A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining your sinuses. There are several possible causes for chronic sinusitis:
- Allergies (whether airborne and/or food)
- Fungal Infection (candida)
- Inflammation
- Bacterial
Below are some holistic treatment options if you find yourself suffering from chronic sinus infections.
1. Reduce Histamines
- Vitamin C: 3000-5000 mg/day in 3 divided doses. Back off slightly if this causes diarrhea until formed stool is restored.
- Omega 3 oils: 4 oz of fish/day or 3-4 caps of supplement.
- Bioflavinoids: 1 three times a day with vitamin C
2. Break up the mucus:
- Cytesplus or N-acetyl cysteine: 1 three times a day until mucus begins to run. This is an amino acid that dissolves mucus. Only to be used until mucus becomes runny; for instance, in a dry cough, stuffed sinuses, etc. Once mucus is liquid, discontinue use. Note that product smells bad. This is also a great bio-film disruptor to bacteria, helping to kill them off.
- Mucinex can be used in a pinch if no access to NAC. This can be found at drug stores. Use as directed.
- Physical therapies:
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- Salt water nasal rinsing with either a Neti pot or Ocean spray nasal spray. Salt concentration should be 1 tsp/cup of body temperature water.
- Steam showers with essential oils.
- Humidify your bedroom and use essential oils in the humidifier or a chest rub under nose.
- Sinus contrast hydrotherapy, 2 to 3 times per day. See our post on sinus contrast hydrotherapy here for detailed instructions.
3. Anti-microbial:
If you have a fever and/or yellow or green mucus, you most likely have a sinus infection. Therefore, you need to treat with an anti-microbial agent. Antibiotics usually exacerbate the causative agent making fungal infections, allergies, etc. worse. Natural remedies may not be very effective either because it is hard to get the medicine to the sinus. You must do one of the physical therapies listed above to increase circulation in the sinus region to bring the medication there.
- Sinatrol (OrthoMolecular): 3 caps twice a day for 10 days. Acts like an antibiotic.
- Use of Sudafed will dry sinuses up and therefore is only recommended when you must suppress symptoms for a specific reason (e.g. plane travel, must go to work, etc.). Consult your doctor before using Sudafed, as incorrect usage may prolong the course of the infection or cause harmful complications. NO more than once every 3-4 days!
- Probiotics: take 1 three times a day.
4. Diet:
- Take a break from all your supplements until you feel 90% better.
- Eliminate mucus producing foods, such as dairy and sugar.
- Reduce processed foods and flours.
- Eat spicy foods, broths and cooked foods during illness.