Guest guest Posted October 2, 2005 Report Share Posted October 2, 2005 Here is what I do for sinus problems. I make home made saline solution and use a nettie pot and irrigate them. I know it sounds gross...but it works wonders. I have not had a sinus infection in almost 7 yrs. My old family doc suggested it to help reduce the swelling and get the trapped mucous out. I was amazed when I saw all the nasty stuff trapped up in my sinus. Here is a site and some instructions. This is something that everyone can try and will not harm you. But still consult your doc before trying if in doubt. How to Do a Sinus Irrigation How to Do a Sinus Irrigation From Wong, N.D.,Your Guide to Alternative Medicine.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Learn this home remedy to help relieve sinus congestionSinus irrigation, also known as a sinus wash or lavage, is a simple procedure that can help to increase drainage of the sinuses. For people with seasonal allergies, sinus irrigation can help to remove pollens from the nose. Sinus irrigation has been recommended by physicians for decades, and its use dates further back in traditional Eastern practices. There is some debate over the type of fluid that should be used for the irrigation: Isotonic saline solution - has a similar salt concentration as body fluids. Hypertonic saline solution - because of the higher salt concentration, a hypertonic solution is thought to be better at reducing swelling of the mucous membranes. Although some research shows that hypertonic solutions are more effective than isotonic solutions, other studies show that hypertonic solutions decrease sinus drainage and movement of the cilia, which are cells that "sweep" the sinuses and push particles out. Locke-Ringer, Gleichenberger, and Ems salt solutions - from the few research studies conducted, these solutions do not appear to decrease ciliary movement, making them preferable to hypertonic saline solutions. Ingredients for an Isotonic Saline Solution 1 teaspoon of salt (kosher, canning, pickling, or sea salt is preferable to table salt. 16 oz. of room temperature water (0.47 liter or 1 US pint) 1 teaspoon of baking soda Instructions1. Mix the ingredients together in a clean container with a tight cover. This recipe can be halved and used for seven days. Do not store for longer than seven days.2. A clean rubber-topped dropper can be used. If unavailable, an ear syringe or any dropper from a pharmacy, neti pot (a "tea pot" for the nose), or a clean hand can be used. I used a clean dropper top from an empty herbal tincture bottle.3. Place some solution in the upper nostril. Plug that nostril and tilt the head slightly back and to the opposite side so the fluid runs out the other nostril. Place some more fluid in the upper nostril, then tilt the head slightly backward and to the same side to reach the sinuses. Repeat this procedure with the other nostril. Wash the dropper with hot water before dipping it back into the solution container to prevent contamination.4. Gargle with some solution, letting it wash the back of your throat.5. Blow your nose gently.This procedure can be done once a day for mild symptoms of chronic sinusitis or for prevention during allergy season.Precautions and RisksOver-irrigation can compromise the ability of the sinuses to fight bacteria.People with acute sinusitis should avoid this procedure, since it can facilitate the spread of bacteria and cause more serious infection. People with deficient immune systems should always consult a health practitioner before trying this procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2006 Report Share Posted March 11, 2006 The package insert for Xolair lists sinus infections as a possible side effect of the drug. I spoke with the nurse at Novartis and she confirmed that this was true in her experience too. Meryl hey! I have a question. is anyone experiencing alot of sinus infections? i have had about 3 in the past month and i woke up today experiencing chest tightness, stuffy nose, and coughing. I think i am starting with another sinus infection. I think i might be experiencing chest tightness and stuff b/c we have been getting rain like crazy, and my allergies don't like rain. lol. But does anyone know a cause for sinus infections right after another. Or do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 HEY, I have gone through two sinus surgeries since I have tended to have a lot of sinus infections, nasal drainage, chest congestion, coughing and shortness of breath at times for quite a while; especially since October of last year. The surgery is nothing, it is the follow up exams immediately after the surgery that I could have been a little more pleasurable. I started taking XOLAIR about a couple of months ago ( I take an injection in each arm every other Friday.) I asked my allergist when I should see an improvement. Her response was " a number of months. " Around Tuesday of last week, all of a sudden everything seemed to clear up. The congestion, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and gagging have seemed to disappear; I still have a little sinus drainage from time to time but nothing like I have had during the winter months. I can actually