Thursday, October 11, 2007

Help For Sinus Infection

The above website contains information gathered and researched on Sinus Infection issues. It covers topics like:

1. Understanding Sinus Infection.

2. The causes of Sinus Infection

3. Sinus Infection Symptoms

4. Sinus Infection Treatment

5. Preventing Sinus Infection

6. Natural Home Remedies

7. Related Illnesses

Under Home Remedies, there is a detailed write-up about Nasal Irrigation. This is the most effective drug-free alternative for the treatment and prevention of Sinus Infection.

I hope this website can provide most of the answers you seek regarding this debilitating condition.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Mold Allergy-Symptoms and Prevention

Mold allergy is less common than other allergies. Out of the thousands of types of mold in the environment, only a few dozen can cause allergic reactions that pose a threat to human health. Mold grows in all kinds of climates and thrives both indoors and outdoors; consequently, mold allergy does not have a defined season like pollen allergy does. When microscopic mold spores are inhaled, they often cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever symptoms) by irritating the lining of the nose. They sometimes reach the lungs and cause asthma.
Symptoms of mold allergy include:
Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion
Chronic cough
Itchy, watery and red eyes
Skin rashes and hives
Sinus headaches
Reduced lung capacity and difficulty breathing
Certain foods that are processed with mushrooms and dried fruits can aggravate the symptoms of mold allergy. Foods that contain ingredients such as yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar can also upset the body's system and worsen the symptoms.
Who is at greater risk?People can develop a mold allergy if they or other family members have allergic reactions to substances such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander. However, similar to other allergies, suffering from one type of mold does not necessarily lead to being allergic to all molds since mold spores vary.
People whose occupations regularly expose them to mold are at a greater risk of developing allergies. Farmers, dairymen, loggers, bakers, mill workers, carpenters, greenhouse employees, winemakers and furniture repair persons are often subject to allergic reactions.
PreventionThe chances of getting a mold allergy can be significantly reduced by following these tips:
Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing plant materials
Reduce the humidity indoors to prevent fungi from growing
Check for mold in your home
TestingThe allergy skin test is the most accurate way of discovering if one is allergic to mold. An alternative is the allergy blood test, which produces the same results as a skin test. The allergy blood test is better suited for people with very sensitive skin, or for people who take medication that may cause inaccurate skin test results.
Treatments
MedicationMedication for mold related allergy is the same as that of pollens and other inhalant allergies, which consists of bronchodilators, antihistamines,
Immunotherapy A series of injections given in gradually increasing dosages can be administered to help treat mold allergy. The injections include extracts of various allergens to help the body develop a tolerance to that allergen.
Gary Martin is a freelance writer specializing in health and allergy research for the Mold Removal Unit - http://www.moldunit.com/ website.
Mold allergy is less common than other allergies. Out of the thousands of types of mold in the environment, only a few dozen can cause allergic reactions that pose a threat to human health. Mold grows in all kinds of climates and thrives both indoors and outdoors; consequently, mold allergy does not have a defined season like pollen allergy does. When microscopic mold spores are inhaled, they often cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever symptoms) by irritating the lining of the nose. They sometimes reach the lungs and cause asthma.
Symptoms of mold allergy include:
Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion
Chronic cough
Itchy, watery and red eyes
Skin rashes and hives
Sinus headaches
Reduced lung capacity and difficulty breathing
Certain foods that are processed with mushrooms and dried fruits can aggravate the symptoms of mold allergy. Foods that contain ingredients such as yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar can also upset the body's system and worsen the symptoms.
Who is at greater risk?People can develop a mold allergy if they or other family members have allergic reactions to substances such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander. However, similar to other allergies, suffering from one type of mold does not necessarily lead to being allergic to all molds since mold spores vary.
People whose occupations regularly expose them to mold are at a greater risk of developing allergies. Farmers, dairymen, loggers, bakers, mill workers, carpenters, greenhouse employees, winemakers and furniture repair persons are often subject to allergic reactions.
PreventionThe chances of getting a mold allergy can be significantly reduced by following these tips:
Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing plant materials
Reduce the humidity indoors to prevent fungi from growing
Check for mold in your home
TestingThe allergy skin test is the most accurate way of discovering if one is allergic to mold. An alternative is the allergy blood test, which produces the same results as a skin test. The allergy blood test is better suited for people with very sensitive skin, or for people who take medication that may cause inaccurate skin test results.
Treatments
MedicationMedication for mold related allergy is the same as that of pollens and other inhalant allergies, which consists of bronchodilators, antihistamines,
Immunotherapy A series of injections given in gradually increasing dosages can be administered to help treat mold allergy. The injections include extracts of various allergens to help the body develop a tolerance to that allergen.
Gary Martin is a freelance writer specializing in health and allergy research for the Mold Removal Unit - http://www.moldunit.com website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G_Martin
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Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Sinus Infection Medication - Interesting Read

I found this interesting article on Sinus Infection while doing a research about this illness. Hope this helps all sufferers alike:

Sinus infection or sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. Sinuses are the hollow cavities in the bones around the nose. When these sinuses get inflamed because of some viral or fungal infection, it results in blockage of air or mucus inside, which causes lot of pain and discomfort, often known as a sinus attack. Sinus infections are very common and millions of people are attacked each year.

