You’re coughing and sneezing and tired and achy. You think that you might be getting a cold. Later, when the medicines you’ve been taking to relieve the symptoms of the common cold are not working and you’ve now got a terrible headache, you finally drag yourself to the doctor. After listening to your history of symptoms, examining your face and forehead, and perhaps doing a sinus X-ray, the doctor says you have sinusitis.

Sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed, but this gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. Health care experts usually divide sinusitis cases into

• Acute, which lasts for 3 weeks or less
• Chronic, which usually lasts for 3 to 8 weeks but can continue for months or even years
• Recurrent, which is several acute attacks within a year

What are sinuses?

Sinuses are hollow air spaces in the human body. When people say, “I’m having a sinus attack,” they usually are referring to symptoms in one or more of four pairs of cavities, or sinuses, known as paranasal sinuses. These cavities, located within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose, include the:

• Frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area
• Maxillary sinuses inside each cheekbone
• Ethmoid sinuses just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes
• Sphenoid sinuses behind the Ethmoid in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes

Each sinus has an opening into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucus, and each is joined with the nasal passages by a continuous mucous membrane lining. Therefore, anything that causes a swelling in the nose-an infection, an allergic reaction, or an immune reaction-also can affect the sinuses. Air trapped within a blocked sinus, along with pus or other secretions may cause pressure on the sinus wall. The result is the sometimes intense pain of a sinus attack. Similarly, when air is prevented from entering a paranasal sinus by a swollen membrane at the opening, a vacuum can be created that also causes pain.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The location of your sinus pain depends on which sinus is affected.

• Headache when you wake up in the morning is typical of a sinus problem.
• Pain when your forehead over the frontal sinuses is touched may indicate that your frontal sinuses are inflamed.
• Infection in the maxillary sinuses can cause your upper jaw and teeth to ache and your cheeks to become tender to the touch.
• Since the Ethmoid sinuses are near the tear ducts in the corner of the eyes, inflammation of these cavities often causes swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes. Ethmoid inflammation also can cause tenderness when the sides of your nose are touched, a loss of smell, and a stuffy nose.
• Although the sphenoid sinuses are less frequently affected, infection in this area can cause earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top of your head.

Most people with sinusitis, however, have pain or tenderness in several locations, and their symptoms usually do not clearly indicate which sinuses are inflamed.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include

• Fever
• Weakness
• Tiredness

• A cough that may be more severe at night

• Runny nose (rhinitis) or nasal congestion

In addition, the drainage of mucus from the sphenoids or other sinuses down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) can cause you to have a sore throat. Mucus drainage also can irritate the membranes lining your larynx (upper windpipe). Not everyone with these symptoms, however, has sinusitis.

On rare occasions, acute sinusitis can result in brain infection and other serious complications.

What are some causes of acute sinusitis?

Most cases of acute sinusitis start with a common cold, which is caused by a virus. These viral colds do not cause symptoms of sinusitis, but they do inflame the sinuses. Both the cold and the sinus inflammation usually go away without treatment in 2 weeks. The inflammation, however, might explain why having a cold increases your likelihood of developing acute sinusitis. For example, your nose reacts to an invasion by viruses that cause infections such as the common cold or flu by producing mucus and sending white blood cells to the lining of the nose, which congest and swell the nasal passages.

When this swelling involves the adjacent mucous membranes of your sinuses, air and mucus are trapped behind the narrowed openings of the sinuses. When your sinus openings become too narrow, mucus cannot drain properly. This increase in mucus sets up prime conditions for bacteria to multiply.

Most healthy people harbour bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, in their upper respiratory tracts with no problems until the body’s defenses are weakened or drainage from the sinuses is blocked by a cold or other viral infection. Thus, bacteria that may have been living harmlessly in your nose or throat can multiply and invade your sinuses, causing an acute sinus infection.

Sometimes, fungal infections can cause acute sinusitis. Although fungi are abundant in the environment, they usually are harmless to healthy people, indicating that the human body has a natural resistance to them. Fungi, such as Aspergillus, can cause serious illness in people whose immune systems are not functioning properly. Some people with fungal sinusitis have an allergic-type reaction to the fungi.

Chronic inflammation of the nasal passages also can lead to sinusitis. If you have allergic rhinitis or hay fever, you can develop episodes of acute sinusitis. Vasomotor rhinitis, caused by humidity, cold air, alcohol, perfumes, and other environmental conditions, also may be complicated by sinus infections.

Acute sinusitis is much more common in some people than in the general population. For example, sinusitis occurs more often in people who have reduced immune function (such as those with immune deficiency diseases or HIV infection) and with abnormality of mucus secretion or mucus movement (such as those with cystic fibrosis).

What causes chronic sinusitis?

If you have asthma, an allergic disease, you may have frequent episodes of chronic sinusitis.

If you are allergic to airborne allergens, such as dust, mould, and pollen, which trigger allergic rhinitis, you may develop chronic sinusitis. In addition, people who are allergic to fungi can develop a condition called “allergic fungal sinusitis.”

If you are subject to getting chronic sinusitis, damp weather, especially in northern temperate climates, or pollutants in the air and in buildings also can affect you.

Like acute sinusitis, you might develop chronic sinusitis if you have an immune deficiency disease or an abnormality in the way mucus moves through and from your respiratory system (e.g., immune deficiency, HIV infection, and cystic fibrosis). In addition, if you have severe asthma, nasal polyps (small growths in the nose), or a severe asthmatic response to aspirin and aspirin-like medicines such as ibuprofen, you might have chronic sinusitis often.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Because your nose can get stuffy when you have a condition like the common cold, you may confuse simple nasal congestion with sinusitis. A cold, however, usually lasts about 7 to 14 days and disappears without treatment. Acute sinusitis often lasts longer and typically causes more symptoms than just a cold.

Your doctor can diagnose sinusitis by listening to your symptoms, doing a physical examination, and taking X-rays, and if necessary, an MRI or CT scan (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography).

How is sinusitis treated?

After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, a doctor can suggest treatments that will reduce your inflammation and relieve your symptoms.

Acute sinusitis

If you have acute sinusitis, your doctor may recommend

• Decongestants to reduce congestion
  • Antibiotics to control a bacterial infection, if present
  • Pain relievers to reduce any pain

You should, however, use over-the-counter or prescription decongestant nose drops and sprays for only a few days. If you use these medicines for longer periods, they can lead to even more congestion and swelling of your nasal passages.

If bacteria cause your sinusitis, antibiotics used along with a nasal or oral decongestant will usually help. Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic that fights the type of bacteria most commonly associated with sinusitis.

Many cases of acute sinusitis will end without antibiotics. If you have allergic disease along with infectious sinusitis, however, you may need medicine to relieve your allergy symptoms. If you already have asthma then get sinusitis, you may experience worsening of your asthma and should be in close touch with your doctor.

In addition, your doctor may prescribe a steroid nasal spray, along with other treatments, to reduce your sinus congestion, swelling, and inflammation.

Chronic sinusitis

Doctors often find it difficult to treat chronic sinusitis successfully, realizing that symptoms persist even after taking antibiotics for a long period. In general, however, treating chronic sinusitis, such as with antibiotics and decongestants, is similar to treating acute sinusitis.

Some people with severe asthma have dramatic improvement of their symptoms when their chronic sinusitis is treated with antibiotics.

Although home remedies cannot cure sinus infection, they might give you some comfort.

• Inhaling steam from a vaporizer or a hot cup of water can soothe inflamed sinus cavities.
• Saline nasal spray, which you can buy in a drug store, can give relief.
• Gentle heat applied over the inflamed area is comforting.

When medical treatment fails, surgery may be the only alternative for treating chronic sinusitis. Research studies problems often are eliminated by removal of adenoids obstructing nasal-sinus passages. Suggest that the vast majority of people who undergo surgery have fewer symptoms and better quality of life.

In children, problems often are eliminated by removal of adenoids obstructing nasal-sinus passages

Adults who have had allergic and infectious conditions over the years sometimes develop nasal polyps that interfere with proper drainage. Removal of these polyps and/or repair of a deviated septum to ensure an open airway often provides considerable relief from sinus symptoms.

The most common surgery done today is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, in which the natural openings from the sinuses are enlarged to allow drainage. This type of surgery is less invasive than conventional sinus surgery, and serious complications are rare.

How can I prevent sinusitis?

Although you cannot prevent all sinus disorders-any more than you can avoid all colds or bacterial infections-you can do certain things to reduce the number and severity of the attacks and possibly prevent acute sinusitis from becoming chronic.

• You may get some relief from your symptoms with a humidifier, particularly if room air in your home is heated by a dry forced-air system.
• Air conditioners help to provide an even temperature.
• Electrostatic filters attached to heating and air conditioning equipment are helpful in removing allergens from the air.

If you are prone to getting sinus disorders, especially if you have allergies, you should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. If your allergies inflame your nasal passages, you are more likely to have a strong reaction to all irritants.

If you suspect that your sinus inflammation may be related to dust, mould, pollen, or food-or any of the hundreds of allergens that can trigger an upper respiratory reaction-you should consult your doctor. Your doctor can use various tests to determine whether you have an allergy and its cause. This will help you and your doctor to take appropriate steps to reduce or limit your allergy symptoms.

Drinking alcohol also causes nasal and sinus membranes to swell.

If you are prone to sinusitis, it may be uncomfortable for you to swim in pools treated with chlorine, since it irritates the lining of the nose and sinuses.

Divers often get sinus congestion and infection when water is forced into the sinuses from the nasal passages.

You may find that air travel poses a problem if you are suffering from acute or chronic sinusitis. As air pressure in a plane is reduced, pressure can build up in your head blocking your sinuses or Eustachian tubes in your ears. Therefore, you might feel discomfort in your sinus or middle ear during the plane’s ascent or descent. Some doctors recommend using decongestant nose drops or inhalers before your flight to avoid this problem.

What research is going on?

Scientific studies have shown a close relationship between having allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. In fact, some studies state that up to 80 percent of adults with chronic sinusitis also had allergic rhinitis. There is also an association between asthma and sinusitis. Some researchers think that as many as 75 percent of people with asthma also get sinusitis. Research is focused on developing better treatments and ways to prevent these diseases.

Help full link

www.sinuswars.com/sinus.asp

The views expressed in this article are not necessary that of Peninsula Massage and is meant for helpful advice only and is not medical advice. If you have any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice. ]]> http://peninsulamassage.com.au/sinusitis/feed/ 0 http://peninsulamassage.com.au/recognizing-a-stroke/ http://peninsulamassage.com.au/recognizing-a-stroke/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:42:23 +0000 admin http://peninsulamassage.com.au/?p=464

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters…..  S. T. R. It only takes a minute to read this… A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally.  He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.  The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking four simple questions. Read and Learn these 4 steps: S *Ask the individual to SMILE. T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently i.e. It is sunny out today). R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. New Sign of a Stroke — Stick out Your Tongue Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked,’ if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, Call 000 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

]]> http://peninsulamassage.com.au/recognizing-a-stroke/feed/ 0 http://peninsulamassage.com.au/does-your-blood-type-reveal-your-personality/ http://peninsulamassage.com.au/does-your-blood-type-reveal-your-personality/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:55:03 +0000 admin http://peninsulamassage.com.au/?p=419

IMPORTANT INFO

What is it?

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Pneumonia is a serious condition in which fluid and/or pus get(s) into the alveoli, blocking them and preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. The lack of oxygen will make you breathless and starve your body’s organs of the oxygen they need to function properly. The extensive inflammation usually causes other symptoms as well, such as fever, chills, tiredness and chest pain.

Who suffers from pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a common disease, particularly in winter and spring due to the increased circulation of bacterial and viral respiratory infections that often occurs at those times of year. However, it can be fatal, particularly for people who are sick, very old or very young. Doctors estimate that up to 15 per cent of people who are hospitalised with pneumonia may die from it.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia is not a single illness — doctors estimate that there are at least 30 causes of pneumonia, some of which are more likely to be life-threatening than others. However, most pneumonias are caused by:

• bacteria;
• viruses;
• mycoplasma (microscopic organisms like bacteria);
• fungi;
• accidentally breathing food into the lungs, e.g. when vomiting; or
• inhaling liquid, chemicals or dust into the lungs.

In most cases, pneumonia starts after the infectious agent is inhaled into the lungs. However, sometimes the infection gets to the lungs by other means, carried there by the bloodstream or by being transported to the lungs from a nearby infection in the body. In many people who have pneumonia, the exact cause can’t be identified despite extensive testing.

