Sinus Drainage - Dealing With Drainage That Does Not Go Away From a Totally Different Angle

The fight appeared to be a losing battle with sinus drainage, mucus, pressure. As a child, before modern allergy testing was a common medical test, I remember blowing my nose almost constantly at certain times of the year. Although green mucus was not a problem, as I grew up things didn't get much better. But one day I came to the realization that I did not have to spend the rest of my life wearing out handkerchiefs. So I began to be open to ideas.

We were living at the time in California and a friend of mine, noticing my sinus misery, asked me if I had gone to see a chiropractor about my sinus problems, I said no. Then he told me about this story about how chiropractic had helped him solve some other health issues he had. Frankly, what I had heard about chiropractic had not been the most favorable. After some serious cogitation, nevertheless, I decided to go see the one my friend had gone to.

I still remember that first visit as if it were last week. I waited my turn--the waiting room was packed with people, some had come from other states just to see Dr. Z. Space does not allow for a full detailed account of the visit, but I can assure you it was the most interesting visit to see a health professional I ever had. In a nut shell this is what happened:

The doctor asked me if I wanted to have done the procedure he had described, I said yes. He laid me down on a special table and swung over my head a machine that looked to me like a drill press, but instead of having a bit at the end it had a metal devise with a rubber tip. The contraption tip was placed on the "right spot" and while he was talking to me he pressed a button and compressed air pushed the rubber tip onto that spot in a fraction of a second. I had just been "adjusted."

The theory behind the adjustment is that some misaligned bone on the back can exert pressure on the nerves running through the spinal cord. This robs the nerves from delivering their vital nerve energy to the various organs, etc., and thereby causes them to malfunction. The latter reveals itself in symptoms of various kinds which regular medicine does not know what is causing them--pain, green mucus,discomfort, cramping, malfunctioning of the immune system, etc., etc. My verdict on this chiropractic procedure I will summarize thus: This story happened to me a number of years ago. Since then I have had my back re-checked every so often, and when needed readjusted, ever since. It is a step in the right direction to put the body in a better position to deal with whatever is causing your sinus drainage, green mucus, or whatever sinus issue, by using its own defense mechanisms properly tuned.

How Doctors Accurately Diagnose Asthma

The diagnosis of an asthma patient can depend on the symptoms presented, a detailed medical history, the physical examination done by the doctor and the laboratory tests done to confirm the diagnosis. For the most part the diagnosis of asthma can be fairly easy once the results come through; however, the diagnosis has an involved process before the eventual results are determined.

For asthmatic patients symptoms can include problems related to breathing such as difficulty taking a breathe, wheezy respiration, labored breathing during activities that require exertion, chest tightness and any obstruction of airflow. A true indicator for asthma can be seen when the person gasps for breath with a wheezy sound, which is a characteristic picture of asthma. In addition, having a detailed medical history that includes any history of allergy, family history of asthma, persistent coughs, cold and seasonal allergies can be contributing factors for asthmatic patient.

After the diagnosis process has begun laboratory tests are usually ordered to confirm that the patient has asthma and can include blood tests for ESR and eosinophil counts that could give indication of any allergic reaction or chest infection, as these are also contributory factors. The chest x-ray confirms the expansion of the lungs as well as any infections or other abnormalities in the lungs that can contribute to asthma. The groups of tests performed to diagnose asthma are Pulmonary Function Tests, otherwise known as Spirometry. In this test the degree and access of airflow obstruction is measured along with the confirmation of its severity. These are otherwise termed FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. The assessment of the reversibility of asthma can also be done through these tests. Carrying out tests of allergen detection through skin sensitivity tests is also a form of testing. These tests are of prolonged duration by which time the person has a fully established asthma. Still, if the allergens detection is accurate and the person needs to stay away from certain allergic substances, then asthmatic attack is preventable.

One of the most experienced symptoms of asthma is a wheezing sound as air enters the respiratory system. Many other chest diseases can present the same types of breathing problems as asthma; hence an accurate diagnosis is very essential. Spirometry is the confirmatory lung test for asthma. Once the diagnosis is made, the options open to the patient vary in range from no prescription, for very mild cases of asthma, to a full course of asthmatic preventatives to help those patients who have a severe asthmatic problem.

Coping With Dog Food Allergies

Dealing with allergies of any kind can be incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating, never mind dog food allergies which can be rather difficult to pinpoint. Just what is it in that 20-ingredient pack of food that is causing these dog food allergies? How can you perform testing to see just what your dog is allergic too? Heck, how do you even know that your dog is suffering from dog food allergies?

