sinusitis

[Guest guest]

I've mentioned this before, but think it bears repeating. There is good evidence that the majority of sinusitis has a fungal component. That needs to be addressed or the antibiotics will not be effective. Here is the introduction to an article explaining the fungal problem. For the whole article, go to www.sinuses.com/fungal/htm.

Fungal Sinusitis

W. S. Tichenor, M. D.New York, New York

An article published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings in September, 1999 by the Mayo Clinic suggests that fungal sinusitis may be much more common than previously thought. The disease is now know as EFRS (eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis) or EMRS (eosinophilic mucinous rhinosinusitis). Fungal growth was found in washings from the sinuses in 96% of patients with chronic sinusitis. Normal controls had almost as much growth, the difference being that those patients with chronic sinusitis had eosinophiles ( a type of white blood cell involved in allergic and other reactions) which had become activated. As a result of the activation, the eosinophiles released a product called MBP (Major Basic Protein) into the mucus which attacks and kills the fungus but is very irritating to the lining of the sinuses. We believe that MBP injures the lining of the sinuses and allows the bacteria to proliferate. The injury to the lining of the sinuses by the fungus and mucus led to the belief that treatment of chronic sinusitis should be directed at the fungus rather than the bacteria. Obviously the optimal treatment would address the reason the eosinophiles attack the fungus, however, at the present time, we do not know the reason. There has been much speculation about why people develop the sensitivity to fungi. Some people believe that it is as a result of extensive use of antibiotics causing overgrowth of fungi. Others believe that it is the result of extensive exposure to mold and fungi in the environment, both due to water leaks from roofs and plumbing as well as more efficient homes with less air exchange. Needless to say it is important to fix leaks and repair damage immediately so that this exposure doesn't occur. None of these fully explain the problem, however. (End of article intro.)

There are many other articles & studies on the 'Net. You might want to print one of them out & take it to your doc, in case he/she is unaware or skeptical of the connection. Some years ago a friend of mine mentioned that she had taken several courses of antibiotics for her sinus infection without much improvement. I told her about the fungal issue & suggested she see an ENT (she had only been to her PCP). She did see an ENT & he gave her something, probably that oral antifungal (can't think of the name right now!), then another course of antibiotics & it cleared right up. She was very healthy other than that. For folks like us, it might be an ongoing issue, but dealing with the fungus can improve the situation & possibly lessen the need for antibiotics.

To find more articles, just type in fungal sinusitis in your search engine.

Ramblin' Rose

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