Nasal Irrigation Wards Off Sinus Infections
People who suffer from chronic sinus infections know the warning signs when one might be coming on. Doctors at Baylor College of Medicine say that is a good time to try preventative measures, such as nasal irrigation, to lessen the symptoms or prevent the infection from worsening.
Nasal irrigation is the cleansing of the nasal cavity with sterile salt water to flush out excess mucus or debris from the sinuses and nose, such as with the use of a neti pot.
Do These Things Work For Kids
Sinus infections make everyone miserable, children as well as adults!
Most of the tips above also work for kids, but antihistamines arent recommended for young children.
Young children cant blow their noses well, so helping them thin and clear the mucus from their nose is beneficial.
A nasal aspirator or a product like the Nose Frida can be a lifesaver in helping young children breathe through their nose.
A warm bath can help clear the sinuses and take a childs mind off their illness.
Kids are often fascinated by the condensation that forms on surfaces in a steamy room. To occupy them while a hot shower runs in the bathroom, try tracing pictures with them on the mirror!
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Strategies To Support Immune & Nasal Health
There are many natural ways to support immune & nasal health such as diet, supplements, teas, nasal and mouth sprays, and essential oils. It is important to know that these strategies are not FDA approved to prevent, mitigate, treat or cure sinus infections but they can help the body to function better.
These are all strategies that I personally practice if I ever have a sinus infection and they really help! I recommend my clients practice some of these on a regular basis and others when they feel more susceptible to getting ill. If you begin to have early symptoms, it is a great time to immediately dial in these support strategies.
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Q: How Can I Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis From Returning
A: Because we dont know exactly what causes BV, it can be difficult to say exactly what will prevent it. However, there are a number of measures that may help:
- Condom use: People who use condoms have a lower risk of BV. Although no one has studied whether starting to use condoms decreases recurrence, using condoms may help.
- Hormonal birth control: People who use hormonal birth control have a lower risk of recurrent BV. Again, no one has studied whether starting these would help reduce recurrences, but we sometimes try this if hormones are a safe option for you.
- Avoid douching: Douching can disrupt your healthy vaginal bacterial community and may increase the likelihood of BV coming back.
- Longer-term antibiotics: If youve had three or more documented episodes of BV a year, using vaginal metronidazole twice a week for four months can decrease the chances of your BV returning.
The Problems With Vitamin C For Uti
Youll generally find that doctors cant promote vitamin C as a UTI remedy because of the limited evidence of the studies.
Whilst vitamin C is a natural chemical, it is still a chemical, like everything else, and its use may have unknown side effects.
Because we dont know exactly how taking vitamin C for UTI works, we also dont know if it is truly helping, or even how safe it is in the long term.
It is possible that vitamin C only attacks particular species of bacteria, and therefore may only help in some cases. In reality, we know very little about its effect on the many other microorganisms found in the urinary tract.
This is why its so important to find out whats causing your UTI.
Because of these uncertainties, we dont know what the best dose of vitamin C is, nor how often it should be taken, let alone whether it works.
And when it comes to a chronic bladder infection, treatment with vitamin C may not be wise. Any potential benefit from the temporary relief of symptoms could be offset by other issues that arise.
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Use Probiotics Instead Of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are inevitable in many cases. These medications clear the infection, but while taking out the bad bacteria, they take out the good ones too. A probiotic helps to restore the balance of good bacteria in the body. These herbal treatments have become very popular these days because they work.
They are used to treat many different types of infections from the urinary tract to the sinus cavities. Though they are a bit costly, do some research and find out the best type for your ailment. Certain strands help to treat specific problems better than others.
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Vitamin C May Decrease Common Cold Incidence In Special Conditions
Vitamin C halved the incidence of colds in five RCTs during which the participants were under heavy short-term physical activity . Three of the studies used marathon runners in South Africa as subjects, whereas one study used Canadian military personnel on winter exercise, and the fifth study was on schoolchildren in a skiing camp in the Swiss Alps, i.e., the Ritzel trial . Thus, three studies were conducted under conditions of a hot environment and profound physical stress and the other two were carried out under cold environments and physical stress .
Another group in which vitamin C has prevented colds is British men . Four trials found that vitamin C decreased the incidence of colds by 30%, and in another set of four trials, the proportion of men who had recurrent common cold infections during the study decreased by a mean of 46%. All these studies were carried out in the 1970s or earlier, and according to surveys, the intake of vitamin C in the United Kingdom was low when the studies were carried out, 0.03 to 0.06 g/day, and three of the U.K. trials specifically estimated that the dietary vitamin C intake was between 0.015 to 0.05 g/day . In particular, Baird administered only 0.08 g/day of vitamin C yet they observed 37% lower incidence of colds in the vitamin C group, indicating that it was the marginal deficiency and not a high dose that explained the benefit .
