Causes of Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are caused by bacteria building up in the sinuses. You have allergy symptoms such as profuse mucus and the mucus builds up in your sinuses and stays in there long enough to grow bacteria. The common symptom of a sinus infection is profuse sinus discharge. It is usually yellow, green or brown if it is infected.
Sinus infections can be dangerous because the bacteria that is in your sinuses can drain down your throat and go into your lungs to cause a lung infection or pneumonia. This is probably rare, but it is a possibility. If you have a sinus infection, you should consult your health care practitioner.
Sinus infections can be frequent occurrences if you have sinus blockage or a lot of allergy symptoms. The bacteria can remain dormant in your sinuses, just waiting for the next sinus blockage to help it grow. Some people have poor sinus drainage that makes them more susceptible to sinus infections.
If your sinuses can stay open with proper drainage, you are less likely to get an infection. Chinese herbal remedies for sinus problems can be used to relieve sinus blockages. The herbs can open circulation in your sinuses to relieve pressure.
If my patient already has an infection, I give him/her herbs that relieve infection, such as andrographis. I personally have had great results using andrographis for infections and colds/flu. It is a very popular herb used in Chinese medicine to treat bacterial problems anywhere in the body as well as colds/flu.
Planetary Herbals makes a very good quality andrographis. I love all the herbal remedies they carry. Their herbs are formulated by an acupuncturist and I feel they are some of the best quality and best formulations you can buy. I use Andrographis – Full Spectrum