Please note that I am not a medical doctor nor medically trained in any way. The information on this page is not to be used in place of a doctor but rather in conjunction with your doctor. Print off this page and have a consultation with your health care professional. Do not take ANY supplements with out the approval of your doctor.
Sinus infections can pose a serious problem for immune compromised patients. This page is here to give you tools to help prevent this common problem.
Kayla was in the hospital in March of 2009 for a fever that was recurring and high. All tests came back negative and although she was on antibiotics the fevers would not break. Finally a sinus infection was found and our oncologist told us that these infections are very difficult to treat, especially if the infection is deep inside the sinus cavity.
When I asked for options he said that they could do surgery where a suction device is placed inside the sinus cavity and sucks out the mucous that is breeding bacteria. This sounded fine until I spoke to a patient who had this done five times. She said that it was incredibly painful, her eyes were swollen almost shut and despite this procedure the sinus infections kept coming back. I decided to look for other answers.
Mucous
Mucous is an enemy to your sinuses because if it does not drain it sits in the sinus cavities where bacteria can grow and putrefy. Therefore anything that causes the body to produce mucous should be removed from the diet. Several patients reduced their dairy intake to one dairy item per day and this corrected their sinus problems. We decided to take Kayla completely off of all DAIRY products because she ate very little dairy and still had sinus infections.
The China Study book by T. Colin Campbell, recommends no dairy consumption at all. The author states that he could turn cancer on and off through diet alone. Apparently dairy has a protein called casiene, which he found to have a direct link to cancer.
Being Pro Active
There is a product called a Neti Pot that the doctors recommended we use. We were told that if every person, cleaned their sinuses, every day, this would put the EMT’s (emergency medical technicians) out of business! Here is a picture of the Neti Pot sold through WalGreens drug stores. The cost is $11.99
Since we implemented the daily use of the Sinus Wash a year has pasts with no more sinus problems.
Sinus Tips
Water is essential to drink on a daily basis. Juices, coffee, teas, soda and milk, do not hydrate the cells. All of your cells float in water. Your sinuses need to remain moist because their function is to moisten the air before it enters your body.
Avoid contact with people who have a cold, it is the sprayed droplets, in sneezes that contain contagious germs.
Wash your hands frequently with water and soap. We keep nail -brushes by every sink in our house so that the nails can be scrubbed as well.
Use a small pot filled with water and a tablespoon of salt to a low boil. Use a towel over your head while you bend over to breathe in the steam. This may help to trigger sneezing and drainage of your sinuses.
There are also personal steam inhalers sold at your local drug store.
We have hand massagers that are excellent for draining sinuses. You put the massager on the lowest setting and massage around your nose. When you find a tickle spot, stay there and keep the pressure on. This should cause sneezing to start. Sneezing repeatedly alleviates sinus pressure and pain. We have used this method successfully for years. Your head can also get sore spots and headaches from sinus pressure and the hand massager can be used to work these out as well.
Garlic supplements. If Kayla starts to exhibit signs of any sinus problems, she takes one garlic tablet that I found at CVS. Here are some facts about garlic. Allicin is an organic compound obtained from garlic. It is also obtainable from onions, and other species in the family Alliaceae.[1] This compound exhibits antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.[2] Allicin is garlic’s defense mechanism against attacks by pests. [3]
Allergies
Dust mites are the most common cause of allergy from house dust. They belong to the family of eight-legged creatures called arachnids that also includes spiders, chiggers and ticks. Dust mites are hardy creatures that live and multiply easily in warm, humid places. They are not usually found in dry climates. High levels of exposure to dust mite are an important factor in the development of asthma in children. People who are allergic to dust mites react to proteins within the bodies and feces of the mites. These particles are found mostly in pillows, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture. They float into the air when anyone vacuums, walks on a carpet or disturbs bedding, but settle out of the air soon after the disturbance is over. Dust mite-allergic people who inhale these particles frequently experience allergy symptoms. Mites eat particles of skin and dander, so they thrive in places where there are people and animals. [8] Here are the recommended steps to prevent Dust Mite infestations: Keep your home clean. Vacuum all carpets once a week. Wash pillowcases and sheets in hot water ever week. Use allergen pillowcases that cover and zip around pillows that are slept on. Keep humidity in the home below 50%. Use a high efficiency air filter for your air conditioning system. The cheaper brands cannot trap dust mites and their by products.
