Treatment For Sinus Infection

As a huge lover of ice cream, I let out a nervous laugh upon coming across this site. Then I settled down, and read the complete article. After finishing the article, I became very interested indeed.

The article asserts that home-made ice cream (like Grandma's), is relatively harmless. That's because the old folks, like Granny, put very few ingredients in their ice cream. Not so, in today's modern era where everything has to be "preserved".

Now, I admit that when I get a craving for some ice cream, I don't stand in the middle of the grocery aisle reading the label on the carton. And, I also admit that I'm not really thinking about my sinusitis when I reach the checkout counter. Maybe I should be.

Because "What Are The Symptoms.com" produced a list of ingredients in ice cream that should make even the less health-conscience among us pause and reflect. I didn't want to copy the list word-for-word. It was a very long list. In fact, it was a list of over 30 ingredients in all.

Most of them have these unpronounceable names that tie up you tongue unless you're super-smart and have degrees up the arm.

So, I took a few at random and did a google-search. I also went to Wikipedia for some additional research. So, here's what I came up with:

Ethyl Nitrate: "Used in organic synthesis and as an intermediate in the preparation of some drugs, dyes, and perfumes...Is found in the atmosphere, where it can react with other gases to form smog. Orginally thought of as a pollutant...formed mainly by the combustion of fossil fuels..."
Benzyl Acetate: "Found naturally in many flowers...has pleasant sweet aroma reminiscent of Jasmine...used widely in perfumery and cosmetics...also used as a solvent in plastics and resin...oils, lacquers, polishes, and inks..."
Ethyl Amyl Ketone: This info is from The U.S. Dept Of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): "Effects On Humans: irritant of the eyes, nose, and mucous membranes...exposure to a concentration of 25 ppm causes transient eye and upper respiratory tract irritation..."

I pretty much stopped researching after reading this. Of course this doesn't mean that I'm going to stop eating ice cream. What it does mean is that you, I, and anyone suffering from diseases like sinusitis should really begin to be aware of what we're eating.

Now, I'm sure that not all ice cream manufactures place potentially harmful chemicals into their products. At least I hope not. But, we do have to be diligent. No one will care about our health as much as we will. Especially companies that are only concerned with making their product look and taste good no matter what the cost.

Sources: What Are The Symptoms.com
Wikipedia.com
U.S. Department Of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

February 9, 2009

NCR and Sinusitis

Some months ago I included a page on Neurocranial Restructuring as a sinus infection treatment. If you'd like to view it you can go here. However, before you do, you might want to read this email that I received from Dr. Selena Eon, ND, who is a professional in this area. She wrote to explain a few points and if any of you are curious about this procedure, I've included a link back to her site. So, here is the email, in its entirety:

"I wanted to provide a comment to your site's information regarding NCR (Neurocranial Restructuring) and sinusitis.

Sinuses are cavities within the skull bones, found in the sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal and maxillary bones. As cavities, they should contain open space. Each sinus also contains ostia, small passages that allow drainage of matter accumulated in the sinuses. I like to imagine the sinuses as bathtubs-slightly angled towards the drainage point to prevent accumulation of matter in the tub. In a head with poor alignment, the sinus could be tilted in such a way as to prevent adequate drainage. As a result, microbes such as bacteria and fungi can accumulate within the sinus-causing inflammation of the tissues lining the sinus and eventually (result in) chronic sinusitis.

NCR improves the alignment of the bones in the head by adjusting the sphenoid bone. Moving the sphenoid bone incrementally adjusts the relationships of the other cranial bones that are in contact with the sphenoid.

As a result, sinus tilt can be modified. NCR treats sinusitis secondary to poor alignment, which leads to poor drainage of the sinus. This is why NCR is often helpful for recurrent sinusitis. In contrast, Balloon Sinuplasty is a procedure in which the ostia (the "drain" point) is enlarged with the inflation of a small balloon. Recent research indicates that Balloon Sinuplasty procedures are often helpful and have reasonable high patient satisfaction rates.

