![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by karaS on October 10, 2004, at 17:30:37
Hi Ray,
I wanted to ask your advice on supplements to take and other holistic treatment for sinus problems caused by allergies. I don't know if it's tree or ragweed allergies but the last few days I've been sneezing a lot, my eyes are watering, I have that awful achey, pressured feeling in my head and my nasal membranes are inflamed. My nose looks twice its size (not a pretty picture)!
What would you suggest I do? I have some Zyrtec here but I'd prefer to try to treat it without a drug. I have some quercitin/bromelain capsules here but I'm not sure if they're any good once the problem has already started. I was thinking of using a salt and water nasal spray. I also have some eucalyptus oil. What will fight the inflammation? I'm not averse to taking ibuprofen but I'm wondering if there aren't other things that might work better. (If there are, I'm sure that you will know what they are since I know you've been researching the topic of inflammation a lot lately.)
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kara
Posted by raybakes on October 11, 2004, at 11:28:57
In reply to Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes, posted by karaS on October 10, 2004, at 17:30:37
> I wanted to ask your advice on supplements to take and other holistic treatment for sinus problems caused by allergies. I don't know if it's tree or ragweed allergies but the last few days I've been sneezing a lot, my eyes are watering, I have that awful achey, pressured feeling in my head and my nasal membranes are inflamed. My nose looks twice its size (not a pretty picture)!
I can only say what works for me, but when my sinuses are blocked, I'm usually not digesting well, so take betaine HCl or enzymes of some kind. Have found serrapeptase from silk worms helpful recently..
"One key to sinus health is a modern discovery: a proteolytic enzyme (an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of protein) called serrapeptase (also known as “serratiopeptidase”), which can cut through phlegm and facilitate its elimination from the sinus regions. A double-blind study of 193 persons with severe sinus challenges concluded that serrapeptase acted rapidly to reduce local reactions (such as runny nose and nasal obstruction) and to ease the affected area (Mazzone 1990). A second study examined the effects of this enzyme on nasal mucus in adult patients with compromised sinus health. In that study, serrapeptase was found to be helpful in promoting sinus health in 36% of participants. It facilitated the flow of mucus through the nasal passage in 28% of participants and decreased difficulty in nose blowing in 27% of them (Majima 1988)."
> I have some quercitin/bromelain capsules here but I'm not sure if they're any good once the problem has already started. I was thinking of using a salt and water nasal spray. I also have some eucalyptus oil. What will fight the inflammation?Quercetin and bromelain might work too, antifungals sometimes help me, and vitamin c can sometimes help, and Nac is used in cystic fibrosis to break up mucous...
Hope you get it sorted!
Ray
Posted by Simus on October 12, 2004, at 8:54:29
In reply to Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes, posted by karaS on October 10, 2004, at 17:30:37
Gee Kara, if it isn't one thing, it's another, huh? I have found that allergies increase as adrenal fatigue increases, and if I treat the adrenal fatigue, the allergies diminish. I had been doing a lot of sneezing lately too (ragweed?), and extra C (with bioflavinoids and quercetin) does help me.
Hope whatever you try helps!
Simus
Posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 13:05:07
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes » karaS, posted by Simus on October 12, 2004, at 8:54:29
Do you happen to know what would be effective in dealing with constant post-nasal drip and blocked and popping ears? I have tried corticosteriod spray, Flonase, steaming . . . I have been trying to get rid of this problem for years, and have not had any relief. All I can say is that the constant ear popping is driving me nuts! And, it gets embarrassing when others hear the popping and comment on it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tamara
> Gee Kara, if it isn't one thing, it's another, huh? I have found that allergies increase as adrenal fatigue increases, and if I treat the adrenal fatigue, the allergies diminish. I had been doing a lot of sneezing lately too (ragweed?), and extra C (with bioflavinoids and quercetin) does help me.
>
> Hope whatever you try helps!
>
> Simus
Posted by Simus on October 13, 2004, at 15:57:22
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes » Simus, posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 13:05:07
Wow. Sounds kinda like my history up until about 5 years ago (well, except for the part about people hearing my ears pop). I am 43, and I had post-nasal drip from childhood until almost 40, as well as chronic bronchitis and sinus infections. I was on prescription antihistamines, two prescription nose sprays and an inhaler. I also got allergy shots every week. That was until I started taking magnesium. The first day, the tightness in my lungs went away. Within weeks I was completely off of all drugs and shots. This year was the first time I had seasonal allergies start to come back, but then I was very sick (antidepressant med change problems) prior and had been very slack on taking the magnesium.
Having said that though, I have to add now that you should always study up on any supplement before you take it. There are things you should know about even magnesium before you take it, like how much, what form, keeping it balanced with calcium and other minerals, etc. I take around 400mg of magnesium a day (I believe the one I am taking now is a chelate), in combination with 1000mg calcium.
