I have what appears to be a chronic sinus condition which has been given tentative diagnoses over time as allergies, sinus infe

Chronic Recurrent Sinus Condition

This is, unfortunately, a common situation, commonly mis-treated. Chronic sinus congestion, usually induced by inhaled allergens, sometimes with the addition food allergens or inflammation-promoting foods, can lead to colonization with various bacteria. Sometimes, the bacteria are invasive, leading to a true sinus infection. Most often, the bacteria simply worsen the inflammation, or are just innocent bystanders.

The condition being worse in the cold weather, when the house is closed up, and heating system is operating, suggests that dust-mite and mold might be the triggering factors. If there are pets, their hair or dander may also be involved. Measures to be taken related to the indoor environment include: regular maintenance of the heating ducts and filters; dust-control measures; air cleaners; limiting pet exposures; avoidance of tobacco smoke and other fumes. Use of anti-allergy/inflammatory herbs, such as freeze-dried stinging nettle, quercetin, and butterbur can help.

Foods can produce excess mucous production and congestion. Most of the time, this is not a severe reaction, such as hives, wheezing or throat/tongue swelling. Reactions may be more subtle, involving congestion, fatigue, headache, or joint stiffness. Cow milk and wheat/gluten products are most frequently involved, but corn, soy, eggs, and mold or yeast containing foods can also be problems. Allergy is additive. It is possible to be sensitive to a food all year round, but only react in a major way when exposed to other allergens, such as dust, mold, ragweed, etc. It may be worthwhile eliminating wheat and dairy, or other suspects, for 2 weeks or more.

Inflammation is an essential process in the body, necessary for fighting infection and repairing damaged tissues. We also have an anti-inflammatory system, which puts a limit on the inflammatory processes, keeping them focused on the immediate needs. Many diets are high in substances which promote of inflammation. We make inflammatory chemicals from components of dietary fat. Fats called "saturated", "trans", and "omega-6", often found in animal fat, hydrogenated oils, and certain vegetable oils, will promote inflammation, while those called "mono-unsaturated" and "omega-3" reduce inflammation. These are found in olive, coconut, canola, walnut, grapeseed and soy oils, as well as in cold-water fish and some beans. High intake of sugars and refined starches can over-stimulate insulin production, which will promote inflammation. Avoidance of animal and butter fats, of all trans fats, increasing the anti-inflammatory fats, and avoidance of concentrated sugars and refined starches can reduce inflammation in the body.

Use of antibiotics, which poison bacteria, can be temporarily useful in some cases of sinusitis, but this is treating the endpoint rather than the earlier stages of the process. Also, antibiotics will kill the beneficial bacteria along with those causing problems. This leaves room for resistant bacteria, and yeasts and molds to grow. The latter can then cause the body to cross-react to the molds and yeasts in the environment and food, leading to further inflammation—a vicious cycle! If antibiotics are used, it is important to follow them with probiotics, which re-seed the intestines with beneficial bacteria.

Immune support and use of natural anti-bacterial herbs area a useful combination to prevent and to treat sinusitis. There are a number of products available, including mushroom and ginseng extracts, Astragalus, Echinacea, oil of Oregano, vitamin C, which will stimulate and support the immune system, reduce the chance of infection, and control bacterial overgrowth. Some typical examples for acute treatment: "Host Defense", by New Chapter, 1 cap twice daily; "Cold-FX", an American Ginseng estract, 3 caps 3 times day 1, 2 caps 3 times daily day 2, 1 cap 3 times daily day 3, then 1 cap twice daily; Astragalus and Echinacea fluid extracts, 2 droppers 2-3 times daily; Oil of Oregano capsules by Gaia Herbs, 2 capsules 3 times daily for 3 days, then half this for 7 days; vitamin C 4-6 grams per day, or higher to bowel-tolerance levels