| |
| |
|
WebsiteAlways |
|
Sinus Infection Symptoms, Antibiotics, and Alternative Medicine
Modern Living, Complex Health Problems In our post-modern industrial polluted stress-filled bad-diet culture, no one's health is simple. We are plagued by complex long-term illnesses like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, AIDS, even sinus problems... it may seem weird to you that I include sinus infections, but the root causes of sinus trouble can be quite complicated... Especially if they are long-term. Antibiotic Overuse Problems I hate to say it (because antibiotics are so great in some situations, and so popular overall), but antibiotics can complicate things even further - there are conditions that do not respond to them... and there are many situations in which they are not even indicated. Physicians have over-prescribed antibiotics for years... they know it, there have been studies that show it, and as a profession they've moved away from that. But people still want to leave the doctor's office with a prescription, a magic-bullet. Of course, sometimes the issue is which antibiotic is the most appropriate one. They don't all work for everything. Antibiotic Side Effects - When They're Wrong If the sinusitis hasn't responded to antibiotics, then either the wrong ones were prescribed, or you need to try another kind of treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicine can address the full spectrum of complaints and causes; we often treat the conditions which are not responding to conventional treatments like antibiotics. A woman wrote me about how antibiotics weren't solving her diarrhea problem- this can happen when the disease is cold in nature. Antibiotics are cold and bitter; these qualities help it fight the dampness and heat of bacterial infections. But they are more of the same damage when the disease is cold or deficient in nature. Acupuncture and moxibustion (the warming of acupuncture points) can also be effective; some people respond very quickly... results vary depending upon a number of factors (the acupuncturist's education, accuracy of diagnosis, frequency of treatment, and patient compliance with diet and lifestyle suggestions). Cold and Deficient If the mucus is clear or white, then it is more likely cold in nature. That fits with a Spleen-system deficiency and dampness. That would fit with the pulse she felt. You would have lowered appetite, feel fatigued, have loose stool, and possibly feel cold easily. Antibiotics wouldn't help here, and could even make things worse. Sinus Infection Symptoms The classic acute sinusitis symptoms are nasal congestion, green nasal phlegm, facial/dental pain, eye pain, headache, and a cough at night. Some patients also complain of fever, feeling ill, bad breath and a sore throat. Chronic sinusitis is more difficult to diagnose. You can have the same symptoms above in a milder form. Chronic means long-term; it's not usually thought of as chronic unless it's been going on for 2 months or more. Sinus Infection Causes Sinus problems can be caused by many things- you have to think about environmental and food allergies (allergic sinusitis), chronic sinus infection, and chronic colds. Without more information, it's hard to be specific. Sinusitis often develops after colds, and can become a chronic problem. The sinuses are very small... one of our weak points, especially for people with weakened immune systems or in the presence of irritants (once again, pollution, allergens, etc.)... she probably asked about the farms and pesticides while she was thinking about the cause of your chronic sinusitis. Mold, Fungus, and Sick Buildings And we can't forget about mold! While some people appear to be more sensitive than others, fungus can cause fungal sinusitis. This gets into the whole 'sick-building' topic... Mold can grow in the walls of houses and offices, and is not always easy to detect. Decongestant Side Effects Decongestants are often prescribed. They work by drying you out. Unfortunately, they don't just dry the mucus. Long-term use of decongestants can lead to other problems, like the dry or heat types of sinus inflammation. This is why, in Chinese Medicine, we always balance an herb with other herbs- if we are drying the phlegm, we also moisten at the same time. Moisture helps the sinuses drain- you remember that Crocodile-Dundee-put-your-head-under-the-steaming-pot-thing? Likewise, there are chinese herbs whose function it is to moisten and transform phlegm. Serious Causes of Sinusitis, and Serious Solutions For those with chronic sinusitis, tests need to be done to rule out the serious things. Sinusitis can be just a simple end-of-your-cold complication, but it can also show up as part of: nasal tumors, fungal infections, and HIV or other immunodeficiency. What about the sinusitis surgery? It works from 50-93% of the time... so it can be a great help if you're sick and tired of it, and nothing else has worked. but it's also a super-painful process! I would see an herbalist first. Brian Carter has been making herbs and acupuncture fun and easy to understand since 1999 when he founded the Pulse of Oriental Medicine (http://www.pulsemed.org/), now a megasite that receives 15,000 pageviews per day. Brian is the author of "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind:How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure." (http://www.pulsemed.org/bookpreview.htm) Brian is a medical professor and public speaker. He writes articles, blogs (http://americas-acupuncturist.blogspot.com/), and speaks on radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by publications like Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.