I can imagine that in recurrent infection, the ostia are likely to become inflamed as well, leading to poor drainage. However, I do not believe this concept does not treat the cause of recurrent infection as frequently as NCR treatments might."
In Health,

Selena Eon, ND
Dr. Eon's Site
2840 Northup Way Suite 104
Bellevue, WA 98004
(206) 228-9537 phone
(206) 350-8594 fax

February 3, 2009

Are Antibiotics Really That Ineffective?

The other day I posted here that antibiotics have come under attack in recent years. I was quoting a blog that I'd found which stated that the reason why antibiotics are ineffective is because the bacteria they're supposed to kill is constantly evolving.

I still feel that that particular blog is correct but do you think you can handle a "slightly" different viewpoint? Before I get into it, have you read "Sinus Relief Now" by Jordan S. Josephson, MD? He is the director of the New York Nasal and Sinus Center. His book is a "must have" in every sinusitis sufferers library.

Anyway, as Doctor Josephson sees it, we, the sufferers are the problem here. Doctor Josephson agrees that bacteria develop a resistance to antibiotics. The reason this happens (he says) is because the sinusitis sufferer doesn't use the medication properly.

The doctor points out that when we become ill due to infection, we are "bombarded with millions of bacteria". Half of these are sensitive to the antibiotic the doctor prescribes. The other half has a resistance to the drug.

The body can deal with the drug-resistant bacteria, provided the medication is taken over the course of 14 days. Meanwhile, the drugs will kill off the bacteria that are sensitive to it.

The problem comes after about 7 days when the sufferer, feeling better, decides to stop taking the medicine.

The drug-resistant bacteria begin multiplying and the patient starts feeling sick again. The body can't fight off this many multiplying resistant bacteria. Worst yet, the antibiotics will no longer work against the bacteria that are sensitive to it, even if you begin re-taking the drugs.

If the sufferer had continued the course for the full 2 weeks, the drugs would have destroyed the drug-sensitive bacteria. With that, the body would have been able to handle the few drug-resistant bacteria on it's own. And then the sufferer would have experienced a full recovery.

According to Doctor Josephson, it is up to the patient to take all the meds and not skip any doses. He also doesn't place much stock on the possible danger of antibiotics. The doctor feels that a lot of this is due to misuse by the sufferer. Many people will self-medicate themselves with left-over drugs from a previous illness that has passed the expiration date.

Personally I'm not ready to jump off the natural remedies bandwagon just yet. However, if you misuse any drug, what can you expect? Look at what happened to me. I misused nasal sprays for years and see what the result was.

January 29, 2009

Making The Jump To All Natural Sinusitis Cures

When we sufferers begin experiencing sinusitis symptoms, we go to a doctor for advice and treatment. We do this if we're the smart people our moms raised us to be. Of course I can remember a time in my life when I wasn't so smart. If you haven't been there already, go to my home page. There you will see what happened to me when I refused to follow the advice I'm giving you here.

Anyway, doctors, being who and what they are, will diagnose your sinusitis and prescribe certain medication. The thing is, sometimes these medications work very well. And sometimes they don't. What works for one sinus condition may not cut it when applied to another human subject. And sometimes, as in the case with nasal spray addiction, the body develops a tolerance to the medication used.

When this occurs, it may be time to explore alternative solutions. In other areas of this site I've made casual mention of "home" remedies that one can use to battle acute sinusitis. The "new" thing, of course is honey, which I've also made mention of else.

There are tons of other sites out there that specialize and champion natural or alternative remedies for sinus infection. One of the best that I've found so far is Sinus Infection Care.com. I found some very interesting articles there including one on treating sinusitis without the use of antibiotics.

We've all been there before. We get a sinus infection and go to the doctor. She prescribes some form of antibiotics. In recent years, antibiotics have come under attack as being ineffective over the long term. Why? Because the bacteria that cause infection evolve. Think about what happens when someone catches a common cold.

Person number one gets sick and the doctor prescribes an antibiotic. However, on the way to the doctor's office he passes the disease to person number two. By the time person number two experiences symptoms, the bacterial has mutated itself into a different "animal". The antibiotic that worked well for person number one may be ineffective for person number two.

