INTERNATIONAL

AYURVEDIC
MEDICAL JOURNAL
Review Article ISSN: 2320 5091 Impact Factor: 4.018

ROLE OF YOGA, DIET AND HOME REMEDIES ON SINUSITIS

Ritika Khajuria1, Ruchi Gupta2, Vasundhra Parihar3, Tapsy sharma4

1,2,3,4
PG Scholar; Dept. of Kriya sharira, Jammu Institute of Ayurveda and Research, Nardni, Jammu, India

Email: khajuriaritika01@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Sinusitis is one of the most frequent entities in clinical practice, being a lifestyle ailment cause lot of discomfort in
day to day life. Despite the frequency of the disease, diagnosis and therapy often remain empiric. There’s diffi-
culty in breathing because of mucus build up and swelling in nasal region, resulting in blocked nose. Also, this
build up affects the whole face,, the head feels heavy, swelling and redness in eyes area, blocked ears. The situa-situ
tion might
ght appear menacing but the solution for it is elegantly uncomplicated. The great science of Yoga is an un-
equalled gift to the mankind from India. Yoga has the potentiality to prevent and cure the disease of both body and
mind. In order to exterminate the ailment from our bodily system, we can cure it by practicing some Yogasana
(posture), Mantra recitation, Gomukhasana (cow face pose), Janu Sirsasana (Head to knee pose), Setu Band-
hasana (Bridge pose), Bhastrika pranayama
pranayama, Anulom Vilom Pranayam, Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Kapalbhati
(frontal brain cleansing exercise), Neti karma
karma, Kunjal kriya and Meditation. Yoga brings a lot of relief for sinus
patients. Inflammation-reducing
reducing dietary modifications and plenty of home remedies may also help to ease symp- sym
toms and speed up recovery.

Keywords: Yogasana, Sinusitis, Shatkarma, Balanced diet.

INTRODUCTION
Sinuses are the empty spaces behind the nose and face Causes of sinusitis
bone. Inflammation of these sinuses is called sinusitis, Conditions that cause sinus
us blockage include:
include
which may or may not be as a result of bacterial, fun-  Anatomical abnormalities such as deviated nasal
gal, viral infection, allergic or autoimmune disease.1 septum, concha bullosa, adenoidal hypertrophy
New classification of sinus refer to rhinosinusitis, ta
tak-  Mucosal edema due to viral rhinitis and allergic
ing into account that inflammation of sinuses cannot rhinitis
occur without some inflammation of the nose as well  Non-allergic
allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis)
as (rhinitis). This inflammation
mmation leads to blockade of  Unattended nasal foreign bodies
the normal sinus drainage pathways, which in turn  Immunodeficiency conditions (congenital and
leads to mucus retention, difficulty in breathing, rurun- acquired)
2
ning nose, headache etc.  Prolonged nasogastric tube
 Cystic fibrosis
 Ritika Khajuria et al: Role Of Yoga, Diet And Home Remedies On Sinusitis

 Ciliary dysfunction syndromes How is sinusitis evaluated (diagnosed)

 Nasal polyps – small growth in the lining of the A careful history and physical examination is impor-
nose. tant in all patients with sinusitis. There are many tests
 Smoking: active and/or passive that can be used to evaluate sinusitis. Most patients
 Dental infection such as tooth abscess may spread need only a few basic tests.
into sinus and infect it directly Diagnosis and Tests for sinusitis
 Environmental pollution and irritants  General medical inquiry including symptoms and
 Swimming or diving causes.
Types of sinusitis  Complete blood picture
Acute sinusitis – starts with cold like symptoms such  ESR
as runny, stuffy nose and facial pain lasts for less than  Blood cultures
4 week duration.  X –ray(PNS) Para nasal sinuses
Sub acute sinusitis – lasts for 4 to 12 weeks.  Nasal endoscopy/Rhinoscopy
Chronic sinusitis – symptoms lasts for 12 weeks or  Nasal culture
longer.  Sinus Puncture
Recurrent sinusitis- it is defined as 3 or more episodes Yoga Treatment cures sinusitis
per year with each episode lasting less than 2 weeks In Yoga, sinusitis is treated by two methods: first by
duration. balancing the energy centres or Nadis in the body; and
Sign and symptoms second, by affecting the deep mental states or obstruc-
Classical symptoms of acute sinusitis3 tion that arise with the symptoms of disease. Dhyan
 Fever (meditation), Yognidra and objective self-analysis are
 Nasal obstruction very helpful in understanding and regulating the sys-
 Husky voice tem of unconscious mind during the disease.
 Purulent nasal discharge 1. Mantra recitation – chanting and humming “OM”
 Loss of sense of smell create sound vibrations that encourages air to
 Facial pain or headache that is aggravated by move back and forth between the sinus membrane
bending over. and nasal passages.4
Classical symptoms of chronic sinusitis3 Air movement helps open the tiny ducts, or ostia
 Dull pain or pressure across the midface espe- that connect the nose to the sinuses, allowing the
cially between or deep into the eyes. sinuses to drain properly. This can help prevent
 Nasal congestion infections from setting down in the sinuses and
 Post nasal dip create a healthy environment therein.5
 Headache occurs daily for weeks at a time and is 2. Jala neti (nasal irrigation with lukewarm saline
often notably worse in the morning and with head water) – Helps in expulsion of dried mucous from
movement. the nose, cleanses sinuses and helps to create un-
Maxillary sinusitis – It is most common type mani- obstructed flow of air.6
fest as cheek or dental pain. 3. Sutra neti (nasal cleaning with thread) – It acts by
Forehead pain indicates Frontal sinusitis improving mucociliary clearance, thinning the
Pain at the bridge of the nose or behind the eye sug- mucus and decreasing the inflammation that
gests Ethmoid sinusitis. blocks the sinus ostia.7
Pain is often referred to the top of the head with sphe- 4. Kunjal kriya – It is useful in prevention and cure
noid involvement. of the disease. Helps in expulsion of phlegm and
mucous deposited in the body.8

