Month: March 2016

How many times have you heard someone say: “I think I’m coming down with a cold.”? No doubt many times. In fact, most of us have said that or made a similar statement, ourselves. Now a days when someone I know tells me that I usually reply: “Could it be allergies?” Because many of those “colds” are probably allergy reactions to the environment. As I look back to my childhood days one cannot, but wonder at the strong possibility that all those tablespoons of cod liver oil my mother faithfully administered—-in their full natural flavor, as commonly done in those days–to prevent my getting a “cold,” although not a bad idea were probably unnecessary since my frequent runny nose, coughing and post nasal drip were very likely caused by allergens. Even, perhaps, by the thick smog that had developed in the large city I grew up in.

As I studied my sinus problem several years ago, I came to the conclusion that the two main causes of my problem were: some foods and environmental allergies. Whenever I indulged in a milk shake or a large serving of ice cream I had serious post nasal drip in a matter of hours. And whenever I had a large glass of cow’s milk 3 or more days in a row I had the same result. I would stop drinking milk for several days or stop eating ice cream and the sinuses would clear up in just a few days. The seeming correlation became so obvious that I finally decided, a number of years ago, to stop using these food items on a regular basis and, of course, the sinuses cleared up indefinitely.

Then came spring time and as weeds and their flowers, and trees and their own flowers made their appearance once again in our area, the same allergic reaction I had had to the foods already mentioned, above, began to reappear, except that  I wasn’t using them. So, it became obvious that I was allergic to certain pollens and probably other allergens. I had pollen allergy tests made and sure enough there were a number of pollens I was very allergic to. With these results on hand the only alternative I had was: move to a place where there were not pollens I was allergic to–probably something rather impossible–or begin to receive allergy injections on a regular basis. I opted for the latter.

Several years went by and we moved farther North where carpets are more commonly used than in the Southwest and I began to once again have “cold” symptoms. At least that’s what we thought at first. Since I was hardly using cow’s milk and had resumed the allergy injections my wife and I wondered, what could the cause of the post nasal drip, etc., be this time. So I went back to an allergy specialist in our new area. After doing some testing he found I was very allergic to house dust. In the process of being given the allergy tests I found that not all house dust is created equal. Some dusts contain large amounts of dust mite droppings. This kind of mites thrive in a humid and warm environment, like the one produced by the human body while lying in bed, where the mites eat mostly microscopic particles of human skin that rubs off there and on the carpet. The tests did show I was very allergic to that kind of house dust. Thereupon I was given minute instructions by my doctor on how to shield my bed from the little varmints and their droppings. The devastating allergic effects I was having began to subside, especially when to my allergy injections was added the dust mite droppings antigen.

There can definitely be an allergy connection to sinus pressure and other sinus problems. My case is not unique. If one is suffering from ongoing sinus problems it might not be a bad idea to consider testing for allergies to the environment and possibly foods, especially if your health insurance covers these tests.

One common ailment that affects millions is sinus drainage. In many cases this can be dealt with successfully. A few tips offered here could make the difference between this sinus misery and being free from it. Frankly, the answer could be simpler than many think. For example consider allergies.

House dust

There are many types of house dust–at least this is what an allergy specialist will tell you. Some people have cats and/or dogs living inside their homes and inherit their pets’ dander. Some of us, don’t have pets. This is one reason why dust may vary from house to house. One way to find out if you are allergic to house dust is to get real close to the carpet or floor and breath in some of the dust and see what happens. Often, depending on how allergic you may be to it, the reaction is almost instantaneous. Or it may take a few minutes to manifest itself. If you are not sure of the result you can see an allergy specialist and most likely he would be glad to run a test on several kinds of house dust and see which one you may be allergic to. The test is done on the arm by injecting a small amount of serum from house dust.

Plant pollens

You may be allergic to a few pollens or to many and in various degrees. If you suspect a specific flower from shrubs, trees, weeds, etc., that you may be allergic to get real close to it and sniff some of the pollen and see what happens. In some cases the reaction is quite potent, so you may want to approach the plant or tree gradually before breathing deeply close to it. As with house dust there are tests that can be administered to find out for sure the degree of any allergy to pollens. I was allergic to several pollens and once I began to receive allergy injections on a regular basis for several weeks my sinus drainage was reduced by about 80 percent.

Chemicals

Our modern society demands a variety of chemicals to make our lives more comfortable. The problem is that some of them can be quite potent and produce allergic reactions in certain persons. Certain brands of bath soaps, laundry detergents, deodorants, bath room cleansers, room fresheners, etc., could be the cause of an allergic reaction that in turn triggers the sinus drainage. So you may want to experiment a bit and see if any of these items could have a chemical or other substance that is at least part of the cause of your excessive sinus drainage.

Conclusion

It usually pays to be observant and willing to spend some time checking elements in your environment which you could be allergic to and that are the main cause of your excessive sinus drainage.

There will be possibly over 60 million people who will have to deal with some type of an allergic reaction due to allergies. Possibly one out of every four people will look for a solution to deal with allergies in their lifetime. In children, it is the the third most common chronic disease, in America, it is the fifth most common chronic disease. Allergies can come upon you when you least expect it, and stay seemingly a lifetime.

Pollen Allergies

Pollen is mainly found outside where there are trees, grass and weeds are. Pollen is released into the air during the beginning of Spring.  It floats throughout the air and enters into the nasal cavity. It cause you to sneeze sometimes uncontrollably. From there it enters into the body and can possibly trigger an allergic reaction. Hydration of the body can help flush the allergen out the body. You also have to remove yourself from that area, to prevent further reaction. Other pollen types are dust mites, mold spores and cockroach pollen. Each of these allergens can be prevented, if you continue to maintain a clean air filter in your house. Make sure you dust the window sills and furniture as it collects easily. 

Skin Allergies

Skin Allergies are the more common forms of allergies. Skin allergies can be triggered by a number of things such as, fragrant soaps, laundry detergent, and plants. Poison oak, Ivy and Sumac can initiate an allergic reaction like never before. Once you come in contact with one of these plants, you will know if you are allergic to them or not. You will begin to itch in the area that came in contact with the plant, and  redness and/or swelling will take place. Latex gloves can cause an allergic reaction, many people are allergic to latex gloves. It can possibly be the powder from the gloves or merely the plastic. There are some over-the-counter medication that can treat it. In more severe cases, medical attention may be necessary.

Food Allergies

Food Allergies are sometimes unexpected, unless you are aware that you are allergic to a certain type of food. It is not uncommon that many people deal with various types of food allergies. Some of the common food allergies are, seafood, shellfish, and peanuts to name a few. An allergic reaction to food allergies can include, skin irritations, swelling of Lymph nodes, watery eyes or uncontrollable sneezing. If you find yourself dealing with any of these symptoms, discontinue immediately what you are eating and seek medical attention. Children are more susceptible to food allergies than adults, this does not however make an adult’s reaction less severe. Make sure you monitor what your child is eating at all times. If there’s an allergic reaction, you will then know what they are not able to eat. Immediate medical attention is important for the full recovery of that child.

Allergies can be as simple as a sneeze or scratchy throat, or as threatening as your eyes closing shut. If you are aware of what triggers an allergic reaction in you. Do everything you can to avoid the situation. Once you are aware of your allergies, you will have a better handle when it comes to an allergic reaction. 

Could allergies or some foods be the main cause of your sinus problems, especially sinus pressure? Finding out could mean less suffering plus saving time and expense. Here we will go to the cause and effect relationship that could exist among them; and explain a simple way to find out. Finally we will make some suggestions that may help keep your sinus pressure at bay.

What really is sinus pressure?

Whenever anything in the environment–pollens, pollutants, chemicals, dust, smog–irritate the membranes lining the nasal and sinus cavities, the body tries to remove the irritant by producing an extra amount of mucus to moisten and protect these membranes. Additional secretion is also caused by virus infection or “colds.” In either case the mucus is so abundant that it cannot flow fast enough from the sinus into the nasal cavity and thus it accumulates. The irritation of those membranes causes them to swell, blocking the small opening through which mucus and air flow. The result is sinus pressure.

The allergy connection

Allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to a substance–an allergen. It can be inhaled, ingested or come in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction can be severe and accompanied by a large amount of sinus mucus and swelling of the sinus membranes, which blocks the sinus opening and causes pressure and pain. Two common environmental allergens are house dust and pollen. Whenever sinus pressure is caused by allergies the allergen involved must be ascertained. This is done with precision by allergy testing by a physician. If an environmental allergen is identified injections can be given, in increasing doses, to desensitize the body from the allergen. Sinus pressure would then disappear gradually. In less severe cases the use of an antihistamine is often sufficient.

The food connection

Empirical–derived from experience–data strongly suggests the connection between certain foods and some sinus problems. As a former sinus sufferer I can attest to that. Whenever the use of these foods was discontinued for a period of time the sinus condition disappeared, until they were used again. You could try this approach and judge the results for yourself.

Sinus pressure prevention

The best way of dealing with an ailment is to prevent it. Reducing the use of or dropping certain mucus producing foods would make sense. When allergies may be the cause of the problem, histamine containing or producing foods should be avoided. Having this information makes possible an adjustment in the diet.

Often the solution to sinus pressure has been found by just adjusting the diet and using additionally some simple remedy, whether medicinal or natural. Doing some experimentation, safely, with a good amount of plain common sense added to it, was the way some of us found the cure to sinus pressure. So, give it a try and you could surprise yourself with the results.