Quarterly, Volume 1, Article 1 - Spring 2005 Edition

 

A column to help you regain wellness in your life!!

 

By Julie E. Brent, of  Your Well Being

Campbellsburg, Kentucky 40011

502-727- 4931

 

How your Sinuses work…

 

One of the purposes of the sinus cavities is to perfectly prepare the air for the lungs to function properly. You were designed to breathe through your nose. You don’t eat with your nose so why should you breathe with your mouth?   I had to smile the first time I heard this, it made a life long impression on me, and I hope it stays with you as well.

 

How it works:

When the air comes through the nose it first passes the small hairs that grow inside your nasal passages. The air is filtered by the hair and the larger debris floating through the air is collected there, such as pollen, dust, lint, dirt, viruses (pictured is a common virus) and larger bacteria. The air is moisturized and temperature moderated in the nose as well. Then the air passes into the sinus cavity. In the sinuses the air is additionally moisturized and the temperature of the air is adjusted. This is the final step for the air to be perfect for the lungs to perform at their best. The lungs then take the oxygen out of the air and prepare it to be absorbed by the blood through the capillaries.

 

Why your sinuses HURT or become infected

The sinuses must stay moist with mucus at all times in order to perform their primary function. The moisture is needed for two reasons. First, there must be moisture available to infuse into the air if it is to dry for the lungs. Second the pollen that does make it past the hairs in your nose is supposed to slide off of the sinuses surface into the throat to be expectorated, or be eliminated in the lymphatic system. This is why you have post nasal drip, the sinuses are taking moisture from your body to slide the pollen and bacteria out of the sinus cavities.

 

What happens when the air is dry

If you have dry sinus cavities they become very much like fly paper, sticky, which invites the smaller bacteria and pollen that are not captured by the nose hairs to STICK to the wall of the sinuses. When the pollen and bacteria stick around, they have time to develop into a serious irritant. The bacteria have found a perfect home to propagate and the pollen buries itself into the sensitive sinus wall causing discomfort and headaches.

 

Taking medication for sinus infections

So with this in mind, consider the wisdom of taking sinus medications that DRY your sinuses. When you understand the function of the sinuses and the moisture needed to do the job they are designed for, you can see that drying out the sinuses can make the problem worse over the long run.

 

What to do?

Two things can easily be done to improve the health of your sinus cavities while also protecting your lungs from damage and bacteria. First, measure the humidity in the air in your home and office. Obtain a humidifier to moisturize the air you breathe to 40-50 percent. Below that range the air begins to dry out the sinus cavities. Second, use aromatherapy and steam twice daily for two weeks to regain sinus health. After two weeks start with once per day and every other day until you find the correct timing for your needs.

 

Aromatherapy

There are several essential oils that are antibacterial, antiviral and/or anti-microbal.

Obtain a quality essential oil such as tea tree, lavender or peppermint. You can use the essential oil on a cotton ball or directly on your collar to continuously breathe the vapors of the essential oil during your daily routine. This is first line defense against sinus infection, colds, flu and other diseases that are contagious from the air we breathe.

 

Aromatherapy Steam inhalation session

Prepare a bowl, cup, container filled with steamy boiling water. Drop ONE (more is NOT better here) drop of peppermint, tea tree, or lavender essential oil into the boiling water. Too much essential oil can burn your mucus membranes. Close your eyes and cover your head with a ‘tent’, a towel or cloth big enough to cover your head and shoulders so the steam will not escape. Breathe slowly at first to avoid taking too much steamy essential oil into the lungs too quickly.

 

And Last but not Least

DRINK WATER. Your adult body weight is approximately 55-75 percent water. The brain is composed of 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water and the lungs nearly 90 percent water, and you must replace the water that is used every minute of your life so you can function. Your sinus cavities will not stay moist without drinking water. “Oh, I drink plenty of liquids”, you say! If those liquids are NOT water, then think about this: does your car run OK when you put ANY liquid into the radiator? Will your car function just as well with coffee, tea, milk or soft drinks in the radiator? Water is in all body fluids, the blood, the lymph, the urine, digestive juices, perspiration and mucus. Give that some thought, then drink WATER.

 

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnosis or prescribe for any condition that you may have. See your physician for any serious medical condition.

 

Reference:

How a virus looks: http://www.med-ars.it/virus.htm

Why you need water: http://www.watercure.com/default3.htm

Medical view on function and anatomy:

http://www.utmb.edu/otoref/Grnds/Paranasal-Sinus-2002-01/Paranasal-sinus-2002-01.htm