By naturopath Margaret Jasinska

We are regularly consulted by patients who suffer headaches of all varieties. Headaches are common and awful to have frequently; indeed they can ruin your day. If you awaken in the morning with a headache, you start off the day feeling miserable and if you have to take pain killers then you may feel tired from the side effects.

The patients we see have usually seen a neurologist and had an MRI scan of their brain to exclude a sinister cause. The patient is often told they have migraines or tension headaches, but the treatment prescribed does not cure them.

A lot of the patients experience pain when pressing on their forehead, and at the inner upper bone around the eye and the cheeks. This tells me they have sinus inflammation and/or infection and it is chronic. Undiagnosed chronic sinusitis is a very common cause of frequent headaches with which the patient often awakens in the morning. To eradicate these headaches we must treat the cause.

The use of antibiotics and steroids and decongestants does not provide a long term solution and indeed causes the persistence of unhealthy bacteria and yeast in the gut and sinuses. Steroid sprays can cause fungal infections in the throat and sinuses which worsen the inflammation.

How can we treat the cause of chronic sinusitis?

Improve the gut flora which means the types of microbes in the gut. Beneficial microbes can travel to the sinuses and fight the bad bugs causing the infection. I recommend a sugar free, low carbohydrate diet that is free of dairy products. This helps reduce mucous congestion, making the infection easier to clear.  Bone broth is highly beneficial. The minerals and gelatin in bone broth are easy to digest and soothing to the lining of your intestines.

Glutamine powder can be valuable as it heals a leaky gut. The oregano, clove and thyme in BactoClear capsules help to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis.

It is also important to take a good probiotic supplement and you can also eat fermented foods to inoculate the gut with good bacteria. Any food you have an allergy or sensitivity to can irritate your immune system and promote chronic inflammation. If you suspect you have hidden food sensitivities it’s best to see a healthcare practitioner to help you identify them. Many ordinarily healthy foods like eggs, tomatoes or nuts can be a problem for some.

Raw vegetable juicing can reduce inflammation – use ginger, lime, carrots, cabbage, mint and spinach. See the book titled Raw Juices Can save Your Life.