This is why web sites like Sinus Infection Care suggest that a more holistic approach to sinus infection treatment may be the order of the day. The solution (they say) is to destroy the environment that the bacteria thrive in. Tradition drugs seek to attack the bacteria itself. That may be a difficult undertaking when the bacterium is steadily evolving into something else.

And finally there is the expense of drug therapy. Drugs and doctor's visits can run into some money, especially for the uninsured. Home remedies and herbal treatments may offer an inexpensive alternative. In this time of economical upheaval a penny saved is definitely a penny earned.

If you'd like to learn more about Sinus Infection Care, you can visit them here.

December 23,2008

Sinus, GERD, and Your Diet

In another part of this site I mentioned the importance of eating properly when dealing with sinus problems and GERD. If you read the last post to this blog then you know that I don't always practice what I preach (unfortunately for me).

That doesn't mean that you, my dear reader should follow my example. You'll feel a lot better dealing with your sinus and other problems if you remember that you are what you eat.

Doctors and researchers now recognize the relationship between proper health and the foods we consume. This is no less so with sinus infection treatment. In fact, one of the things that most medical professionals will recommend if you suffer from sinus problems is to eliminate (or limit) consumption of certain foods including dairy products.

I received a first-class lesson as to what can happen to you if you ignore this advice. In my blog post last week, I told you of my experiences with GERD this past Thanksgiving eve. As I mentioned, I was munching on a snack of cheese when my nose started running almost uncontrollably. There is a relationship between GERD and sinusitis and you can read about my experience below or read my little article regarding GERD And Sinusitis.

The upshot is that diary products produce mucus in sensitive people. And over-production of mucus can lead to sinus infection or a GERD attack. So, milk or cheese may have to go. I feel your pain.

If you're worried that elimination of these tasty foods will lower your calcium levels, then please don't. Calcium is important for the continuation of life and bone-building. Fortunately this mineral is found in all kinds of foods including spinach, broccoli, kale, collard greens, and nuts such as almonds and sesame.

You can replace regular milk with soy milk. Sorry, I can't join you with that one because I'm allergic to soy. But I'm sure most of you can enjoy it.

So, you see there is a way around any problem, even dietary limitations. I realize that this time of year it is tempting to feel a little sorry for ourselves when we see others enjoying foods that irritate our sinus. But we need to stop sobbing, and be thankful for what we do have. So, enjoy the holidays, kick back, and pass the broccoli.

December 14,2008

GERD and Sinusitis

Well, I certainly had an unpleasant but familiar experience this past Thanksgiving Eve. I was sitting in front of the TV, eating my favorite junk-food snack. Suddenly, my nose began to run. So, what's the big deal, you ask? Mr friend, I'm a chronic sinusitis sufferer. Anytime my nose runs it is a big deal. You see, sinusitis is not my only health issue. I also suffer from Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease, better known as GERD.

Here is the sequence of events as they unfolded this past Thanksgiving:

Sitting in front of the TV, fat (not really), dumb (well...), and happy. I'm munching away on my favorite, fatty junk food
My nose starts to run...badly!
I start coughing and choking as post-nasal drip works it's way down my throat and esophagus
I try to clear my throat...repeatedly. It begins to feel scratchy and irritated
My stomach begins to feel tight and bloated
I start regurgitating my meal (not vomiting), as acid from my stomach charges up my esophagus
More throat clearing as stomach acid hits my vocal cords, thus producing more coughing and irritation
More nose running as the cycle begins all over again

Does this sound like fun to you? I could certainly think of more enjoyable ways to spend Thanksgiving Eve. Of course it was entirely my own fault, since I know that I suffer from GERD. I was munching on cheese and crackers when my bout of GERD happened. This is a snack that I dearly love and hadn't indulged in for quite awhile. I thought I was safe and could get away with cheating a little. I was wrong!

Actually, there are many foods that can trigger a GERD attack, and they include the following:

Simple Carbohydrates (Pastries, Breads, Rice)
Cheese and Eggs
Alcohol (I love beer and had to finally give it up
Beverages containing caffeine (Colas, Coffee)
Spicy foods
Late-night snacks just before bedtime

I've gradually eliminated most of these foods from my diet, but as you can see, occasionally I slip up. The price paid is just not worth the brief pleasure received from my indulgence.

