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Sinusitis, Why Am I Always Getting It?
Blog January 19, 2025

Sinusitis, Why Am I Always Getting It?

Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director

Ah, sinusitis! It reminds me of when I experienced it before. The discomfort and stuffiness back then, I can never forget it. It felt as if my head was carrying a heavy bag. Sinusitis, what we commonly refer to as inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, is truly a tricky condition. From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this isn't merely a nose problem. It's part of a larger picture connected to the body's overall balance.

"Why do I get sinusitis so often?"

Many patients often ask this question. Sinusitis is when symptoms appear due to inflammation in the paranasal sinuses, and it's like an SOS signal sent by our body. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this is often viewed as a state of 'Gi-Heo' (Qi deficiency or stagnation), resulting from a blocked flow of Gi (vital energy). If Gi, or life energy, doesn't circulate properly, problems arise throughout our body.

So, What Should Be Done?

Traditional Korean Medicine employs various approaches to treat sinusitis. The most crucial aspect is to facilitate the smooth flow of Gi. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are good examples. Acupuncture unblocks the stagnant Gi flow, and herbal medicine restores the body's internal balance. These methods boost our body's natural healing power. Furthermore, our mental state is also very important. High stress or mental fatigue can also affect the flow of Gi in our body. Therefore, methods that promote mental stability, such as meditation or yoga, are also very helpful in treating sinusitis.

How Should It Be Managed in Daily Life?

This is a frequently asked question by patients. There are various ways to prevent and manage sinusitis in daily life. First, adequate hydration is important. Drink plenty of water to maintain good fluid balance within your body. Also, be careful to prevent the air from becoming too dry. Using a humidifier or maintaining appropriate indoor humidity are good methods. Furthermore, regular exercise is also important to aid the flow of Gi in the body. Activities like light walks or stretching are beneficial. These activities help circulate Gi in our body and contribute to preventing conditions like sinusitis.

In Conclusion...

Sinusitis is indeed a tricky condition to deal with, but by carefully managing it and balancing our body and mind, we can definitely achieve good results. The combination of Traditional Korean Medicine and psychoneuroimmunology offers greater insight into such conditions. I hope the insights I've shared with you can be of some help to those suffering from sinusitis. I wish you always good health and peace of mind.

#IncheonSinusitis

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Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Dr. Yeonseung Choe Chief Director

I have met many patients who came after visiting multiple medical institutions and departments for persistent or recurrent conditions. Symptoms normally handled by different specialties—such as abdominal pain, headaches, palpitations, dizziness, and insomnia—may overlap in one person. Sometimes there is no clear improvement despite taking medication for each symptom, and being unwell gradually becomes part of daily life. In these cases, I look beyond individual diagnoses and examine how the symptoms connect and change together. Asking only about the most uncomfortable symptom today does not reveal the full course. I look at when the body first began to change and what happened after illness, surgery, childbirth, or starting and stopping medication. I also review changes in weight, diet, and sleep, then trace which symptoms improved with previous treatment and which remained. Test results, diagnoses, and the course of previous treatment are important for understanding the current condition. Clinical research in modern Korean medicine, physiological and pathological research in modern medicine, and observations recorded in classical Korean medicine texts offer different perspectives on the same body. Rather than fitting a patient into one perspective, I consider what each can and cannot explain and look for clues that connect symptoms and treatment histories that were previously considered separately.

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