed with immediate attention. The treatments started at the earliest will make the curing process fast. Ayurveda assures the complete cure of sinusitis through natural methods. Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® has proven to be the best in Ayurvedic management of sinusitis through treating plenty of cases with high success rates”.

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet for Sinusitis

The food should be hot and combined with a proper quantity of good quality sea salt. Liquid or semi-solid foods will be more suitable for a person suffering from sinusitis. The diet can be combined with Kapha dosha balancing food materials like barley, wheat, red rice, and butter. Spices like pepper, ginger, and Curcuma can be combined in a diet. Cold generating fruits like apple and banana along with slimy vegetables like eggplant and big tomatoes must are avoided. Water made of Dashamoola (Ten Ayurvedic medicine roots) is also suggestive in curing sinusitis.

Regimen for Sinusitis

The activities including over-exertion and head movement must be reduced or avoided completely as per the guidance of the doctor. Avoiding the chance of getting cold air during traveling will be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of sinusitis. Protection measures must be used for covering ears and head for preventing easy exposure to cold wind.

Do’s (Pathya)

Take warm and liquid food
Add spices to the diet
Always use boiled and warm water for drinking

Don’ts (Apathya)

Avoid water sports
Avoid eating cold foods including cold generating fruits like apple and banana
Avoiding overexertion including strenuous workout
Avoid smoking

Yoga for Sinusitis

Yoga practices including Pranayama and Jalneti (cleansing of nostrils with water in a unique manner) are good for sinusitis cure. Yoga asanas or postures namely:-

Dhanurasana
Shalabhasana
Halasana and
Sarvangasana is good in managing sinusitis.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Sinusitis

Ayurveda suggests various internal and external treatment measures including Panchakarma for treating sinusitis permanently.

Shunti or Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Marichamor Black pepper (Piper nigrum), and Pippali or Long pepper (Piper longum) are single medicines used in Ayurveda.

Internal medicines like Vyoshadi Vatakam, Talisapatradi Choornam, Agasthyarasayanam, Dashamoola katuthreyam kashayam, and medicated ghee intake are the few internal medicines used in the treatment of sinusitis.

Nasyam (Ayurvedic nasal medications), Vamanam (Ayurvedic vomiting treatment), Steam bath, and special bandages are the external methods used in the Ayurvedic management of Sinusitis.

References

Shloka No. 106, Trimarm Chikitsa, Charak Samhita, Indian Materia Medica of Agnivesa
Acharaya P.V. Sharma, Kaiyyadevanighantu, Edition Reprint 2017, Chaukhambha Orientalia, p. 137.
The Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of India Part II, 1st edition New Delhi, Govt. of India, Dept. of AYUSH, The controller of publications Civil Lines 2000, p. 41.
Professor K.R. Sreekantha Murthy, Ashtang Hrudaya. Vagbhata (English Translation), Edition, Reprint 2014. Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20, shloka 17-20, p. 258.

Sinusitis is a condition that must be managed with immediate attention. The treatments started at the earliest will make the curing process fast. Ayurveda assures the complete cure of sinusitis through natural methods. Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® has proven to be the best in Ayurvedic management of sinusitis through treating plenty of cases with high success rates.

Visit us now and get cured naturally.

Feel light and get yourself freed through Ayurvedic Sinusitis treatment.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Sinusitis?

Answer: The inflammation tissues lining of various sinuses of the nasal cavity is called Sinusitis.

Question: What are the Causes of Sinusitis?

Answers: Allergies, polyps, septal deviation, infections, smoke, and certain chemicals substances are the major causes of sinusitis. As per Ayurveda, all activities that increase Kapha dosha may cause sinus inflammation.

Questions: Which are the major yoga methods beneficial for managing sinusitis?

Answer: Pranayama and Jalneti can be practiced for getting fast results in sinusitis along with Yogasanas namely Dhanurasana, Shalabhasana, Halasana and Sarvangasana.

Questions: What is the cause of Sinusitis?

Answer: According to Ayurveda, sinusitis is caused due to the vitiation of Kapha and Vayu doshas. It is a respiratory tract infection which often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Questions: What are the complications of Sinusitis?

Answer: A delay in diagnosis and failure to get proper treatment can lead to certain complications like abscess, osteomyelitis, meningitis, cellulitis etc. Once the sinus are infected, poor dietary habits and improper management can lead the disease into a chronic phase.

Questions: What is the treatment of sinusitis?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment involves various measures that help to manage sinusitis effectively without causing any side effects. It potentially soothes the mucus, facilitates sinus drainage, helps in decongestion thus providing relief.

Questions: Why is sinusitis becoming common?

Answer: Due to increase in pollution, changing lifestyle, increase in resistance to antibiotics etc., there is an increase in the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections.