Chronic Sinusitis Treatment - Options From Around The Web

As I have recently discovered, chronic sinusitis treatment options are many and varied. After much digging, I wanted to share some of the treatment tips that I had read about while browsing the web. I can not vouch for most of these, so do your own digging before you actually try any of them out!

Water.

Let's start with a nice simple one. Water! Drinking plenty of fresh water each day is always a positive thing to do. And if it can help your condition a little? All the better.

Pineapple?

I've read that there is an enzyme within pineapples that are anti-inflammatory, named "bromelain." As one of the symptoms of chronic sinusitis is swelling in and around the nasal passages, perhaps there would be benefit in eating pineapples and drinking pineapple juice? If this would indeed reduce the swelling, you'll soon know!

Avoid Alcohol.

I'm told that alcohol can induce further swelling in the nasal passages and sinuses. So if you find your condition is worse after a few drinks, you now know why. It might be a good idea to stick to soft drinks until you clear up the sinusitis.

Cleaning The Nasal Passages.

To help you breathe easier, you can always take steps to clean your nasal passages. This is something you could do once or twice a day, depending on the severity of your condition. You can use a saline solution for this, which you'll easily find at any pharmacy. Alternatively there are home-made solutions that a quick online search will confirm.

Another effective way to help clear your sinuses, and open up the channels (as it were) is by steaming. If you pour boiling water into a bowl and hold your face above it, the steam that rises can be very soothing. Pop a towel over your head so that you trap the steam around your face, and gently breathe in, allowing the steam to enter and work its magic in your nasal passage and sinuses. I recommend a couple of minutes, then have a break...and repeat a few more times. Be sure you don't get too close to the hot water! If you find it too hot, adjust your towel so that you have more of the air around you. Or don't use a towel at all until the water has dropped a few degrees.

Rubbing Your Feet?

Now this one sounds odd! The theory is that rubbing your feet will enhance your blood flow around your body. This is said to help decrease the swelling and build-up, so much so that you should find you can breathe more easily. Perhaps you should try this for yourself! Try rubbing your feet about twice daily and see what you think.

Apple Cider Vinegar.

I've read that inhaling apple cider vinegar can open up the sinuses. But I also read that over doing this may damage the mucus membrane. So do keep that in mind!

Educate Yourself Before Trying Any Chronic Sinusitis Treatment Remedies!

I think it is a great idea to keep an open mind and do your own research before trying any treatments you read on the net. That said, you'll find they are mostly innocent enough, and that the worse that could happen is that the treatment doesn't provide you the relief you hoped!

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Scoliosis - Treatment and Epigenetics

The recent scoliosis genetic testing break-through has opened up an entirely new debate on whether the actual genetic risk for the condition can be reduced by the reduction of environmental factors that contribute to the cause and progression of the curvature. This is possible due to the recent (and ever growing) understanding of epigenetics.

So what in the heck are "epigenetics".....I didn't know either until recently, but here is the concept in a nutshell.

1. The human body has trillions of cells, each of which as a nucleus (command center). In each nucleus, DNA is tightly coiled around proteins called "histones" that serve as a support structures for the genes

2. Gene contain the codes for cells to produce various proteins and Darwin tells us that it takes many generations to "rewrite" this basic genetic code.

3. Various chemicals called "epigenetic marks" sit atop genes and offer basic instructions to them (basically they serve as an on or off switch)

4. All cell types contain the exact same DNA. Epigenetic markers silence certain gene sequences and active others. If the marks don't work properly, cancer or cell death is possible.

5. (This is the really cool part) Stressors like a fatty diet can activate epigenetic markers, modifying histones, or adding methyl groups to DNA strands. These changes can turn genes on and off and/or may affect what gets passed down to your offspring.

6. If you over-stimulate gene for a certain condition (Scoliosis for example), you kids can inherit these over-activated sequences. That could mean a lifetime of battling unfavorable gene expression.

This means you don't have to be a victim of your genetics AND environmental factors can ultimately change both factors in this condition (genetic and environmental factors), but that isn't the biggest point to this post...

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE SCOLIOSIS GENETIC RISK OF YOUR CHILDREN THOUGH ELIMINATING/REDUCING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL SCOLIOSIS RISK FACTORS NOW!

Further proof that even mild/moderate AIS curvatures need to be treated with a program that reduces/eliminates the environmental factors that cause scoliosis.

In fact they even purposed an equation to explain the phenomenon: Genetics (G)+ Epigenetics (EpiG) + Environmental factors (E) = Phenotype (P) (the curve shape and size)

Basically the epigenetics theory is based on environmental factors being able to influence the "on/off" switch to pre-programmed genetic factors. So if her rehab is changing the environmental factors...well, it's possible. This is why it is critically important that we shift our focus towards treatment strategies that focus on the environmental factors that contribute to the development of scoliosis of the spine and not focus on treating Cobb angles.

There was a recent article on how patients were able to lower their genetic risk for developing prostate cancer by manipulation of environmental factors. The same could probably be true for AIS.

Dr Brian T Dovorany
Dr Clayton J Stitzel

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The Truth About Cyberknife Treatment For Acoustic Neuroma

As the world ages, new disease-conditions start to proliferate. Although a lot of experts are equipped with advance knowledge about the human body and the medical science, these latest conditions are getting harder to understand, and one of these is the disease called Acoustic neuroma.

In this article, you will be learning more about this condition and some interventions that are used to prevent and treat it. Particularly, you will know more about the cyberknife treatment for acoustic neuroma. At the end of this article, you are expected to understand the exact indication of this therapy and the possible risk factors or complications that it brings.

What is acoustic neuroma?

It is also medically termed as vestibular schwannoma, and it is a benign tumor that greatly affects the vestibulocochlear cranial nerve. This nerve is responsible for your sense of hearing and balance.

