Inflammation of sinuses or sinusitis is one of the most common chronic medical conditions and yet it’s also often mistaken for the other conditions and hence inappropriately treated.
Around thirty-eight million people endure with sinus problems, and suffer it’s the debilitating effects like pounding headaches, runny nose, and chronic fatigue to asthma, halitosis, even serious lung disease and meningitis. A little understanding of the differences between symptoms of sinusitis, allergies, and the common cold, can help you obtain relief and get the infection treated appropriately.
PMK. Sanjeev Krishnan, Yoga Trainer / Yoga Acharyagives insight on sinus problems and it’s yogic cure.
Sinusitis and Hay fever are troublesome conditions, which tend to recur each spring or monsoon season in susceptible individuals. Medical scientists view these upper respiratory tract disorders as being caused by viruses or defects in our immune system. The underlying cause is recognized by yogic science as an excess of the mucous element in the body.
Evolution of sinus infection
Sinusitis is a state of inflammation of the sinus cavities in the cheeks and frontal bones. These cavities, which are lined by mucous membrane, open into the nasal passages. During a bout of cold, the narrow entrances into the sinuses become blocked, and one may experience headaches and stuffiness of the head along with swelling and tenderness over the cheek bones and forehead; sometimes severe pain accompanied by aching in the eyes. However, these symptoms should clear up together with the cold within a week, given rest and proper care.
Chronic troubled sinuses
When sinusitis lasts for two weeks or more, it becomes a chronic condition. This occurs when acute cold is neglected, wrong eating habits continue and autointoxication develops due constipation. As a result bacterial infection, production of mucopurulent sputum and decent of symptoms into the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis) occurs.
In chronic sinusitis, a seat of infection has become established which proves extremely difficult and troublesome to overcome by conventional medical measures. Apart from the problems of re-infection, chronic sinusitis serves as a constant source for other respiratory diseases. Nervous stress and emotional upset also have prominent role in persistent sinusitis, chronic cold and recurring headaches. Sinus troubles of this kind respond rapidly to yogic therapy.
Hay fever closely related to sinusitis
Hay fever usually comes on suddenly, and at about the same time every year with many people. There is a tickling in the nose, sneezing and irritation down into the bronchial tubes. Symptoms are like those of a cold but more severe. The eyes are filled with tears, acute swelling and irritation of the nasal mucous membrane and sinuses, profuse mucus discharge and headache.
Hay fever occurs due to hypersensitivity of the individual’s immune surveillance system, perhaps due to sensitization to the offending allergen in the past. Yogic science explains hypersensitive reactions as the arousal of a previously developed mental samskara or impression, which has left a deep-set memory and imprint in both our psyche and cellular memory (surveillance system). The person who suddenly starts sneezing either in a tense psychological situation or when exposed to house dust is manifesting essentially the same reaction. It is a physiological immune response to a subconscious mental impression surfacing.
Take action with the yogic approach
The cure of sinusitis and hay fever can be achieved in two ways: by balancing the body’s energy systems or nadis, and by throwing light upon the deeper mental impressions and blockages, which arise simultaneously with the symptoms. Meditation, yoga Nidra and objective self analysis frequently enable the unconscious mechanism of these conditions to be understood and transcended.
In general, yogasana are contraindicated in febrile conditions but can be adopted after fever and other debilitating symptoms have diminished.