If you're wondering what GERD has to do with sinusitis or even nasal spray addiction, then you should be advised that there is indeed a relationship. You can read my brief little article about that relationship here

A Sinus Surgery Tale

For those of you who've never experienced sinus surgery and are wondering what might be in store for you, click through to "Tale Of TwoFish". This is another of those blogs that I've found very useful on blogspot.

The author relates her surgical adventure after suffering from 3 months of what she describes as "Godzilla headaches".

To say her sinusitis surgery was serious would be an understatement. It involved the removal of bone and resulted in 3 days of mouth breathing. Her nose was packed with bandages and gauze during this time.

She tells her tale with a great deal of wit and charm, which is amazing given how uncomfortable she must have been. Anyway, you can get the low-down at "Back In Action-Minus some bones from my head here, dated December 12, 2008.

Meningitis or Sinusitis?

Finally, did you hear the story about Michelle Bryant of the U.K.? The 33 year old mother of two came down with symptoms she mistook for a simple cold and headache. She was originally diagnosed as having migraine caused by sinusitis. Sent home with a bottle of pills, she became extremely ill and went back to the hospital. She collapsed on the emergency room floor. After a series of tests she was correctly diagnosed as having meningitis.

The interesting thing about this case is that there is a link between sinusitis and meningitis. In fact, Jordan S. Josephson, director of the New York Nasal and Sinus Center says that the number one cause of meningitis is sinusitis.

In a nutshell, meningitis is an infection of the brain. Any infection of your sinus can possibly travel through the veins of the nose to your brain.

Meningitis due to sinusitis is rare but when it occurs, it can be life-threatening. To complicate matters, the disease often has early symptoms that mimic other conditions. That would certainly explain why Michelle Bryant originally thought she had a simple cold and headache.

On a positive note, Mrs. Bryant recovered and is currently involved in meningitis awareness projects. Sources: Bristol.co.uk, dated December 12, 2008. "Sinus Relief Now" by Jordan S. Josephson, MD

November 22, 2008

Dr. Ketan Mehta, and "Sinus Rinse"

Do you know the work of Dr. Ketan Mehta, and his wife Nina? Well, apparently they are a huge deal in the sinusitis world.

During the 1990's Dr. Mehta, a pulmonary physician based in Sonoma County, and a sinusitis sufferer, began development of a nasal irrigation device that has revolutionized that form of treatment.

The device is named "Sinus Rinse", and is marketed by the Mehta's company, NeilMed Pharmaceuticals. Since 2000, the product has grown from a sideline, into a company that now sells product to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, as well as the U.S. and Europe.

In the process, it has helped literally millions of sinusitis sufferers and earned the respect of imitators and colleagues alike.

As with most new business start-ups, the product was slow to catch on. Dr. Mehta and his wife marketed Sinus Rinse to allergists and sinusitis specialists around the U.S. The strategy worked as favorable reviews of the product began to spread by word-of-mouth.

By the mid 2000's, NeilMed Pharmaceuticals was in profit as the good doctor developed his own version of the Neti Pot.

Sales for nasal irrigation devices in general, and Sinus Rinse in particular took off following a segment of "Oprah" which illustrated the benefits of this ancient sinus remedy. If you don't understand the differences between the traditional irrigation methods and Sinus Rinse, read my little write-up here.

Due to the increase in sinusitis infections over the years, NeilMed will probably remain a prosperous company for a long time. Nasal irrigation is seen by many professionals to be an inexpensive and pain-free alternative to sinus surgery.

A Messed-Up Sinusitis Diagnosis and A Sister's Gift

Would you like to read a chilling account about the dangers of getting misdiagnosed? That's what happened to Tania Dmyterko about 2-1/2 years ago. Her doctor prescribed medicine for sinusitis. The problem was she didn't have sinusitis. And the prescription could have killed her.

Tania checked into a clinic on April 13, 2006. She'd been feeling under the weather with a sore throat. She was given a spray for her throat and sent home.

A few days later, when the spray failed to make her feel better, she went back to the clinic. This time she was told she had an ear infection. Not satisfied, and in intense pain, she and her sister Larysa drove to the hospital. By the time they got there, Tania was bleeding from the nose, and could barely move.

