Health Care & Medical

As a breath health specialist, I find myself treating patients with chronic sinusitis and frequent sinus infections. Not only are sinus infections miserable, but they also contribute to the bacteria-friendly environment that results in severe halitosis. Symptoms of sinus infections include headache, low grade fever, ear fullness, facial pressure, fatigue, bad breath, a foul taste in the mouth, and an unsettling feeling that your head is “heavy.” Many of my patients seeking to cure chronic halitosis also experience intermittent sinus infections.

The sinuses are cavities and channels in the skull that allow air to flow and mucous to drain into the nose. When mucous membranes become irritated (often by a cold, allergies, pollutants or exposure to unusually dry or chilly air), they become irritated and inflamed. When your membranes are irritated, the tiny hairs that move the mucous out of the glands slow down, leaving mucous to sit still in the head. Irritation also puts mucous glands into overdrive as they fight to purge bacteria. The glands thus secrete more mucus than the norm and the sinus cavities become clogged with mucous. The result is a bacteria friendly environment that is prone to infection.

So the key to preventing and treating sinus infections is reducing irritation and inflammation, and clearing out trapped mucous. The following tips will help you keep your nasal passages healthy and stave off the unpleasant symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

• Gently blow your nose on a regular basis and always wash your hands after blowing.
• Irrigate the nasal passages regularly using a high quality nasal irrigation system and medium warm salt water or saline solution intended for nasal irrigation.
• When congested, take an antihistamine or decongestant to reduce inflammation, thus allowing for the nasal passages to drain.
• Apply warm, moist heat to the area. The heat will help break up mucous for more efficient draining and will reduce sinus pressure. Simply apply a warm wash cloth to your face for a few minutes while in the shower. If discomfort persists a humidifier and warm facial compress can be helpful – just be sure to test the temperature before applying the compress to the face. My clients have also found the scent of eucalyptus particularly soothing.
• Dilute mucous by drinking lots of water, hot tea or hot water with lemon. Proper hydration is critical to sinus health, but avoid dairy liquids and products as they can trigger congestion.
• If you are prescribed a series of antibiotics by your physician, be sure to take the entire series. Do NOT stop as soon as you start feeling better as that can lead to further infection with bacteria that is more resistant to treatment.
• If your sinus issues persist, visit an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out more serious conditions.

Managing asthma is not something your doctor can do for you all by himself. Asthma self help is an important part of treating and managing your condition so that it doesn’t take over your entire life. Your doctor may prescribe both daily medication and medication to take in case of an acute asthma episode, but the task of minimizing risk of asthma attack and taking care of yourself on a daily basis is largely up to you and your family. Learning some key asthma self help tricks can help you keep your asthma under control so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily life.

Because asthma can be caused, triggered or worsened by so many things, there are many things that you can do to lessen the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Your doctor will offer important suggestions in addition to medication to help you manage your asthma. Think of those suggestions as a personalized asthma self help plan. A major part of asthma self help involves avoiding asthma triggers. Some ways that you can help yourself if you or someone in your family has asthma include:

1. The first and most important step in asthma self help is to follow your doctor’s orders. Don’t stop taking daily medication just because you feel better. If he’s prescribed daily peak flow measurements, be sure to follow instructions carefully and measure daily to monitor your condition.

2. If you smoke, quit. Whether the asthma sufferer is you or a child in your family, cigarette smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers known.

3. Keep the house dust-free – or as close to dust-free as possible. Dust is another common asthma trigger. Use a cylinder vacuum instead of an upright – preferably one that encloses the vacuum cleaner bag inside a solid canister to minimize pumping dust back into the air.

4. If you can, remove carpets and heavy draperies. They’re dust-catchers that easily breed dust mites. If you can’t remove them, vacuum them frequently using a canister vacuum cleaner.

5. Avoid using down feather pillows and comforters, and use a plastic cover on your mattress. Mattresses and pillows can harbor dust mites. The same goes for stuffed animals and other ‘soft’ decorations.

6. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather. Cold air is another common asthma trigger.

7. If your asthma is triggered by allergens, monitor the outside air quality daily. Avoid open fields and woodsy areas during peak pollen seasons, and take extra care when air quality is in danger ranges.

8. Mold is another common allergen that triggers asthma. Keeping mold down is another important part of asthma self help care. Dry wet laundry immediately, and wash and disinfect bathrooms and showers regularly. Remove houseplants, as mold grows in their soil.

9. Pet dander can also trigger asthma symptoms. If you can’t part with a pet because of emotional ties, at least keep it out of the bedroom to minimize your exposure to dander.

10. Be aware of any food or ingested allergies, and avoid foods, medications and drinks that cause allergic reactions.