Sometimes pneumonia can occur after a person remains immobile after surgery or an injury. Shallow breathing and not being able to cough properly may lead to mucus being retained in the lungs which makes a person more susceptible to bacterial infection. This is one reason that bedridden people are at a high risk of developing pneumonia.

Who is at risk?

While any person can catch pneumonia, some people may be more at risk than others. These include heavy drinkers or smokers and people who have chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with compromised immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, may contract a type of pneumonia known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which is caused by a type of microorganism. Often the appearance of this pneumonia is the first sign of AIDS developing in people infected with HIV.

Pneumococcal vaccination

A vaccine called Pneumovax is available in Australia that can help prevent pneumonia due to the pneumococcus bacterium (pneumococcal pneumonia). It is usually given to those most at risk such as the over-65s, people whose immune systems don’t function fully (immunocompromised), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 years of age, and people with chronic illness that would put them at high risk if they got pneumococcal pneumonia.

Another pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar) is recommended for all Australian children to prevent pneumonia and other pneumococcal infections.

Symptoms
The symptoms of pneumonia depend on the age of the person, the cause and severity of the infection, and any existing problems with immunity. Some of the symptoms may include:

• Rapid breathing
• Breathing difficulties
• Fever
• General malaise
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Blue coloration of the skin around the mouth (cyanosis), caused by lack of oxygen.

A range of causes
Pneumonia can be triggered by a cold or bout of flu, which allows the germs to gain access to the alveoli. In approximately half of all cases, no cause is ever found. Some of the micro-organisms that can cause pneumonia include:

• Bacteria – symptoms include rust or green-colored phlegm. Anyone of any age can be affected, but susceptible groups include babies, the elderly, alcoholics and people recovering from surgery or coping with other illnesses (such as lung disease).
• Viruses – symptoms are similar to a severe bout of flu. It is thought that around 50 per cent of pneumonia cases are caused by viral infections.
• Mycoplasma (a special kind of bacteria) – symptoms can include white phlegm, nausea and vomiting. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma organisms is generally mild, but recovery takes longer.

Things to remember

• Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, caused by bacteria or viruses.
• Anyone of any age can be affected, but children under the age of four years are very susceptible.
• Certain people can be immunised against one of the most common types of bacterial pneumonia.
• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Pneumonia_explained
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pneumonia.html ( go to)

The EGCG in green tea extract protects against digestive and respiratory infections, blocks the actions of carcinogens which promotes cancer, is anti-bacterial, and also helps lower cholesterol levels.

Green tea extract is also a common ingredient in many fat burners – it helps with thermo genesis and helps the metabolism of fat. It works without increasing the heart rate which is most often associated with most fat burners. With green tea, dieters get the weight loss without the jitters and side effects. Green tea extract itself is used as a weight loss supplement among its many other beneficial uses. Green tea extract also helps reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and has been recently show to help prevent liver failure.

The glycemic index ranks foods on how they affect our blood glucose levels. This index measures how much your blood glucose increases in the two or three hours after eating.

The glycemic index is about foods high in carbohydrates. Foods high in fat or protein don’t cause your blood glucose level to rise much.

When you make use of the glycemic index to prepare healthy meals, it helps to keep your blood glucose levels under control. This is especially important for people with diabetes, although athletes and people who are overweight also stand to benefit from knowing about this relatively new concept in good nutrition.

The carbohydrate we eat is digested and absorbed too quickly because most modern starchy foods have a high GI Factor.

There are many sites out there that explain the Glycemic Index with great detail including lists of different ratings for food types so I have included some links below to help you understand more about the Glycemic Index.

Interactive Glycemic Load Excel Spreadsheet: (MS Excel requires to open the file on your computer)

• http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au/GlycemicLoad.xls

“Diabetes & Diet” offers excellent advice from Malcolm Graham.

• http://diabetestype2.ca/diet.htm

The Glycemic Index Foundation of  South Africa

• http://www.gifoundation.com

The University of Sydney’s GI Website

• http://www.glycemicindex.com

The official Michel Montignac website in both English and French in Quebec, Canada, is his weight-loss clinic based in part on the glycemic index.

• http://www.montignac.com/en/ig_concept.php