Dog allergies all tend to have similar symptoms, all of which involves the scratching and pawing and chewing of some part of the body. The part of the body that is usually being scratched and chewed is related to his area of allergy. If a dog is having a food allergy, it may be the face that is being pawed, or your dog may be chewing at his abdominal area. As a result of the chewing, licking and scratching, dog skin problems may also arise due to a food allergy.

If you are wondering how you can start to determine and treat your pet's dog food allergies, then you have come to the right place.

1) Substitute his food: A great way to start the process of determining dog food allergies is to substitute the meat portion of your dog's food with a different meat. For instance, if the food you are feeding your dog is beef-based, switch it up with a lamb-based food and see if that cures the problem. Lamb is a safe choice as it is thought to be "non-allergic".

NOTE: You can also choose to buy some "allergy free formulas" of food, but this may not necessarily be the best dog food for your pet. Check out a number of different mixes, and always aim to purchase foods that do not include a lot of chemical preservatives, dyes, colors, or "filler" foods.

2) Introduce new foods slowly: though you may be anxious to try a new food with your dog to see if it helps his allergies, you need to introduce any new foods to your diet gradually over a week. Start off with a 4:1 ratio of old food to new, and build it up from there to a 3:2 ratio, a 2:3 ratio, 1:4 ratio and then a full serving o the new food.

3) Consult your Veterinarian: Vets do have the ability to perform some allergy tests on your dog to see what may be the issue. If the allergy is not very severe, they you may want to treat it symptomatically (with anti-histamines, cold compresses and medicated baths); however, if it is a severe allergy, then the cost to have the allergy testing done is well worth it.

What Is Applied Kinesiology?

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a unique form of complementary therapy that relies on very light touch to asses the state of the body. In an AK session, the patient usually lies on a massage couch, fully clothed, and the therapist will test various muscles to determine what is wrong with the patient. Often, it can feel like nothing is happening at all, but people report some amazing relief, often from very chronic problems. This form of alternative therapy treats everything from structural imbalances to headaches, insomnia, allergies and stress related disorders.

In AK, the idea is that internal organs are linked to outside muscles, and the state of one reflects the state of the other. It was developed in the 1960s by a man named Geogre Goodheart. Goodheart was a chiropractor and occultist and combined some elements of chinese medicine meridians with some older chiropractic manuals to form the system.

Muscle testing is the cornerstone of applied kinesiology. The usual one demonstrated is called the "delta test" and costists of the patient standing with an arm outstretched while holding a food substance that they might have an allergy to. The therapist or practitioner will press down on the arm between the elbow and wrist and asses the strength of the muscle. A muscle that is weak will show up with the arm dropping inexplicably, indicating an allergy. A strong muscle indicates no allergy.

This therapy should not be confused with Kinesiology (which is simply the study of human movement).

Applied kinesiology is taught in many colleges of natural medicine and can take 4 to 7 years of study leading to BS, MA and PHd degrees. However there are several simpler forms that are taught, mostly outcrops of one of Goodheart's students who simplified much of the theory and practice into a system called Touch For Health. This is a very popular form of AK because it is quick and easy to learn and easily taught to the general public.

Some of the major outcrops of AK are:

Touch for Health

Heath Kinesiology

Systematic Kinesiology

Three in one

Progressive Kinesiology

AK comes under a lot of criticism from the scientific community, though, as usual with alternative healthcare, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support the effectiveness of the therapy.

Allergies - How to Handle Mold and Your Dryer Exhaust Venting System

Clothes Dryers are a great convenience in our modern day world. They make our lives easier and less complicated than our parents in the past who hung their clothes out to dry on the clothes line. Some people today do not even know what a clothes line is. If you do not, do a search on Google to find out what one is. This convenience is great but it does have a few flaws that very few people even know about. One of them is that they can create mold that can affect individuals with Asthma and Allergies. We will go into these flaws in this article.

If you notice that every time you dry a load of clothes the lint catcher is full of lint that needs to be emptied every other time. This is because it prevents the lint from blowing out the exhaust vent. The truth is, it does not catch all the lint and some goes outside and the rest deposits on the inside of the exhaust vent pipe. Generally, most of the deposits of lint will be where the bends or angles are in the pipe unless you have one of the old ribbed metal piping. The problem with these deposits is that no one ever cleans the pipe.

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer exhaust pipe. It slowly becomes a fire hazard and a mold factory over the years. Have you ever opened your dryer and smelled a musty odor? That musty and moldy odor is from when the wind backdrafts into the house from the outside. This is a common problem for most households. Besides the mold, a lot of house fires can originate from the house dryer exhaust. According to National Fire Protection Agency, dryer exhausts cause more than 10,000 house fires a year. Most of these incidents occur in homes and are the result of improper lint cleanup and maintenance. Fortunately, these fires are very easy to prevent.