It was at this point that she was diagnosed as having sinusitis, and given medicine to take home with her. Twenty-four hours later, her husband Tom had to rush her back to the hospital.

After a series of test, Tania was diagnosed as having kidney failure. The scary thing was that if she'd taken the sinusitis medication given to her earlier, she might not have lived to tell the tale. She did, however, go into renal failure.

After that, it was dialysis three times a week, after work, while waiting hopefully for a donor. As luck would have it, Tania's sister Larysa volunteered one of her kidneys. There was only one problem. After 4 blood transfusions, there were antibodies in Tania's system that would guarantee a rejection.

After 2-1/2 years of dialysis and a super-positive attitude, Tania had her bood tested again. It was discovered that the antibodies in her blood were decreasing. After three more tests with positive results, the doctors gave the go-ahead, and surgery was on.

Today, Tania considers her survival to be nothing short of a miracle. Had it not been for her loving sister's unselfish act, and her own gutsy, upbeat attitude, Tania would have faced years of dialysis.

I guess this goes to show that with the right mindset and support group, you can handle anything. You can even survive a crappy sinusitis diagnosis.

November 17, 2008

I Love Fall, But My Seasonal Sinusitis Hates It!

As I write this, New York State and New England are in the midst of my favorite time of the year. Yes, I love the cool, crisp, autumn air. This part of the U.S. is so beautiful in the fall. I love the vibrant colors and the chill that you get that makes you want to cuddle up and get nice and cozy.

Unfortunately, my sinuses do not share my passion for the early November chill. Like many of you, I suffer from seasonal sinusitis, triggered by allergens and the cold weather that I love. During the fall (and spring), I am more prone to get a sinus attack than any other time of the year. The annoying symptoms include excess mucus production during the day, with a sore throat and post-nasal drip that make me gag and cough. This is usually followed by congestion at night (with headache) when I'm trying to get to sleep.

I'm sure that much of this is due to heredity. My mother has many of the same allergies that I have, so it's no surprise that I share her problems. I didn't really notice any severity of symptoms until I reached my early thirties.

During this period, I became a jogger/runner, and ultimately a racer. I began to notice that the more time I spent outdoors training and racing, the more the mucus flowed. This was especially true during the fall and winter months. I must have been the only runner who raced with a handkerchief clutched in his fist.

Later, in the evenings, my nose would almost always get stuffy. Like most, I hated the sensation of not being able to breathe. So I took matters into my own hands, and that was when my love-hate relationship with nasal sprays began. If you haven't already, you can read about that sad tale here.

The fact that I was doing all of my training in (then) pollution-ridden New York City probably didn't help much.

Today, chronic sinusitis plus other health issues have forced me to hang up my running shoes. However, like most New Yorkers, I do a lot of walking...which is good for me (and you). But, come fall (or spring), those old symptoms return.

During the day, my nose runs faster than I ever could. And, at night, I can count on some congestion and pressure to try and interrupt my sleep patterns.

But I'm handling things a bit differently now. I freed myself from my nasal spray addiction and you can read about that journey here I no longer reach for that certain brand of nasal spray that I'd formed such an unhealthy attachment to in years gone by.

Instead, I've found that if I begin taking Nasalchrome early in the season, the symptoms are not so pronounced. That really helps me with the daytime runny nose and saves me big-time on tissues and hankies.:-)

At night, Flunisolide (a steroid) relieves congestion pretty well for me. I also inhale steam from a little Vicks Vapor Rub in a pan of boiling water if I catch the congestion early enough. Neither of the sprays I mentioned above have the addictive properties that that certain nasal spray I used to use has. No nasal spray is without problems, however. Flunisolide burns, and nasalchrome should be used early in the season and often for maximum effectiveness.

So, I still get to enjoy the cool, crisp, weather of autumn. I even get to power-walk up and down the same Prospect Park hills that I used to train on so diligently. You see? Life's not so bad after all.

...A Nasal-spray addict in recovery...