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 Ritika Khajuria et al: Role Of Yoga, Diet And Home Remedies On Sinusitis

5. Gomukhasana (cow face pose) –Stretches the Home remedies for sinusitis
chest muscles aiding flexibility in the air passage  Turmeric contains curcumin has anti inflamma-
region and reduces stress and anxiety.9 tory property that can reduce swelling in the sinus
6. Janu Sirsasana (Head to knee pose) – Relives cavities.15
headaches, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia.  Add garlic, ginger in your diet which helps in
7. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose) – Helps in reduc- boosting the immunity.16
ing depression and anxiety.  Honey soothes the nasal passages and the throat
8. Bhastrika Pranayama –This Pranayam frees that are inflamed during a sinus infection.
lungs of unnecessary air and microbes, facilitates  Fasting on the fruit juices till symptoms lasts.
the drainage of the excess mucous from the si-  Avoid Refined Carbohydrates, such as instant
nuses and nasal mucosa.10 mashed potatoes, and processed white flour prod-
9. Anulom Vilom Pranayama/Nadisodhana ucts.17
Pranayama-Removes congestion from the Nadis  Onion and Horseradish has high level of sulphur
thus ensures free flow of energy throughout the that create an antibiotic effect which helps in
body, boosts the immune system and helps to eliminating the microorganism causing infec-
overcome the imbalance of autonomous nervous tions.18
system.11  Use coconut oil as a mouth wash; oil pulling is
10. Bhujangasana (cobra pose) –Makes breathing eas- used in Ayurveda to draw out the toxins from the
ier by giving stretch to the lungs and works as a oral cavity.
stress releasing mechanism. Diet rules for sinusitis
11. Kapalabhati (frontal brain cleansing exercise) –  The most important factor in curing sinusitis is
Finest exercise for cleansing respiratory block- natural and simple diet.
ages, improves mental function, refresh and reju-  Sinusitis patient must consume light and vegetar-
venates the head region. ian diet so that mucus is not generated.
12. Meditation – It helps to maintain healthy mind.  Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture within
Stress can worsen the symptoms of sinusitis. Men- the body.
tal stress reduces the microcirculation to the si-  The observance of regular hours for meals, elimi-
nuses.12 whenever stress is reduced by meditation nation, sleep, balanced diet, and sufficient exer-
microcirculation will be improved. This improves cise are essential in the treatment of sinusitis.
our immunity and prevents frequent bouts of sick-  Eat fresh fruits and vegetables which are rich in
ness. antioxidants and other chemicals that could boost
Naturopathy for Sinusitis the immune system.
 Optimize your vitamin D levels by getting appro-  Increase quantity of salad in your diet.
priate amount of sun exposure helps in alleviate  Avoid milk and dairy products.
sinus problem by enhancing immune function.  Avoid non-veg, deep fried, junk food etc.
 Massage over the sinus region helps to drain out
accumulated mucus.13 CONCLUSION
 Fomentation over the sinuses gives immense re- Yogic kriya is beneficial in improving the status of
lief. patients with sinusitis. Practice of Yoga is inexpensive
 Steam inhalation by boiling water with Eclipta and safe under supervision and hence should be im-
alba leaves helps in draining out nasal secretions plemented at primary health care levels. Most sinus
by opening up blocked nostrils.14 infections respond well to natural sinusitis treatment.
 Exercise is beneficial to ease the sinusitis. There are so many natural options to choose from that
are not just effective, but are also affordable and easy

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 Ritika Khajuria et al: Role Of Yoga, Diet And Home Remedies On Sinusitis

to do in the comfort of your home. Minimal alteration Source of Support: Nil

in the lifestyle may give complete relief from sinusitis. Conflict Of Interest: None Declared

How to cite this URL: Ritika Khajuria et al: Role Of Yoga,

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