Every winter I would tell myself the same thing: this year my sinus problem won’t get that bad. And every winter I would be wrong. Blocked nose, heaviness around my forehead, sneezing and that irritating feeling of never being able to breathe freely had become almost routine for me. Dust and weather changes made things worse. I had tried different treatments over the years and would get relief, but the symptoms kept troubling me again.

My mother was the person who suggested SGT Ayurveda Hospital. I was not completely convinced about Ayurveda for sinus problems, but the hospital was accessible from Bahadurgarh, so I thought there was no harm in getting an opinion. I visited the Shalakya Tantra department, where the doctor took a detailed history. I was asked when my symptoms were worse, what triggered them, whether I had headaches, how I slept and whether I had any throat or ear complaints. After examining me, the doctor explained the treatment plan and also discussed Nasya and other Ayurvedic measures that could be considered based on my condition.

Nasya was completely new to me. I had heard the word from my grandmother but had no idea what actually happened during the procedure. The staff explained it beforehand, which helped because otherwise I probably would have been unnecessarily nervous. Along with the procedures and prescribed medicines, I received advice about avoiding my known triggers and following a more suitable daily routine.

The first thing I noticed over the course of treatment was that I became more aware of the early signs of my problem. Earlier, I would ignore nasal blockage until I developed significant heaviness and discomfort. Now I was actually paying attention to it. Gradually, I felt that breathing through my nose was more comfortable and the constant feeling of heaviness was less troublesome. I continued my follow-ups rather than stopping everything as soon as I felt slightly better, which is something I had done many times previously. One thing I genuinely liked was that nobody promised me that I would never sneeze or have a blocked nose again. The doctors explained that recurring complaints require attention to triggers, lifestyle and follow-up.

The atmosphere of the hospital was also comfortable. I could ask questions about the procedures and understand why something was being advised. My experience at SGT made Ayurveda feel much more practical than I had imagined. It wasn’t simply somebody handing me an oil and saying, “Use this.” There was examination, discussion, treatment and advice about what I could change in my everyday life. I still take precautions whenever the weather changes, because I know my tendency towards sinus trouble hasn’t magically vanished. But I now feel that I have a better way of managing it. And yes, my mother still reminds everyone that visiting SGT was originally her idea!