There are three kinds of sinus attacks: acute, chronic, and recurring. Acute sinus attacks are severe and last for around three weeks. Chronic attacks are more severe and last for three to eight weeks or more. Recurring sinus infections, on the other hand, are those that frequently appear over a period of time. Medication is given according to the kind of attack. Chronic sinus infections need prolonged treatment, whereas normal sinus infections can be treated with over-the-counter drugs.

There are many home remedies for treating sinus infections. Though these remedies may not provide any lasting cure, they definitely give some relief. Some common home remedies are: steam inhalation, hot or a cold compress over the inflamed area, a decoction of mustard seed powder and water instilled in the nostrils, consumption of jalapeno peppers, consumption of the juice of ripe grapes, application of a paste of cinnamon and water on the forehead, application of a paste of ginger and water/milk on the forehead, application of a paste of basil leaves, cloves and dried ginger on the forehead, inhalation of steam from eucalyptus oil, warm tea, and so on.

Medication also depends on the actual cause of the sinus infection. Sometimes, sinus infections are a result of some other ailments like asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergies to fungi, primary immune deficiency, HIV infection, cystic fibrosis and others. These infections have to be treated before treating the sinusitis itself. Medication for sinusitis usually involves a decongestant to clear the sinuses, an antibiotic to fight the infection, and a pain killer. Decongestant can be in the form of tablet or nasal spray. Some chronic cases can be treated using steroids like prednisone. However, steroids are not generally preferred because of the possible side effects. Acute or chronic sinus infections may require prolonged therapies like saline nasal rinses, topical/oral decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytic agents, and intranasal corticosteroids. Sinus infections that cannot be cured by medication require surgery. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a common surgery for enlarging the sinus openings and allowing drainage.

Sinus Infections provides detailed information about sinus infections, sinus infection symptoms, sinus infection treatment, home remedy for sinus infection and more. Sinus Infections is the sister site of Topical Vitamin C.

This article actually tells us what the treatment options are available out there quite accurately. I, myself, have been given the same treatment from my ENT specialist. At the same time, I am experimenting with some of the natural remedies and hopefully they can help be better control Sinus Infection.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

All About Sinus Infection And Help Resource

Hello World,

This is my first blog about a condition called Sinus Infection. I did not realise initially that I have such a problem because it was not serious enough for me to notice it. As early as 1995, I started feeling groggy on waking up in the morning. This went on for months and I decided to see a General Practioner regarding this problem. A blood test was done which did not show anything unusual except for an abnormal reading on the ESR test. The doctor in attendance told me it could be just stress owing to lack of sleep and told me to adopt a less stressful lifestyle. It was comforting to know that I am not suffering from any serious health problems such as Cancer. But still, I was not convinced and went to an Opthalmologist to check if my eyes were alright. Numerous tests were done and again. I was given a clean bill of health. Even though the problem persisted for the next 12 years, I lived with this debilitating condition.

This year 2007, I fell ill in January. I had fever, cough and sore throat and the doctor prescribed the usual course of antibiotics to treat the illness. I recovered but the cough persists. Then in February, I was sick again with the same symptoms. Another course of antibiotics was prescribed. However in March, I was again sick with the same symptoms except that this time, both my ears were blocked. Now, I was getting worried and even though the doctor could not detect any problems with my lungs through a stethoscope, she was a little worried as my cough did not clear up for more than 2 months. I went for a chest X-Ray and the results were negative. So, she suggested that I see an ENT specialist.

The ENT specialist identified the problem as Sinus Infection and prescribed me a course of steroids to clear up the inflammation in the Nasal area. Within a week, the groggy feeling which I have been having for more than 10 years disappeared. I felt like a new person. My head and vision was clear and I don't feel the congestion in the facial area anymore!

I thought I was totally cleared of this Sinus Infection forever! But alas, it was not to be. The problem came back as soon as I was off the steroids. The ENT specialist suggested that I go through a procedure called "Ablation of the Turbinates". I have not done so because I need to find out more about such a procedure and if anyone has gone through this before. It seems that my turbinates are always enlarged and my nose is stuffed up as a result of that. I suspect that there is something I am allergic to, but I cannot pinpoint what it is as yet.

Currently, I am performing Nasal Irrigation to combat the effects of the Sinus Infection. This helps to a certain extent, but I have to do this a few times a day in order to feel better.

I hope to hear from all you Sinus Infection sufferers like myself and what you do to contain this ailment.

Thanks and warmest regards,

Dr Allergy