Sinusitis & Buteyko

Dr Janet Winter October 20, 2011

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Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus cavities with or without infection. Excessive mucus, postnasal drip, blocked nose, pain behind the eyes and other parts of the face may all be present. Sufferers may find that certain foods and chemicals make symptoms worse. They often have disturbed sleep. Symptoms tend to become chronic and more frequent over time.

Some of the decongestant nasal sprays that are available may provide short-term relief but longer use may cause rebound sinusitis, and dependence. Nasal irrigation with saline may help with symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Drinking plenty of fluids in order to thin the mucus and inhaling steam two to four times a day may also help to a degree.

A number of surgical approaches are used to access the sinuses and the less disruptive endoscopic methods are currently favoured. This allows for a more targeted approach to the affected sinuses, and fewer post-operative complications. However, surgical relief is often short lived and the procedures sometimes have to be repeated.

Before having surgery (or if surgery has not worked well for you) you may wish to know of a safe, effective, natural drug-free approach to sinusitis. This depends on correcting a disordered breathing pattern.

Hyperventilation or over-breathing lowers the carbon dioxide concentration within the blood and the respiratory system including the nasal/sinus passages. A low carbon dioxide environment stimulates mast cells to release more histamine, an inflammatory agent, in response to contact with allergens (pollen, dust mites etc) causing the body to over-react. The nasal and sinus regions become irritated and inflamed. Secondary infections are common in the warm moist environment. As the nose becomes blocked, people often become chronic mouth breathers; this increases the volume of air breathed even more, and the vicious cycle of over-breathing continues and can become chronic. Excessive nose blowing to try to clear the blocked nose can make the hyperventilation and the blocked nose worse rather than better.

Learning the Buteyko Breathing Method reduces the chronic hyperventilation leading to an increase in carbon dioxide concentrations and normalisation of the mast cell histamine release in response to allergens. The nasal and sinus tissues become less inflamed and swollen allowing restoration of nasal breathing. Secondary infections reduce in frequency, and quality of sleep improves. The need for ongoing daily medication becomes less, and sleep usually improves.

When you attend a Buteyko course you learn a simple breathing exercise to clear your nose so that you can nasal breathe more freely. The courses are individually tailored for you. You learn exercises to gently reduce your breathing volume day by day, so your nose stays clear. The role of diet and exercise are explained, and which foods to avoid when you are having breathing difficulties. And you will have these skills for life.