sleep at night. I have only used my inhaler once since then and even then it was more of a precaution rather than an actual event. I am actually able to breathe more easily and seem to be less worried about the shortness of breath I have been experiencing in the past. I am cautiously optimistic that I am on the upside of everything. I am confident this experience will last. I am not sure whether this is a result of XOLAIR or simply because the weather is getting better and the other medications are doing what they are expected to do or what. It seems to be a little early for XOLAIR to be doing its thing. Just to make sure things continue to go well, I am scheduled for a heartburn (gastric) study this week. Apparently, excessive heartburn and poor digestion can be a direct cause for asthma. Afterwards, I am to attend a followup sleep study to determine what settings are needed for the CPAP machine I am told I need to use. I hope everyone gets better....... ________________________________ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of msbehavior@... Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 10:38 AM Subject: Re: [ ] sinus infections The package insert for Xolair lists sinus infections as a possible side effect of the drug. I spoke with the nurse at Novartis and she confirmed that this was true in her experience too. Meryl hey! I have a question. is anyone experiencing alot of sinus infections? i have had about 3 in the past month and i woke up today experiencing chest tightness, stuffy nose, and coughing. I think i am starting with another sinus infection. I think i might be experiencing chest tightness and stuff b/c we have been getting rain like crazy, and my allergies don't like rain. lol. But does anyone know a cause for sinus infections right after another. Or do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Kathy: not sure if this helps you. I was diagnosed with GERD (Acid Reflux), and taking regular meds for it actually helped in dealing wtih my asthma. There is a high correlation b/w reflux and asthma. I didn't have to take the test that Steve did. What I went through was an endoscopy. They insert a tube with a camera in your eoseophagus to figure out what's wrong. I was give general anesthesia for this, and the whole process was pretty quick... - niti > HEY, > > I have gone through two sinus surgeries since I have tended to have a > lot of sinus infections, nasal drainage, chest congestion, coughing and > shortness of breath at times for quite a while; especially since October > of last year. The surgery is nothing, it is the follow up exams > immediately after the surgery that I could have been a little more > pleasurable. > > I started taking XOLAIR about a couple of months ago ( I take an > injection in each arm every other Friday.) I asked my allergist when I > should see an improvement. Her response was " a number of months. " > > Around Tuesday of last week, all of a sudden everything seemed to clear > up. The congestion, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and gagging > have seemed to disappear; I still have a little sinus drainage from > time to time but nothing like I have had during the winter months. I can > actually sleep at night. I have only used my inhaler once since then > and even then it was more of a precaution rather than an actual event. I > am actually able to breathe more easily and seem to be less worried > about the shortness of breath I have been experiencing in the past. > > I am cautiously optimistic that I am on the upside of everything. I am > confident this experience will last. I am not sure whether this is a > result of XOLAIR or simply because the weather is getting better and the > other medications are doing what they are expected to do or what. It > seems to be a little early for XOLAIR to be doing its thing. > > Just to make sure things continue to go well, I am scheduled for a > heartburn (gastric) study this week. Apparently, excessive heartburn > and poor digestion can be a direct cause for asthma. Afterwards, I am > to attend a followup sleep study to determine what settings are needed > for the CPAP machine I am told I need to use. > > I hope everyone gets better....... > > ________________________________ > > From: [mailto: ] > On Behalf Of msbehavior@... > Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 10:38 AM > > Subject: Re: [ ] sinus infections > > > The package insert for Xolair lists sinus infections as a possible side > effect of the drug. I spoke with the nurse at Novartis and she confirmed > that this > was true in her experience too. > > Meryl > hey! I have a question. is anyone experiencing alot of sinus > infections? i have had about 3 in the past month and i woke up today > experiencing chest tightness, stuffy nose, and coughing. I think i am > starting with another sinus infection. I think i might be experiencing > chest tightness and stuff b/c we have been getting rain like crazy, and > my allergies don't like rain. lol. But does anyone know a cause for > sinus infections right after another. Or do you have any suggestions? > > Thanks, > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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