Sinusitis (Sinus Infections) also known as rhinosinusitis remain a significant health concern globally. The relavance of sinusitis in today's world stems from its commonality and impact on individuals' quality of life, healthcare costs and productivity. Millions of people worldwide suffer from this condition, leading to significant healthcare resource utilization including doctor visits, presecription medications and in some cases surgery. Symptoms like facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion etc can significantly affect an individual's daily activities and overall wellbeing.

Sinusitis can be acute or chronic

Acute Sinusitis: This is a short-term sinus infection that may last a week or 10 days and often go away without medical treatment.

Chronic Sinusitis: If the sinus infection and inflammation from it lasts for 12 weeks or more, it might be chronic sinusitis.

Even though the symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are the same, symptoms of chronic sinusitis are more severe. Chronic Sinusitis may even cause loss of sense of smell/taste or bad breath, toothaches etc.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Causes of Sinusitis

Yogic Management of Sinusitis

Yogic Diet for Sinusitis

• Sinusitis gets aggravated sometimes due to emotional reactions. So it is necessary to practice techniques that calm our mind.

• Start acting by yourself at the start of the symptoms to avoid getting it worse.

• Have faith in higher power.

• Express your emotions with your family members or with like minded people.

• Practice let go off stress and negative thoughts.

Thought Process for Managing Sinusitis

Yoga Practices for Managing Sinusitis

What is Sinusitis?

Sinuses are small hollow cavities found behind the forehead,cheekbones,nose and eyes. They are usually covered in mucus - a jelly-like clear fluid that protects the body against bacteria, viruses and other foreign germs. Sinusitis mostly stems from the bacteria or other allergens that got trapped in the nasal cavity, leading to the accumulation of mucus that blocks the sinus openings. This excess mucus build up causes bacteria or other germs to multiply in the sinus cavity leading to inflammation and pain. Even though the most common cause of sinusitis is virus, sometimes bacterial infection can also lead to sinusitis.

Symptoms of Sinusitis include:

• Pressure on the face

• Headache or heaviness in the head

• Runny Nose or Stuffed Nose

• Disclored Postnasal Drainage

• Loss of Smell

• Cough or Congestion

• Sometimes accompanied by fever, fatigue, bad breath and dental pain.

Causes of Sinusitis include:

• Common Cold

• Allergic Rhinitis, swelling of the lining of the nose

• Nasal Polyps, small growths in the lining of the nose

• Shift in the nasal cavity called Deviated Septum

• Weakened immune system due to certain medication or health condition.

The millions of people who have chronic sinusitis deal not only with stuffy noses and headaches, but also struggle with the ability to focus, experience depression and other symptoms that implicate the involvement of the brain. Untreated chronic sinusitis can lead to long-term effects like nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, facial pressure and even reduced sense of smell.

When you follow a yogic lifestyle as mentioned below, it helps you to prevent sinusitis. If you are already suffering chronic sinusitis condition, following a yogic lifestyle helps to build immunity against repeated viral infections.

• Yoga practices like Kapalabhatti help to ventilate the sinus and throw out stale air, allowing fresh air to come in.

• Yoga practice like Kapalarandradhouti helps to increase circulation and facilitates drainage of mucus.

• Under the guidance of a Guru, practice Jalneti to clean the nasal passages, allowing the sinuses to drain effectively removing excess mucus.But keep in mind not to do such practices during the acute condition of sinusitis.

• Followed by morning and evening sun bath on face, do a kapalarandradhouti.

• Forward bending asanas like Yoga Mudra, Paschimottanasana, Padahastasana,Konasana 3, Chakrasana,and inversion asanas like Sarvangasana, Vipareeta Karani help in the drainage of sinuses. But avoid it in case of acute conditions as it may trigger a headache.

• Also asanas like Bhujangasana are good as it increases lung capacity and facilitates deep breathing. Practicing Yastikasana is also beneficial.

• Pranayama like Bhastrika, Anulom Vilom and Surya Bhedan are also good.

Lifestyle Routine for managing Sinusitis

• Steam Inhalation is very good, adding clean cabbage leaves in the water for inhalation helps in clearing the nasal passage.

• Apply hot water bag/heat pad on the face to ease the pain

• Use of Saline drops in nose

• Scalp should be completely dry after washing hair

• Avoid direct AC/fan on the head

• Cover the head while sleeping.

• Maintain a diary to keep track of factors that trigger Sinusitis so that you can avoid it.

Rest & Recreation for Managing Sinusitis

• During the attack of Sinusitis, take a lot of rest as too much sneezing and nasal congestion tires the body.

• Practice conscious relaxation techniques like Savasana, Makarasana, or Nishpandabhava

• Physical activities like outdoor sports like badminton, tennis, and climbing stairs is a good way for increasing circulation in the body.

• Taking a short nap in the afternoon is rejuvenating for the body if the sleep is disturbed at night due to sinusitis

• Choose a diet with vegetables, fruits and grains.

• Include food rich in Vitamin C & Vitamin D

• Drink lenty of fluids and avoid overexertion

• Eat fresh curd without sour.

• Drink warm ginger and lemongrass

• Avoid alcohol which causes dehydration in the body

• Avid mucus producing foods like dairy, banana etc

• Eat home made food which is hot and avoid cold food items.