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Sinusitis: Causes & Treatment
If your sinuses are infected by a virus or bacteria, the result is inflammation which is also called sinusitis. But what are the sinuses and what purpose do they have? The sinuses are small cavities found in the skull, specifically inside the cheekbones and forehead. There are four cavities altogether:
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The maxillary sinuses are the largest, measuring around an inch in width .
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The frontal sinuses are in the lower part of the centre of the forehead .
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The ethmoid sinuses are situated between the eyes at the bridge of the nose.
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The sphenoid sinuses are in bones behind the nasal cavity.
Clean Your Nasal Passages
Rinsing your nose with saline nasal drops or a nasal rinse can help unblock your nasal passages by removing mucous. There are several nasal rinse/wash products you can buy, or you could make your own. The following home remedy is recommended by the NHS :
Mix up a saline solution by mixing a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a pint of boiling water that has been left to cool.
Now rinse your nose one nostril at a time. Stand over a sink and pour some of the saline solution into your cupped hand, sniffing the water into each nostril separately.
Repeat until your nose feels more comfortable. If you need to rinse your nose again, you can use the same solution if it has been made during the same day .
Excess sinus accumulation in the sinus passages is known sinusitis. It leads to irritation, swollenness and inflammation of the sinus passages. This condition can be caused due to allergies, fungal, viral or bacterial infections, deviated septum or nasal polyps.The signs and symptoms of sinusitis are bad breath, tooth pain, fever, nasal congestion, intense headache, facial pain, yellowish green throat drainage and decreased sense of smell and taste. The treatments of sinusitisinclude nasal washes, corticosteroids, antibiotics and decongestants.In case of severe situations, you may even need a surgery. Apart from the prescribed treatments, you can also take essential vitamins to get rid of your breathing problems related to sinus inflammation.
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Vitamin C As An Essential Nutrient For Chronic Infection Support
Whether vitamin C can directly help treat or prevent UTI has little impact on its role as a crucial vitamin for bodily functions.
There is an established link between vitamin C and immune system function. While a healthy vitamin C intake is essential for fighting infection, we also know that for many with inflammation in the bladder, certain types of vitamin C supplements can trigger bladder symptoms.
In speaking with recurrent UTI specialists, the primary recommendation around supplemental vitamin C is that it should be taken in a buffered form, to minimize possible irritation.
Its important to ensure any vitamin C is in a buffered form. One product I like for this purpose is Ultimate Protector. In addition to its potent antioxidant properties, Ultimate Protector activates Nrf2. Several studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 contributes to the anti-inflammatory process as well as increased cysteine production . This is especially important for those who genetically tend to make more ammonia and less cysteine. Ruth Kriz, APRN, Chronic UTI and Interstitial Cystitis Expert
Natural Home Remedies Can Be The First Line Of Defense At The Onset Of A Sinus Infection
These natural solutions are real, effective, and often safe for most sinus sufferers. They provide significant sinus infection relief as well as serve an important role in the prevention of chronic sinusitis.
Even when your sinus infections respond to natural home remedies, you may be experiencing issues that need to be addressed by a medical professional. Sinus infections can sometimes be an indicator of more complicated medical issues and chronic or long-lasting infections often have a major impact on your overall health. If you find yourself suffering three or more sinus infections in a single year or have a sinus infection that lasts longer than three months , then you should visit an Ear, Nose, andThroat physician for a diagnostic appointment.
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Chronic Sinusitis And Sinus Headaches
Sinusitis happens when the sinuses or cavities around the nasal passages become swollen. The sinuses can become inflamed if you have an infection or because of an allergic reaction. The symptoms usually go away within a couple of weeks, but some people experience longer or recurring sinus infections. If you have chronic sinusitis, you could be dealing with symptoms such as nasal discharge, congestion, and pain or sinus headaches for many months.
Vitamin C And The Antibody Interferon
Your body can produce some of its own antibodies, but may just need a little help sometimes. Vitamin C can help your body produce the antibody interferon to assist you in fighting against sinusitis. Interferon keeps pathogens from invading your cells. This gives a boost to your immune system, which will help you fight off sinusitis.
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Sinus Infections: Causes Symptoms & Natural Support Strategies
Millions of Americans suffer from a sinus infection at least once a year. They occur when the tissue that lines the sinuses becomes swollen and inflamed. The swelling and inflammation block the sinuses, trapping mucus and air. The increase of trapped mucus can cause infection.
Sinus infections can be painful and difficult to cure. Most people rely on antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants to treat their sinus infections. If sinus infections are caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective and can only harm the person. In this article, I will go over a number of helpful natural strategies to support your immune system and help your body heal.
