Sinusitis and Brain Fog: Causes and Treatment

What is Brain Fog?

Brain fog refers to a situation where you experience cognitive difficulties, such as trouble with focus and memory.

Some of the common factors that can cause it are;

• Lack of sleep
• Poor nutrition
• Medications
• Chronic inflammation
• Hormonal changes, as in menopause
• Anxiety, depression and stress
• Allergies and nasal congestion from sinusitis

Sinusitis - All That You Should Know

Sinusitis- if you have never had a chance to learn what it is, it is the inflammation of the sinus. Now, what is a sinus? Sinus or sinuses are the hollowed part in the facial bones of your skull - behind your nose, eyes, and forehead. Lining these hollows, you have some tissues, just like the inner lining of your nose. When these linings get inflamed from infection, you get a sinus inflammation called sinusitis. 

Now, this sinusitis can occur with or without an infection.

Why do you actually have these hollows? These hollow spaces filter the air you breathe. 

But the problems start when the airway gets blocked from different causes and the spaces get filled up with nasal mucus - and then you get SINUSITIS!

Sinusitis can be caused by various factors, including:

• When the tiny hairs in the sinus (cilia) do not move. This issue may come with some underlying medical conditions like cystic fibrosis, hormonal changes, deviated septum and so on.
• Excessive mucus production is caused by local irritation, cilia dysfunction, changes in mucus protein, or common cold and allergies.
• Any obstruction to the opening of the sinus prevents adequate mucus drainage. Some of these obstructions can be the presence of a nasal bone spur, deviated septum or nasal polyps.
• Repeated, chronic infections will constantly cause nasal mucosal swelling and inflammation.
• So anything leading to one or more of the above can give you sinusitis.

Types of Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be of different types;

• Acute sinusitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Sub-acute sinusitis

- When your sinusitis lasts for 4 weeks or less, it is an acute form. This condition usually occurs from an acute infection like bacterial overgrowth.

-When your sinusitis lasts for over 3 months or more, you have chronic sinusitis. This occurs from recurrent bacterial or fungal infections.

-When your sinusitis symptoms persist for 1 to 3 months, you have subacute sinusitis.

It is when you have a chronic inflammation of your sinus (chronic sinusitis) that you may experience brain fog.

Did You Know?

A study found that chronic sinusitis was associated with a lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in elderly participants.

Chronic Sinusitis - Check for These Symptoms

If you think you experience chronic sinusitis, then these can be the symptoms;

• Nasal inflammation
• Runny nose that is thick and discoloured
• Postnasal drainage (drainage down the back of the throat)
• Congested or blocked nose, making it difficult to breathe through the nose
• Pain, swelling, and tenderness around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Ear pain
• Headache
• Discomfort and pain in upper jaw and teeth.
• Coughing or constant throat-clearing
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Fatigue

Why Do You Feel Foggy When You Have Sinusitis?

Brain fog is a potential complication of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS). 

Researchers have often quoted that people with sinusitis seek medical care not only due to physical symptoms like runny nose and sinus pressure but also because it affects their daily life: productivity, thinking, and sleep.

The brain relies on a well-functioning network of chemical processing for clear cognitive functioning, and sinusitis brings problems in that processing.

What are the Possible Link Between Brain Fog and Sinusitis

To talk about how the mechanism of brain fog with sinusitis goes on in your body, read on.

1. Reduced Oxygen Supply

When your nose remains congested, your brain does not get enough oxygen from the air you breathe. Also, you breathe a lot through your mouth, which cuts down on the process of 'air filtration' in the nose. Have you ever tried to inflate a balloon a lot with your mouth? Do you remember the dizzy feeling you get when you do that? This is exactly how the brain feels.

Tip: Focus on breathing during this time.

2. Medications for Sinusitis

Some medications that you consume when you have a sinusitis infection, such as antibiotics and antihistamines (for allergy), can affect your mental clarity. Some can even make you restless or sleepy.

Tip: If you face such issues with medications, consult your doctor.