November 16, 2008

Other People's Sinusitis Blogs

One way to gage the seriousness of the current sinusitis epidemic is to note the number of books, websites, and blogs addressing the problem. With the increase in pollutants in our environment, people are developing allergic reactions like never before. I'm no scientist, but it wouldn't surprise me if our changing climate might have something to do with the increase in certain airborne allergens. And, as we sufferers know, allergens are one of the triggers that can bring on a sinusitis attack.

With over 40 million Americans alone developing sinusitis and other respiratory conditions, I don't see the situation improving anytime soon. Hence, there is a need for more useful information regarding sinus infection treatment.

In regards to blogs, over the past few months, I've discovered several very good ones that have useful tips to help us deal with sinusitis. One of them is The Sinus Info Center at blogspot. As the name implies the site deals with nothing except sinus-related problems and remedies.

Just last week, the author posted the "7 Tips For Treating Sinus Infection". Most of these suggestions are pretty simple and I'm sure you've heard them elsewhere. I've explored a few of them myself here

However, there are two recommendations that, to me, deserve special attention:

Don't Smoke! I used to smoke, and then at age thirty-two I grew a brain and stopped after 20 years. Of course I was still addicted to nasal sprays so I guess I wasn't really so smart. But at least I quit smoking; you breathe enough pollutants into your sinus cavities and lungs. Your sinuses do not need the added inflammation that cigarettes cause.
Beware of Nasal Sprays! After all, nasal spray addiction is the reason I started this site in the first place. If you think that addiction to nasal sprays is a joke, then you need to re-read (or read) my story here Trust me, using and abusing nasal sprays will develop into a continuous cycle of misery. And the funny thing is that it doesn't do a thing for your sinusitis condition, which is why you started using the sprays in the first place. Be Warned!

Anyway, you can visit The Sinus Info Center at this location. With millions of people suffering from sinusitis worldwide, we could use all the information we can get.

November 7, 2008

Diet and Supplements Can Help as a Sinus Infection Treatment

For a more dietary approach to sinus infection treatment, you may want to view Mohamad Ali's blog "Toward a Healthy Well-Being", dated November 3rd, 2008.

Mr. Ali recommends:

Limiting your intake of starches and diary products
A 3-5 day food program of fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, and salads with onions (I vouch for the onions)
Like the Mayo Clinic, Mr. Ali suggests avoiding alcohol, and smoking. He also recommends avoidance of coffee, tea, sugar, salt and strong spices.
Finally, there are supplements you can use as a sinus infection treatment. These include multiple vitamins, garlic, and zinc.

I think you will find the "Towards a Healthy Well-Being" blog very informative reading on a variety of health issues.

November 6, 2008

Mayo Clinic and Sinusitis Home Remedies

It seems that the world-famous Mayo Clinic agrees with the old saying that "mother knows best". According to the clinic's Women's HealthSource, mom knew what she was talking about when she recommended old-fashioned, tired and true remedies to combat chronic sinus infection. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways, according to Mayo, and they won't necessarily break your pocketbook, either.

I've mentioned some of the sinus infection treatments elsewhere, but in the event that you need a refresher, here they are:

Nasal irrigation: With a saline solution (saltwater)
Steam treatment: This one helped me somewhat when my left nostril closed up after years of nasal spray addiction
Warm compresses: I still do this one when there is pain
Drink fluids: This thins out the mucus which then allows drainage
Don't smoke or drink alcohol: Smoking irritates even the healthiest of sinuses.

Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch, November 4, 2008 November 5, 2008

Sinusitis and Migraine Differences

Here is something interesting. Do you know the difference between Sinusitis and Migraine headaches? I know very little about migraines since (thank God) I've never had one. At least I think I've never had one, although after reading Nurse Barbs Blog, I'm not so sure.

It would seem that chronic sinusitis and migraines share many of the same symptoms. In fact, sufferers may think they are having a sinus headache, when, in fact, it is a migraine. Like sinusitis, migraines often leave the individual with pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and nose. There can also be pain behind the eyes, accompanied by a throbbing headache. True sinusitis usually produces the nasal discharge and fever we sufferers are familiar with. Who knew you could actually mistake one for the other.

If you'd like to know more, check out Nurse Barbs Blog

Nurse Barb is a practicing Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and an award winning author. Her blog covers a wide range of health related topics, including sinusitis. Good stuff!