Cockroach Allergy
Many houses have dust that contains parts of cockroaches. This is most common in older, multifamily housing and in the southern United States where complete extermination of cockroaches is very difficult. Individuals allergic to cockroach protein, particularly those with asthma, tend to have increased symptoms if they live in such houses. You do not have to actually see cockroaches to have a problem. The allergen is derived from saliva, fecal material, secretions, skin casts, and body parts. It is usually at the highest levels in kitchens, but may be found throughout the home, including the bedroom and bed. The levels in bedrooms may be most associated with allergic disease. They are often found in schools and commercial buildings. Cockroaches require food and moisture to survive, so eliminating sources of each can help reduce exposure. [4]
Animal Allergies
Cats and dogs are the most common cause of animal allergy, but any warm-blooded animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, etc) can trigger an allergy symptom. It’s not just the hair or skin particles that contain the allergens, but also the urine and saliva. Mice can trigger allergies if present in sufficient numbers. Allergens from domestic animals, especially cats, may be carried on the clothing of pet owners outside the home into the work place and schools. In fact, cat allergen, is one of the most common allergens found in the dust in schools. There are no “non-allergenic” cats or dogs. [4]
Effective Measures Against Allergies
Remove wall-to-wall carpets from the bedroom if possible. Use a central vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you are allergic, wear a N95 filter mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming. Remember, it takes over two hours for the dust to settle back down, so if possible clean when the allergic patient is away and don’t clean the bedroom at night.
Keep pets out of the bedroom at ALL times. Consider using a HEPA Air Cleaner in the bedroom. It is best to remove the animal from the home. (Animal allergy.)
Encase mattresses and pillows with “mite-proof” covers. Wash all bed linens weekly using hot water. (Dust mite allergy.)
Do not leave out uncovered food at night. Dispose of food wastes (including fast food wraps) in a tightly sealed garbage can. Harris Famous Roach Tablets have proven to be very effective in our home. It is available through your local hardware store. Schedule regular professional pest control utilizing non-toxic pest management methods. (Cockroach, mouse and mold allergy.)
Install a high efficiency media filter with a MERV rating of 11 or 12 in the furnace and air-conditioning unit. Leave the fan on to create a “whole house” air filter that removes particulates. Change the filter at least every three months (with the change of the seasons) to keep the air cleaner year round. Have your heating and air-conditioning units inspected and serviced every six months. (Animal, mold and dust mite allergy.) [4]
In an older home or apartment caulk all cracks to your dwelling. This keeps the bugs from coming in.
Around the outside of your home, place table salt, on the ground next to your outer walls, where the dirt brushes up against your house. A row of salt creates a barrier that the bugs do not like. This tip is from Mother Earth News and I found it to help at my house.
Wash heavy curtains regularly or replace with sheers. Curtains attract and hold dust.
Wash stuffed animal’s as they are also dust magnets.
The Holmes Harmony Air Purifier Tower is a product that we purchased through Sears. The price was reasonable and it does a good job. Here is a review done by About.com on this product. http://housewares.about.com/od/aircleanerspurifiers/gr/hharmHAP422.htm
After Kayla was sick for three months in a row, each time requiring a hospital stay of at least two weeks. We implemented many of the suggestions on this page and since these implementations, Kayla has not had any illnesses at all.
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References
- Eric Block (1985). “The chemistry of garlic and onions”. Scientific American 252 (March): 114–119.
- Chester J. Cavallito, John Hays Bailey “Allicin, the Antibacterial Principle of Allium sativum. I. Isolation, Physical Properties and Antibacterial Action” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1944, volume 66, pp 1950 – 1951. doi:10.1021/ja01239a048
- http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/allicin.php
- http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/dust.htm American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Public Education Titled HOUSE DUST ALLERGY