I also took other supplements including a good multiple vitamin. Vitamin C / quercetin combo are also very effective for allergies. Again, study up on them. I use 1000-2000mg of C with 500mg quercetin a day. Bromelain is something else to consider.
One other thing I rely on is colloidal silver. I have my own generator. At the first sign of a sinus infection (or any infection), I take it. It hasn't helped me much with viruses, but it
has cut the number and length of secondary infections way back. But here again, you have to study up on colloidal silver. I make my own with pure, deionized water. I only take it when I have actual symptoms. And I make sure I take it with other minerals in supplements form.
So anyway, that is my story. I hope there is something in there that helps you. Let us know how you are doing...Simus
> Do you happen to know what would be effective in dealing with constant post-nasal drip and blocked and popping ears? I have tried corticosteriod spray, Flonase, steaming . . . I have been trying to get rid of this problem for years, and have not had any relief. All I can say is that the constant ear popping is driving me nuts! And, it gets embarrassing when others hear the popping and comment on it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Tamara
Posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 16:27:06
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes » jujube, posted by Simus on October 13, 2004, at 15:57:22
Thanks for the response and the info. I do take Vitamin C and Magnesium. I think I will probably not experience any significant relief until I quit my filthy smoking habit. So, that's next on my list of things to accomplish for the goodness of my health. I will, in the meantime, continue to look for natural remedies.
Tamara
Posted by JLx on October 13, 2004, at 23:58:03
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes » Simus, posted by jujube on October 13, 2004, at 13:05:07
> Do you happen to know what would be effective in dealing with constant post-nasal drip and blocked and popping ears? I have tried corticosteriod spray, Flonase, steaming . . . I have been trying to get rid of this problem for years, and have not had any relief. All I can say is that the constant ear popping is driving me nuts! And, it gets embarrassing when others hear the popping and comment on it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Have you tried a quercetin product? I've had some luck with Respir-All by NOW.
Nothing works as well as eliminating dairy products from my diet though. My sister says the same thing: no dairy, no ear fullness and popping, no post nasal drip.
JL
Posted by jujube on October 14, 2004, at 7:06:28
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - » jujube, posted by JLx on October 13, 2004, at 23:58:03
> > Do you happen to know what would be effective in dealing with constant post-nasal drip and blocked and popping ears? I have tried corticosteriod spray, Flonase, steaming . . . I have been trying to get rid of this problem for years, and have not had any relief. All I can say is that the constant ear popping is driving me nuts! And, it gets embarrassing when others hear the popping and comment on it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Have you tried a quercetin product? I've had some luck with Respir-All by NOW.
>
> Nothing works as well as eliminating dairy products from my diet though. My sister says the same thing: no dairy, no ear fullness and popping, no post nasal drip.
>
> JL
>
> Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into the quercetin product. I am not a big dairy user - just yogurt. I should try a food elimination diet to see if maybe my sinus problems are a result of certain food allergies. Then again, I'll probably notice a big difference when I give up the smokes (something I should have done ages ago).Tamara
Posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 2:03:24
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems - Raybakes » karaS, posted by Simus on October 12, 2004, at 8:54:29
> Gee Kara, if it isn't one thing, it's another, huh? I have found that allergies increase as adrenal fatigue increases, and if I treat the adrenal fatigue, the allergies diminish. I had been doing a lot of sneezing lately too (ragweed?), and extra C (with bioflavinoids and quercetin) does help me.
>
> Hope whatever you try helps!Yeah, it's always something!!! I thinks the culprit this time is either ragweed or tree pollen. Those have both been rather high here lately. How much quercetin do you take when you have allergy symptoms?
K
Posted by Simus on October 16, 2004, at 7:23:08
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems » Simus, posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 2:03:24
> > Gee Kara, if it isn't one thing, it's another, huh? I have found that allergies increase as adrenal fatigue increases, and if I treat the adrenal fatigue, the allergies diminish. I had been doing a lot of sneezing lately too (ragweed?), and extra C (with bioflavinoids and quercetin) does help me.
> >
> > Hope whatever you try helps!
>
> Yeah, it's always something!!! I thinks the culprit this time is either ragweed or tree pollen. Those have both been rather high here lately. How much quercetin do you take when you have allergy symptoms?
>
> KI take 500mg of quercetin a day. I read somewhere that the ratio of C to quercetin should be 2:1, but I don't know if there is a max limit on quercetin. So even when I take extra C, I still stick to 500mg quercetin a day. I have been pretty sloppy on taking the supplements lately though, and I can really tell the difference. Anyway, good luck.
Simus
Posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 14:08:56
In reply to Re: Sinus and Allergy Problems » karaS, posted by Simus on October 16, 2004, at 7:23:08
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.