3. Brain infections

Even though a rare complication, chronic sinusitis can spread to the brain structures, leading to brain infections such as bacterial meningitis. 

Tip: Consult an expert to get yourself examined for brain infections.

4. Allergy-related Chronic Sinusitis

When you have an allergy attack, in-house body fighters like histamines and mast cells can alter your brain functioning.

Did You Know?

The connection between histamines and brain fog was initially identified in 1986 and published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine. 

What Goes on Inside Your Brain: Research Says

Recent research has established a connection between sinus inflammation and changes in brain activity, specifically affecting the neural networks involved in cognition, introspection, and response to external stimuli.

In the research study, brain scans revealed distinct characteristics of people with chronic sinusitis;

• Decreased function in the brain network, responsible for executive function, attention, and problem-solving.
• Increased function in the brain activity, which plays a role in self-awarness, wakeful rest, and mind-wandering.
• Decreased brain function involved in detecting external stimuli, communication, and social behaviour.

The severity of sinus inflammation was equal to the range of brain function destruction.

That was for the science nerd in you!

The symptoms of 'sinusitis fog' can vary from person to person. Look out for the following neurological symptoms of sinusitis:

• Constant headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Facial Pain
• Nasal congestion
• Bad breath
• Dizziness
• Floating feel
• Trouble focusing on tasks
• Difficulty remembering things 

Get in touch with an expert to know the root cause of what you are feeling.

Natural Remedies for Sinusitis-Fog: Don't Let Brain Fog Dim the Brightness of Your Life

Brain fog from sinusitis can impact daily life. Difficulties in concentration, excess fatigue, decreased productivity, and memory problems can make you feel taken aback. You may also feel like isolating yourself, avoiding social interaction and lacking peace of mind.

However, there are ways to overcome these symptoms and keep you healthy.

When managing sinusitis fog with natural remedies, three main points are focused upon.

• Reduce inflammation
• Clear nasal blockage
• Increase the blood supply to the brain 

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water helps decrease mucus density, pushing the mucus to get expelled from the body and removing viruses and other disease-causing agents. But keep in mind that intake of fluid does not refer to the coffee, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol.

Practice ‘Usha Paana’ in the morning. That is just mindfully sipping on warm water in the morning, as per Ayurveda. 

2. Practice Steam Inhalation

Using a steamer or nebuliser to inhale steam can help open up the nasal passages and provide relief. The warmth and moisture of the steam can help reduce congestion and promote easier breathing, providing temporary relief from sinus-related symptoms.

Pro tip: Ayurveda experts advise adding mint, camphor and turmeric, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and gives a soothing effect.

3. Use Neti Pot to Cleanse and Detox

Have you heard of 'Neti-pot'? If not, then 'Neti' is a procedure of nasal cleansing practiced in traditional Indian Ayurvedic and yogic lifestyles. The procedure involves pouring a gentle stream of water, or medicated water through your nostril and letting it go out through the other nostril.

Experts say that using saline solution in neti pot can effectively cleanse your nasal passages and sinus. Be mindful to use distilled water and make sure you thoroughly clean the pot after every use.

Do you wish to know more about Neti? Connect with our yoga experts! - Click Here

4. Go for Nasya Therapy

According to Ayurveda, the nose is believed to be a direct pathway to the brain and consciousness. It serves as the entry point for prana (life force ), the vital life force that enters our body through breathing. 

For a smooth flow of prana, you must keep your nasal passage clear and unobstructed. This will influence your overall mind and body.

Isn't that what we understand from the result of positive neurophysiological changes with traditional breathing techniques? The brain activation of;

• Prefrontal cortex associated with execution function.
• The hippocampus regulates emotional function.
• Amygdala that improves emotional processing.
• Cingulate cortex for error detection and improved attention.
• Default-mode network for increased self-awareness and introspection.

This is why you need your nasal passage to be crystal clear.

How Can Nasya Help You?