MORE RESOURCES:
Alternative - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Top 10 Trends in Healthcare America is undergoing a dramatic shift in healthcare. Actually, ten distinctly different shifts. How Essential Oils Differ From Dried Herbs Essential Oils are the heartbeat of the plant kingdom, and are perhaps the most exciting life-giving substance we have in the world today. They represent in plants what blood represents in humankind - life! This heartbeat is the energy that was created to deliver the nutrients into every cell of the body. Understanding Holistic Living Holistic living is simply living your life with all aspects of it in mind, not just in reference to one part or a few of them. Your entire lifestyle must come under scrutiny and improved upon for the betterment of your existence. Gratitude Here's a quick question: You've got a bad cold. Do you moan and groan about your misfortune, or do you crawl into bed, grateful to be able to pull the covers back over your head and give your body the rest it's asking for?Probably a little of both, right?Here's a secret: the more you're able to shift into a perspective of gratitude, the easier life becomes because you move through the stressful parts more quickly. Honey - Natural Treatment for Wounds and Burns Honey is a highly concentrated sugar solution produced by honeybees. It is commonly used as substitute for sugar or a flavor enhancer. The Universal Calibration Lattice - Your Own Personal Connection to the Universal Energy Source Now is an incredible time to be on Earth. All of us in our divine wisdom agreed to be here doing the journey of human at this most auspicious time in the annals of humankind. Fraicheur DAgrume (Citrus Fruits): Freshness in a Bottle Citrus oils are perhaps one of the more popular essential oils for perfumery. They provide a fresh, invigorating and stimulating aroma that is indispensable in fragrances. Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using flax seeds with other seeds and nuts. They provide the fiber and oils that you need to relieve constipation. Guide To Some Common Herbs That Heal Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments and while they should not take the place of medical advice, can be a great supplement to your current medical care. There are many common herbs that have healing properties which you may not even know about. Using Asian Herbal Combinations for Treating Hemorrhoids Asian HerbsI have found Chinese herb formulations quite effective in treating hemorrhoid symptoms. It is now easy to find these herbs, since there are Chinese herb store in most cities. Basic Reiki This is a very simplified primer on basic Reiki. It's intended as a basic lesson to help someone get started channeling the energy and in no way should be considered a Reiki Course in itself. Quit Smoking Consider this:Already since 1972, over 60 million people in the USA alone have successfully quit smoking!At one stage over 60% of the adult population was addicted to this drug. Today it is 28% and dropping. Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs - Simply Light Years Ahead! Sunlight is a vital nutrient, which regulates the activity of the hypothalamus gland that secretes seratonin, controlling our moods, biorythms, sleep patterns, body temperature, digestion and sex drive. In addition, the photochemical action of sunlight on our skin activates the production of vital Vitamin D essential for growth and maturation of cells, the maintenance of the bones and a healthy immune system. ADHD The Easier Solution ADHD is a very rapidly growing part of the health care industry. The symptoms are varied, including: irritability, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Is Shiatsu Massage the Ultimate Stress Relief Treatment? My first shiatsu massageI opened my eyes suddenly. He was smiling at me. More Sinus Headaches Home Remedies One of the best sinus headaches home remedies, is called acupressure. All you got to know is your sinus points and then you can use this acupressure method to treat your self and rid yourself of the pain, and the best thing about the acupressure method is that it has no side effects. How to Cure Allergy Naturally? When the immune system in our body finds or realizes anything as foreign to the body, it immediately releases antibodies like histamines to fight against the foreign substance. This causes inflammation which is called allergy in our body. Roundworm and Parasitic Infections A parasite is an organism that lives off, and generally within, a host body. This can include your body, or the body of an animal, like your pet. Massage Magic - Music & Touch What Massage Therapists Do!Have you ever thought what massage therapists actually do? Ideally, they provide a safe, warm and comfortable environment. There are soft clean linens, warm aromatic oils, background music, their knowledge of how the body works, warm hands and a sincerely caring touch that guides you into relaxation of those tired and stressed muscles. About Child Bedwetting Bedwetting also known as nocturnal Enuresis is a common problem that is encountered in children below 6 years. Many of the children bed wet since they have no control over the bladder.
|
| Interesting articles | Home | site map | Link |
| © 2006 |