The primary symptom of this condition is hearing loss. Other signs and symptoms are loss of balance, ringing on the ear or tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, increased pressure on the ears, and vomiting. Other people might also suffer from total deafness if the condition worsened.

Before any treatment is instituted, a thorough diagnostic study is performed. The ear doctor will probably opt for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI study to determine the size of the tumor and the extent of damage. Several hearing examinations will also be done, as well as tests of balance control. This condition is not easy to diagnose, and it is more difficult if it developed on elderly individuals, because hearing loss can also be associated as a normal response to aging.

The first line of treatment is usually surgery, using several approaches. The aim of this treatment modality is to remove the tumor, especially if it is already large enough to cause total deafness. Moreover, a large tumor can also affect and alter the functions of other nearby organs.

The advent of cyberknife method

Another intervention is the cyberknife treatment for acoustic neuroma. This uses gamma radiation to incise or remove completely the growing tumor and leaving the site free of potentially harmful tumor cells. There are also different approaches to this kind of therapy, and Image Guidance is one of these. In this approach the procedure is being closely monitored by an X-ray procedure to determine whether the radiation is perfectly directed towards the tumor or not.

Another approach is the Robotic Mounting. It utilizes the robotics technology for a precise execution of the procedure. One advantage of this kind of approach is that the gamma rays are being emitted at different directions towards the tumor, and there is no need to use the X-ray.

As of the present, there are no recorded side effects of both approaches, because the radiation that is being used has a low frequency, which is being tolerated well by the body. However, further studies are being done to determine more the success of these in treating other conditions, and if they can really be risky to one's health.

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Canker Sore Treatment - What Medicine Is the Best to Heal Cold Sores Fast?

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters are a group of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters, which usually erupt on the lip, gums or the roof of the mouth. The area of skin around the blister turns red, swollen and sore. The sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type1 and are contagious. There can be a pain, tingling or itching one or two days before the cold sores appear. The blisters then break open leaking a clear fluid and the scab over after a few days. All and all the sores can take up to two weeks to heal.

Most people having cold sores desire an early treatment, as other than pain, it can also be an embarrassing to develop such sores. They look for various ways to get rid of these sores fast and apply different skin creams, ointments or sometimes-even pills. There are certain antiviral medications that are used for treatment. However unknown to most there are two types of mouth sores, canker sore and a cold sore (fever blister). Although most of us are unaware of the fact that these are two separate medical conditions and usually treat them both as same. A proper identification of the sore will help you select the right remedy or treatment for the sores.

The first outbreak is worse than a reoccurrence and is generally treated with oral medications. The reoccurrence is treated with a topical medication. Abreva, Zovirax and Valacyclovir are a few medicines being prescribed for shortening the duration and treatment of the cold sores. Most of the cold sore sufferers choose the topical creams, tablets, liquid drops and lip balms and gels to treat. The cold sore relief gels are used for getting a temporary relief of pain and itching associated with the fever blisters. An amino acid lysine cream can be used at first sign of tingling to block and make the outbreak disappear quickly. Being both painful and unsightly, a fast working remedy becomes very important.

However it should be noted that with so many medicines and remedies available today, knowing the exact triggering factor will help you get the most accurate treatment. Natural and drug free methods have been seen to work in a more perfect way compared to other medicines. There are some natural remedies, which can learn by accessing various videos, ebook, diet book, and mp3's available in market or on websites.

The cold sore remedy will guide you towards all the steps that need to be taken for the treatment. Being a 100% natural drug free solution, these remedies are quite effective and are being recommended by many doctors and medical practitioners recommend to their patients. Rather than using an expensive prescription or over the counter drugs, use these easy to follow program for getting rid of the cold sores.

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The Best Long Term Fibromyalgia Treatment Available Today

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) condition. It causes pain in your muscles, tendons and ligaments. Some medical researchers believe that it is caused by fatigue. However, whenever you are looking for the best treatment method, it is important to have a sure diagnosis first.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

There are specific criteria set forth by the American College of Rheumatology that is used in diagnosing fibromyalgia. They include:

Widespread pain lasting three months or moreA minimum of 11 tender points (specific points on your body that when touched cause pain)Tests need to be done to eliminate other possible reasons that you are feeling this wayA complete medical history needs to be reviewed

Once you do receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis you will need to work closely with your doctor in order to find the best treatment for you. There are several options whenever it comes to medications (i.e. analgesics, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications) but you need to take a look at their potential side effects before making your choice.

Medications For Fibromyalgia

It is important to take a look at each of the different types of medications that are used for treating fibromyalgia. These include:

Analgesic pain relievers, which include over-the-counter drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e. ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen) and prescription-strength medications too (i.e. Tramadol)Antidepressants (i.e. Amitriptyline, Duloxetine, Milnacipran) can help you sleep better and control painAnti-seizure medications (i.e. Gabapentin, Pregabalin), which were originally used in the treatment of epilepsy, can help with pain relief

Physical Therapy

Some doctors suggest that their patients undergo physical therapy. These exercises can help with both muscle balance and pain reduction. Hot and cold therapy is also sometimes used to help reduce pain. Some patients have also discovered that stretching exercises do help too.

Stress Management

Stress management is also really important. This can be done by meditation, tai chi or deep breathing exercises. Some patients will also need to cut back on strenuous activities. What it really comes down to is understanding your physical limits and acting accordingly. Of course, adequate sleep is also an important part of avoiding the severe fatigue that stress makes worse.

Mild Exercise

While you may think that exercise would be counterintuitive, it can actually bring relief. Some of the gentle exercises that are recommended include swimming, walking and tai chi. Initially this may make your symptoms worse but over time it will help to reduce them.

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