Sinus Infections or Sinusitis Part 2

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND 

In my last blog on sinusitis I started with a description of what the sinuses are, where they are and even what they do. I then talked about what the symptoms of sinusitis are. (1,2,3)  In this blog I will be expanding upon how sinusitis is diagnosed, how it is possible to tell the difference between sinusitis and other dental concerns/ having a cold and we will even talk about some natural ways of addressing the symptoms. It’s a lot to talk about so let’s get into it, shall we?

Sinusitis is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and health history. Just a small PSA it is always important to be as accurate as you can when talking to your doctor about the symptoms you have. This ensures a correct diagnosis and allows for proper treatment to begin ASAP. In addition to medical history and symptoms your doctor will also check your ears, nose and throat for any swelling, draining or blockage. There are certain tests that can help your doctor to diagnose sinusitis. These include nasal swabs, nasal endoscopy and even in some cases a CT scan. If you experience chronic sinusitis our doctor may recommend allergy testing to determine the root cause. (1)

Now just what dental concerns most closely resemble sinusitis and how can you tell the difference between the 2 conditions? As I said in my last blog sinusitis can cause a toothache therefore any condition that leads to a toothache can be mistaken for sinusitis or vice versa. These can include gum disease (periodontal disease or gingivitis), cavities and even dental abscesses. If you grind our teeth this can also lead to a toothache. The best way to determine if the pain is coming from the tooth itself or sinusitis is to see a dentist. They can help rule out a dental cause for the toothache. The toothache may also have a dental origin if it seems to last longer than you would expect, if it doesn’t go away even after the sinus infection is gone or lastly it doesn’t improve with treatment for your sinusitis. Simply put if the toothache or facial pain is associated with sinusitis it should clear up with proper sinus infection treatment. If it doesn’t a checkup with your dentist can help. (10) Pleas e see the attached chart for a side by side comparison of the symptoms. (11)

As I said sinusitis can have very similar symptoms to the common cold. If you’re curious about the common cold I’d refer you to my blog on that topic. Anyhow how can you distinguish between a cold and sinusitis? The easiest way is to look at certain symptoms. So I’ve included a hand chart for you to look at. (3) Remember you can always see your doctor for a confirmation on what is causing you symptoms!

What can you do to help with the symptoms of sinusitis?

• To help prevent sinusitis wash your hands frequently as well as any surfaces that are touched often.
• Avoid smoking and use a humidifier if needed.
• Try to avoid any allergens to the best of your ability!
• Eat healthy foods including plenty of fruits and vegetables! For help incorporating fruits and vegetables see Invite’s Organic Greens, Reds Hx, Greens Hx, Purples Hx and Oranges Hx.
• Nasal irrigation and nasal decongestants can also help to relieve your symptoms. (1)
• Olive Leaf has been found to be antibacterial and antibacterial in studies. (4, 5 ) It is also helpful because it has been found to have anti-inflammatory benefits as well as being able to boost our body’s natural ability to fight against pathogens. (5) All of these benefits make this a great choice for sinusitis. Please see Invite’s Olive Leaf extract and Renalaid.
• Green Tea has also been found to be antimicrobial in studies. (5) Please see Invite’s Green Tea Tx and Green Tea Hx! Interestingly Invite’s Organic Greens Plus has 500mg of Green Tea making it a great source of this powerful nutrient!
• Black Seed has been found to be helpful for sinusitis due it its properties as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and immune boosting nutrient. (6) Please see Invite’s Black Seed with Rosemary as well as Invite’s Men’s Multivitamin!
• According to the CDC using a warm compress can help to relieve the pressure associated with sinusitis. (7)
• Bromelain has been found to help with the symptoms of sinusitis and has been found to be both safe and helpful in children under 11! (8) Please see Invite’s Bromelain formula.
• NAC has been found to help the body to eliminate mucus. (9). Please see Invite’s NAC.

Our product highlight will be Bromelain!

Sources:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/paranasal-sinuses
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis
3. https://www.advancedentdenver.com/blog/sinus-infection-vs-cold-how-to-tell-the-difference/
4. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/9/526#:~:text=4.,aeruginosa%20infections.
5. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-olive-leaf-extract
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5884000/#:~:text=The%20results%20of%20investigations%20on,modulator%2C%20antimicrobial%20and%20analgesic%20effects.
7. https://www.cdc.gov/sinus-infection/about/index.html#:~:text=Put%20a%20warm%20compress%20over,the%2Dcounter%20medicines%20as%20directed.
8. https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/invivo/19/2/417.full.pdf#:~:text=Patients%20of%20the%20Bromelain%2DPOS%C2%AE%20monotherapy%20group%20showed,(p=0.005)%20compared%20to%20the%20other%20treatment%20groups.&text=This%20trial%20documents%20that%20the%20proteolytic%20pineapple,of%20proteolytic%20enzymes%20can%20benefit%20such%20patients.
9. https://bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-024-03243-y#:~:text=N%2Dacetylcysteine%20(NAC)%20is,on%20nebulized%20NAC%20was%20small.
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/sinus-toothache
11. https://www.ismileva.com/do-i-have-a-sinus-infection-or-a-toothache/