Cleansing nasal passages may ease symptoms ·
by Dr. Seth D. Torregiani
Originally published Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 online at:
http://delawareonline.com/
All Rights Reserved.
When I first moved to Delaware, people warned me of our state’s propensity to cause sinus and allergy woes where none existed before. Being blessed with clear nasal passages for most of my life, I considered myself immune to such dire warnings.
More than four years later, I find that a subtle pressure behind my eyes and a persistent postnasal drip (hallmarks of chronic sinus inflammation) have become near-constant companions. Like thousands before me, my nose and sinuses have joined the battle against Delaware’s many allergens.
The main treatment for allergic rhinitis — the stuffy nose and congestion problems caused by exposure to pollen, dust, grasses and other allergens — and related sinus problems is the use of antihistamines and nasal sprays.
Pills (such as Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec) and nasal sprays (like Flonase and RhinoCort) control allergy symptoms by suppressing the part of the immune system responsible for the allergic response. Severe allergy sufferers may even get regular allergy shots, which gradually desensitize the body to specific allergens, making life more tolerable in the spring, summer and fall.
But for those who don’t tolerate allergy medications or who simply don’t want to take them, there is another approach.
The human nose and sinus system are an ingenious mechanism for warming and humidifying the air we breathe, and for trapping and removing particles that may cause us harm (viruses and bacteria, dust, pollen, spores, etc.). The system isn’t foolproof — people still get asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia — but it works pretty well most of the time.
By utilizing techniques that support the natural function of this system, we can do quite a bit to relieve allergy symptoms.
The first such technique is basically a power wash for your sinuses. The neti pot is a ceramic pot with a small handle and a long, narrow spout that is used to pour warm saline into one nostril. Salt water enters the nasal passages and the sinus system, and drains out the other nostril, washing out excess mucus, allergens and other debris in the process. The sensation feels a bit weird at first (like water filling your nose after diving into a pool), but once you’re done, your nasal passages feel clearer and you can usually breathe more easily.
A similar device, called Nasaline, consists of a syringe attached to a small silicone tip that fits against the nostril. With the Nasaline device, saline is injected with a slight pressure into each nostril, resulting in a similar sensation to the neti pot. These devices are available online and in some health food stores or pharmacies.
Manual medicine therapies, particularly craniosacral therapy and lymphatic drainage techniques, also can open clogged sinuses, resulting in symptomatic relief. These therapies, performed by some osteopathic physicians, chiropractors and other body-work professionals, are gentle techniques that promote the body’s own immune functions by encouraging improved respiration and lymphatic flow.
Another alternative health technique that can provide relief from allergy symptoms is acupuncture. Very thin, sterile needles are placed at different points on the face and elsewhere on the body (usually the extremities) to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. Although the exact mechanism is unclear (the needles may promote increased blood flow to the sinuses or affect the nerves leading to them), many people report improvement in symptoms over several treatments.
Aromatherapy also may play a role. Eucalyptus, camphor (a main ingredient in Vicks VapoRub) and lavender are popular scents employed by people seeking allergy relief. These scents, in particular, seem to be effective in opening the nasal passages and encouraging sinus drainage. Many aromatherapy delivery systems are available and range widely in cost. Pregnant women and, of course, people with allergies to these substances, should avoid aromatherapy unless under the supervision of a professional.
Other techniques that may be worth a try include regular aerobic exercise, particularly if followed by 10 to 15 minutes of inhaled steam. In some allergy suffers, dairy products may increase mucus production, so eliminating or reducing dairy in your diet may offer relief.
Finally, gastroesophageal reflux disease has been associated in some with chronic sinus congestion, so controlling disease symptoms, either through diet or medications, may help clear up your sinuses.
Dr. Seth D. Torregiani recently completed his residency training at Christiana Care Health System and will soon open a holistic medical practice in Newark.
Originally published Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 online at:
http://delawareonline.com/
All Rights Reserved.