• Cleansing process/Mild Detoxification
• Moisturising the inside of the nose
• Soothing and protecting nasal passages
• Relieving sinus congestion
• Reduced stress
• Promotes mental clarity

It balances the three doshas and significantly eliminates the head region's contesting kapha and inflammatory pitta.

Expand your knowledge about Ayurvedic Nasya therapy by reading this article - Nasya: Your Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Head Cleansing.

5. Keep a Humidifier in the Room

The humidifier increases the humidity in the room. How does that help? It moisturises your nasal passages, aiding in the smooth flow of mucus. This can help alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis and improve sleep quality.

6. Ayurvedic Nasal Smoke Inhalation 

Smoke inhalation? Sounds like this is unhealthy advice. Well, no! This particular procedure is called Dhumapana in Ayurveda - a medicated smoke inhalation technique.

Dhumapana is a practice where a herbal mixture is burned in ghee, and the resulting smoke is directly inhaled. The main ingredients in Dhumapana are neem leaves, turmeric, and holy basil (tulsi) leaves.

This can help reduce the kapha dosha accumulated in the hollow spaces of your skull bone (sinus).

Note: There are specific rules on how Ayurvedic dhumapana is done. Don't hesitate to contact Ayurveda experts at Nirva to get your Nasya plan personalised.

Five Nourishing Herbal Elixirs for SInusitis and Brain Fog

Get ready to prepare these.

 1. Golden Milk

Prepare a warm drink of coconut milk or just dairy milk with turmeric powder, ginger powder, and ghee added. Turmeric and ginger have amazing anti-inflammatory properties that help you heal sinusitis.

2. Tulsi (Basil)Tea

Brew a cup of tea (holy basil) by steeping fresh or dried tulsi leaves in hot water. Tulsi has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Garlic and Honey

Crush a few garlic cloves with a spoonful of raw honey. Consume this mixture daily to take advantage of garlic's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

4. Onion and Jaggery

The onion and jaggery mixture is a traditional Ayurvedic recipe for sinusitis relief. Cook and mix finely chopped onion with jaggery to form a paste. Consume a spoonful of this mixture once or twice a day.

5. Turmeric-ginger Tonic

Prepare a tonic with 1 tsp ginger and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Add half a lemon, a pinch of black pepper and 1 tsp raw honey. Sip this magic tonic slowly.

Before you try any of these, consult an Ayurvedic health expert. An ayurvedic or herbal remedy works best when taken according to your body type.

Protect Your Nasal Microbiome for Immunity!

You must have heard a lot about the gut microbiome.

But what about the 'nasal microbiome'?

Your nasal mucus has microorganisms that protect you from harmful pathogens. These help regulate your immune system, just like your gut microbiome, which is important for immunity. When there is any disturbance in this microbiome, you experience inflammation, block drainage, and promote sinus infections.

Studies show that chronic sinus infections are linked to reduced bacterial diversity in the nose, which affects the gut. Also, sinusitis can come from an over activity of the immune system that destroys even the typical microorganism in the nasal cavity as seen in autoimmune conditions or immunodeficiency disorders.

Here's What You Can do to Keep Nasal Microbiomes Healthy

• Practise mindful movement and breathwork.
• Eat Iimmunity-boosting foods.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Keep the nose moist with nasal saline sprays.
• Manage allergies effectively.
• Avoid nasal irritants like pollution and smoke.
• Regularly irrigate sinuses with a saline sinus wash.
• Take oral probiotics, especially after a course of antibiotics.
• Minimise the use of antibiotics and steroids to keep the nasal microbiome balanced.
• Get treatment for nasal congestion and structural issues if present.
• Choose saltwater pools over chlorinated pools for swimming.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and strong immune system to prevent sinus infections.

Start your healthy diet course with Nirva using the Nirva app.

Wrapping Up!

Brain fog impacts your daily life and cognitive function. No doubt about that! But, knowing how the connection works in your body is an important reminder that brain fog does not always come with aging or menopause. 

If you're looking for support in managing sinusitis and related symptoms, the experts at Nirva are here to assist you.