In conclusion, it is important to maintain your dryer vent system to prevent mold and fires from happening. Having a licensed Duct Cleaning Company come and clean the dryer vent is a must and should be done on a regular basis. In fact, after reading this article, call a Duct Cleaning Company to clean your dryer exhaust out now. If not, you could be suffering from allergies due to backdrafting of your dryer vent into your home or the worst case scenario, a fire could start from your dryer vent exhaust.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.

Oregano Supplements : An Effective Natural Treatment for Fungus and Other Ailments

What’s the big deal with oregano? Many of you have eaten foods containing oregano, or even sprinkled it on your pizza, without knowing its healing powers. In a comparative research, oregano topped the list of healthy herbs according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. According to, Shiow Y. Wang, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher and biochemist, herbs with the highest antioxidant activity belonged to the oregano family. In general, oregano had three to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied.

On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, which are known to be high in antioxidants. Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and four times more than blueberries, Wang said.

But, don’t head for your cupboards yet, the form of oregano that contains the most health benefits is the oil of oregano. Thanks to one of the powerful compounds found in the plant, carvacrol, it can fight off a range of infections and a variety of fungi. Extensive research has been conducted on oil of oregano and it has been credited as an effective treatment for ailments such as indigestion, Candida (yeast overgrowth), diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache rheumatism, and bronchitis (primarily for it's antispasmodic effects), among other disorders.

It’s such a beneficial herb that book solely on oregano was even published. Dr. Cass InGram unveiled its overlooked health benefits in The Cure is in the Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for Better Health. He notes that "wild oregano is a veritable natural mineral treasure-house, containing a density of minerals that would rival virtually any food." The wild oregano is rich in a long list of minerals that includes calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron, and manganese. Vitamins C and A (beta carotene) and niacin also are contained in oregano. All of this helps make oregano oil a significant factor in treating internal and external fungi including athletes foot. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can be improved with the treatment as well. Ingram explains the astonishing discovery that "oil of oregano outright destroys all variety of fungi and yeasts, regardless of where they reside."

There are many oregano supplements in the market, but beware of their content. To be beneficial the oil must be wild, mountain-grown and free of all chemicals and pesticides. It also has to be emulsified in a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil. True oregano grows only under specific soil and climate conditions and cannot be reproduced in your own backyard, even if the seeds are planted.

North American Herb & Spice NAHS) was the first company on the American market to introduce edible Oil of Oregano. Their oil is from 100% hand-picked, wild, Mediterranean oregano along with, documented research and testimonials of proven success.

Now that you have the scoop on the wonder herb, where can you get some of the true wild oregano oil you might ask? Easy, visit these direct links for detailed information on NAHS oregano products and choose the one best suited for your needs.

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Differences Between Flu-Like Symptoms and Allergies

If you're in bed all day with flu-like symptoms, allergies could be the actual root cause. Often, people mistake simple allergy signs for more severe conditions like a cold or the flu.

So, to gain more understanding about the differences between allergic reactions and a typical flu, read on.

All Allergies Aren't Created Equal

Just because someone is having an allergic reaction doesn't mean they'll automatically exhibit a runny nose and itchy eyes. In fact, many allergies are symptomatic as stomach pains, aches, a rash or other flu-like indicators. Allergies are simply a range of reactions to different antigens, and those reactions can vary depending on the individual and the allergy itself.

Some allergic reactions are disguised as a low-grade fever, aches, pains and chills - all signs associated with the flu.

Understanding the Difference

The most obvious indicator that you may be suffering from allergies and not the flu is if your noticeable evidences are consistent and last throughout the allergy or pollen season. Another possible indicator occurs when your symptoms are sustained over a long period of time. Where this is the case, then environmental factors in your home or work space could be a contributing factor.

Asbestos and mold can both cause serious and ongoing allergic reactions that are very similar to the flu. If you suspect mold problems, you should have your home inspected and talk to your doctor.

Be Aware of the Seasons

In the middle of January in Michigan, for example, chances are that you're suffering from the flu and not a pollen-based allergic reaction. Allergy season is usually through the warm spring and summer months.

That said, some allergies can be caused by allergens like pet dander, airborne particles, pollution, mold, dust and other aggravating factors. Another possibility is diet or reactions to medication.

Get a Diagnosis

Your doctor may diagnose with you the flu or prescribe you with a short course of allergy drugs to test their efficacy. Another method is to test for specific allergies to see if they are actually the root cause of the flu-like experience.

Another professional you may want to speak to is a naturopath - this individual will test you for a variety of food and environment-based allergens. He or she can also help you improve your diet as a way of boosting your immune system and improving your ability to help you fight off viruses like the flu.

A Flu Vaccination

If you're suffering from flu-like signs, allergies could be the culprit. However, the flu is the most likely cause. To protect yourself, make sure you get a flu vaccination every year.