October 15, 2008

The Power Of Honey

I'm both excited and disappointed at the same time. I'm excited for most of yu and disappointed for myself and others like me. I found out recently that there is a good possibility that honey can be used as a sinus infection treatment. A recent Canadian study at the University of Ottawa has discovered that honey is more effective in battling the bacteria that causes sinusitis than antibiotics.

The scientists used certain honeys from New Zealand and Yemen which had a much more powerful killing effect on bacterial than the drugs that are in common usage. You can read more about this discovery here:

Since this disease effects over 30 million Americans annually, (not to mention world-wide statistics), this is wonderful news. Finally we have an affordable treatment that shows signs of working. I couldn't be happier for most of you.

Unfortunately, I cannot totally share in your happiness. Why? This is because like many people, I am allergic to honey. Yes, honey is on my list of forbidden foods along with citric acids (most fruits), seafood, chocolate, and most recently, wheat.

Don't worry; I refuse to have a pity-party! For the millions of people out there who will benefit from this new discovery, I'm happy. And for the rest of us who can't partake in the honey remedy, I guess researchers will just have to keep working.

September 8,2008

My Cool Sinusitis Specialist

If you've explored other areas of this site, you've probably read how I battled my addiction to nasal sprays the hard way. I went cold turkey! And I can tell you that was not the most pleasant of experiences. In fact, it was a nightmare.

What I didn't go into detail about was the fact that after the sprays began to lose their grip on me, I still had very bad sinusitis and breathing difficulties. The initial cause of the disease (the infections, etc) had not been dealt with.

So, one fine day in late spring of 2005, I grew a brain and went to a specialist. I remember her well. She was a very attractive blond, young enough to be my daughter. Like many doctors she had that attitude of cool detachment, while being sympathetic.

She listened to my tale without comment, and shock her head slightly when I told her how long I'd been using the sprays, and how my nose had closed up on me. She then opened up her computer, typed in all my "information", and prescribed a steroid spray called Flunisolide.

Needless to say, after all I'd been through, I wanted to have nothing to do with any spray. She gently encouraged me to give it a try. But she gave me a stern warning: "Once you start, you have to give the steroid a fair shot. You have to give it a chance to work. It will not be an overnight thing. You may even experience some stuffiness. It may feel like its not working. Give it a chance."

Well, the first night I tried it, I experienced some panic. The stuffiness the doctor had mentioned came on with a vengeance. After my recent history, this was the last thing I wanted. But over the coming weeks, I stuck with it. Gradually, the stuffy sensation went away, and so did a lot of the symptoms that breed the infection.

Anyway, when I went back to see her in about a month, she seemed very pleased with the results. She gave me a refill of the Flunisolide and asked me if I was still using the nasal spray. I told her I was not. She smiled slightly and started telling me how dangerous the sprays were. She went on and on, like an evangelist.

There was something in her voice...uncharacteristic passion, perhaps?? Whatever it was that I sensed, it prompted me to say, "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you had some personal experience in this area, beyond your capacity as a doctor".

She was typing out my prescription as I spoke up. Her delicate fingers froze in mid-keystroke. She glanced up from her computer and fixed me with a steady gaze. A ghost of a smile appeared on her thin lips. Then she returned to her typing. I guess even doctors sometimes make poor life-choices just like the rest of us do.

August 29, 2008

More Modern Sinus Treatments May be Nudging Antibiotics To The Side

It seems that some experts in the medical community are finding out what many have suspected for awhile: That antibiotics are not exactly the perfect sinus infection treatment. This is particularly true if the sinusitis is viral in nature. Antibiotics may be effective in the short-term if the infectin is bacterial. But they are practically useless if the sinus infection is viral. And most sinusitis attacks are viral.

In addition, the possible side effects of antibiotics are well known. They include breathing difficulties, skin irritation, stomach problems, and headache. As of last year, new guidelines have been created for the treatment of sinus infection. The American Academy Of Otolaryngology suggests that doctors should not give antibiotics to patients until 10 days have passed. The thinking is that if the infection lasts more than 10 days, then it is probably bacterial in nature. Then it is up to the doctor's discretion to treat with antibiotics.