Beating Sinus Infection

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat sinus infections, but a new study has found that they may work no better than a placebo. And as we all know, taking antibiotics unnecessarily is not only bad for your body, but resistances to medications can develop.

In the study, researchers followed around 200 patients with sinusitis. Of the 100 who received an antibiotic, 29 percent had symptoms that lasted 10 days or more. Another 107 received a placebo, and 34 percent had similarly lasting symptoms. This difference is considered statistically insignificant. The effectiveness of a nasal steroid spray for sinus infections was also tested in the study, and found to work the same as the placebo (except among a group of patients with milder symptoms, when it was slightly beneficial). The researchers suggested that the antibiotic did not help the sinus infections because it couldn’t penetrate the pus-filled sinus cavities.

The unnecessary prescription of antibiotics has led to enormous problems with drug resistance. Antibiotics were recently found to be ineffective against ear infections and bronchitis as well. The researchers say the results should encourage more patients to forgo antibiotics for sinus infections.

Sinus infections occur when the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses become irritated by a cold, an allergy, pollutants or exposure to dry or cold air. This leads your membranes to become inflamed while stimulating your mucous glands to secrete more mucus than usual. As mucus accumulates in your sinuses, it can easily become infected. Although becoming cold does not lead directly to illness, if there is a causative organism present – perhaps dormant in the sinuses – the cold air will weaken your immune function in the area, giving the organism a good chance at winning the battle against your system. So it’s important to stay warm at this time of year.

Steps that practitioners at The Centre For Integrated Health recommend you can take to generally strengthen your immune system include:

• Eliminating consumption of sugars
• Eating: good quality krill or fish oil, coconut oil, good quality unrefined carbohydrates, and garlic
• Sleep

• Exercise

What can you do to help your system clear the blockage and fight the infection? The holistic practitioners at The Centre For Integrated Health suggest the following:

• Consumption of hot liquids can help speed up the movement of your cilia (as can an hot bath)
• A hot compress to the face for five minutes a few times a day will increase circulation to the sinuses
• Hot foods such as horseradish or wasabi mustard can help
• Dust your bedroom and sleep with your head elevated
• For the brave, sinus irrigation has been helping people for thousands of years

• Equally, avoiding viruses is effective treatment!

The latest screening technology now used at The Centre helps identify areas of deficiency within your system so that practitioners can work with you in an informed fashion to make the changes that really matter to your health. To discuss how you and your family may be able to experience better health year-round, don’t hesitate to call The Centre For Integrated Health on 01730 233 414.