History And Anecdotal Evidence
Elderberries have been found in Egyptian tombs and ancient medical texts, documenting the use of elderberry to treat sinus infections over several centuries, including in:
- Ancient Greece The first recorded mention of elderberry as a treatment for sinusitis was in the writings of the Greek physician Dioscorides, who described it as an anti-inflammatory and decongestant. Hippocrates referred to elderberry as a medicine chest due to its ability to treat a wide range of ailments.1
- 18th century England Elderberry was used to treat a variety of ailments, including sinus infections. British researcher John Evelyn stated, If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark, and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could ail for which he might not fetch a remedy , either for sickness or wounds.2
- 19th century Europe It was recommended that patients with a fever drink tea made from elderberries before bed to manage respiratory symptoms.
The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine and can be found across countries and continentsincluding North America, with increasing prominence.
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What To Expect After Trying These Home Remedies
Most home remedies bring relief within a few days. Some may take up to a week.
If your infection goes away with treatment but then returns, contact a doctor for advice. You may need a prescription-strength treatment.
Follow these tips to help prevent future yeast infections.
- Limit the amount of sugar and processed foods you consume. Yeast thrives on sugar.
- Wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear.
- Dont spend extended periods of time in wet clothes or bathing suits. Yeast grows in warm, moist environments.
- Only use antibiotics when necessary.
- Dont use douches unless advised by a doctor, and avoid vaginal deodorant sprays and scented vaginal lotions. They may alter the balance of good bacteria and yeast in your vagina.
Youre Not Alone If You Feel As If Youre Getting Sick After Flying: Around 20 Percent Of People On Commercial Flights Develop Symptoms Of The Common Cold Within One Week Of Travel
Researchers are finally starting to gather and publish more data about the health risks associated with airplane travel.
With literally billions of people traveling by air every year now, researchers are finally starting to gather and publish more data about the health risks associated with airplane travel. In terms of the common cold, it is now well-accepted that acute respiratory infections are frequently experienced after air travel. So its no surprise when we find ourselves getting sick after flying.
Studies have found a high prevalence and wide array of respiratory viruses in people who have recently traveled. Up to 20 percent of passengers may develop respiratory infections within one week after air travel and that flight attendants have significantly more respiratory infections than those who do not frequently fly.
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Can A Yeast Infection Go Away On Its Own
Mild versions of yeast infections have the chance of going away on their own, explains Dr. Sonpal. However, it is not recommended to ignore a yeast infection because it is most likely to return if not medically treated.
While some individuals may choose to try home remedies for yeast infection or over-the-counter treatments, there are certain people who should visit the doctor when they have symptoms of a yeast infection. These patients include:
- Those who have recurring yeast infections
- Pregnant women
- Those who were possibly exposed to a sexually transmitted disease
- Women who are unsure if their symptoms are from a yeast infection
- Individuals who do not have success with home remedies or over-the-counter medicines
- Patients with uncontrolled diabetes or a weakened immune system due to certain medications or conditions such as HIV
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Vitamins For Yeast Infections
Unfortunately, Vitamin B is not the only substance that can help in the treatment of yeast infections.
Itâs essential that you take your recommended doses of this essential nutrient to ensure that you get the health benefits that it provides.
If youâre wondering whether you can get Vitamin B on a regular basis, it would be smart to consult your doctor.
They will be able to give you advice on the best way to supplement your diet with Vitamin B.
You can take a small amount of this vitamin through the foods that you eat.
Foods that contain high levels of Vitamin B include nuts, dairy products, fruit, and vegetables.
To take advantage of the health benefits of Vitamin B, you might want to add these foods to your diet regularly.
Do the same for the whole group of foods that you eat.
You should supplement your diet with Vitamin B, but you should also make sure that you are getting enough Vitamin D through sunlight.
Vitamin B that you eat is not the only source of Vitamin D.
You can get this vitamin by tanning in the sun, or from eating foods that contain Vitamin D.
Vitamin B helps fight Candida albicans, which is responsible for Candidiasis.
Also, when youâre taking care of your Candida albicans, youâll be less likely to suffer from yeast infections.
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How To Treat Sinusitis With Vitamins
Excess sinus accumulation in the sinus passages is known sinusitis. It leads to irritation, swollenness and inflammation of the sinus passages. This condition can be caused due to allergies, fungal, viral or bacterial infections, deviated septum or nasal polyps.The signs and symptoms of sinusitis are bad breath, tooth pain, fever, nasal congestion, intense headache, facial pain, yellowish green throat drainage and decreased sense of smell and taste. The treatments of sinusitisinclude nasal washes, corticosteroids, antibiotics and decongestants.In case of severe situations, you may even need a surgery. Apart from the prescribed treatments, you can also take essential vitamins to get rid of your breathing problems related to sinus inflammation.