SINUSITIS                                                                                                          COUGH


Inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses is termed as sinusitis. Sinuses are hollow air spaces in the human body. These cavities, located within the skull and bones of the head surrounding the nose, include the following:

1) Frontal sinuses over the eyes, in the brow region.
2) Maxillary sinuses, within the maxillary bones.
3) Ethmoid sinuses just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes.
4) Sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

These sinuses have an opening in the nasal cavity for free exchange of air & mucous. Therefore, anything that causes a swelling in the nose - an infection, an allergic reaction, or an immune reaction also can affect the sinuses. This may lead to either blocking of the sinus leading to a sinus attack of intense pain or may even cause a vacuum to develop within the sinus. (This may also lead to pain)

TYPES OF SINUSITIS Acute sinusitis (going on for less than four weeks),
Sub acute sinusitis (4-12 weeks)
Chronic sinusitis (going on for 12 weeks or more).
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SINUSITIS
An initial discomfort with increasing pressure may be present.
Pain. (Depending upon which sinus has been affected the may vary in location.)
Nasal discharge which is initially mucoid, later becomes purulent or even blood stained.
Blocking of the nose is usually present.(It occurs due to congestion & edema of the nasal mucosa)
Nasal resonance may change due to blockage.
Tenderness over the affected sinus is present.
Heaviness in the head when bending the head (in frontal sinusitis)
Even fever, weakness, tiredness, cough (that may be more severe at night) may be present.

CAUSES OF SINUSITITS
Most common cause is infection due to bacteria/fungi such as streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci etc. Sinusitis often begins after an acute respiratory infection, which very often could be viral. Infections are more often seen in patients with immunodeficiency or suffering chronic diseases like diabetes. In children a common cause may be insertion of foreign bodies within the nasal cavity.

INVESTIGATION & DIAGNOSIS Clinically the physician may try to identify the cause of sinusitis and also which sinuses are involved. One may look out as to when does the discharge appear (either when sitting straight or when lying on the unaffected side, this helps to differentiate between involvement of the frontal and maxillary sinuses respectively) X-ray of the paranasal sinuses is advised to check for presence of any free fluid or other pathology. CT scan may be advised to confirm the diagnosis or rule out any other possibility. Tests to check for the presence of infection and ESR may be done to gather supportive evidence.

TREATMENT
Use of appropriate antibiotics along with an analgesic depending on the suspected micro-organism.
Decongestants aiming to improve the drainage.
Antihistamines may be useful in patients with allergy.
Surgical treatment is nowadays not required due to extensive use of antibiotics. Surgery involves puncturing the sinus and
making a window in it to facilitate easy drainage.

HOW CAN I HELP MYSELF?
Local application of heat and steam inhalation may cause the secretions to flow out easily. In case the symptoms persist or recur it is best advisable to visit your physician.

PREVENTION
Anatomical defects if any in the nasal cavity should be corrected.
Any septic focus - commonly oral infection should be taken care off as it may cause sinusitis.
Avoiding exposure to possible allergens would prevent allergic sinusitis.

OUR TREATMENTS
In all types of sinus affections homoeopathy has proved itself to be very useful and that too without any side-effects. In conditions like allergic sinusitis or recurrent sinusitis where other modes of treatment have been proved incapable homoeopathy emerges as the only method with assuring results.

COUGH
Cough is a symptom, one should investigate into the cause of cough & homoeopathic medicine with an individualistic approach would surely cure the patient.

Cough is an explosive expiration that provides a normal protective mechanism for clearing the tracheobronchial secretions and foreign material.

When excessive or bothersome, it is also one of the most common symptoms for which medical attention is sought.
It is usually self-limiting but may become bothersome if continues for long duration.