Treatment of Sinusitis and Ear infections.

The best way to treat sinus and ear infections is to help the sinuses and ears to drain. This happens by helping the lining of the nose, sinus canals and Eustachian tube to shrink, and then to liquefy the accumulated secretions in the sinus or ears so this can drain into the throat. 

Steam inhalation taken five to six times a day with holy Basil (Tulsi), cardamom or tea tree oil for 5 min at a time, through the nose can help to treat sinusitis. In case of an acute sinus problem the steam may be required for between seven to ten days. In chronic and long-standing sinus problems the steam may need to be continued for up to 2 years.

For ear infections breathe the steam in through the mouth to help open the Eustachian tube.

Salt water inhalations either by going to the seaside, using a salt inhalation chamber, spraying saline solution in the nose or through Jal Neti (putting salt water in one nostril and bringing it out from the other nostril) are all useful in shrinking the lining of the nose and unblocking the sinuses.

Doing Pranayam (yogic breathing) in the form of Kapal Bharathi (forceful exhalation) can help drain the sinuses. This should   be done under supervision and never by people with high blood pressure or glaucoma.

Treatment with acupuncture is an effective way to help the sinuses to drain and to heal. Acupuncture may be done with needles, laser or ultrasound. Regular treatment with acupuncture reduces the time taken for the sinusitis to heal.

Eating condiments like strong mustard and wasabi (Japanese horseradish) with your food, can help the lining of the nose to shrink and   to open up the sinuses.

Antibiotics like ampicillin in a dose of 30-40mgm/kg of body weight may be useful in treating acute sinusitis. Most other antibiotics do not penetrate the sinuses in adequate quantity to be effective.

Antibiotics are not very useful  in chronic sinusitis, as most patients are unable to tolerate the prolonged antibiotic treatment of the 6-9 months required to cure the sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis usually has mixed bacterial and fungal infections and if antibiotics are used, anti-fungal drugs are required as well for the treatment to be effective. 

Homeopathy and Ayurveda also have effective treatments for sinusitis and ear infections.