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Chronic Sinusitis: A Common Perpetuating Factor?

In far too many instances, in my opinion, researchers have found one potential initiating or perpetuating factor associated with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and assume that they have found THE CAUSE or THE CURE. In most cases, the development of FMS or full-blown bodywide chronic myofascial pain (CMP) is multifactorial. There may be a heterogeneous collection of factors that initiate and/or perpetuate the central sensitization if it is FMS. I have found that the key to success in dealing with FMS, just as in dealing with CMP, is to identify as many perpetuating factors as possible and control them as much as possible. I think I have found a hitherto unsuspected cause of, or at least contributor to, some cases of central sensitization, and perhaps a successful therapy for it.

Research indicates that FMS may be central nervous system (CNS) sensitization resulting from an immune response leading to spinal glial activation (Staud 2004). At the Focus on Pain (Travell) Seminar in Orlando, Florida, in 2003, Dr. Linda Watkins, Director of the Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD program, explained her research at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Her team is investigating the onset of chronic pain and the mechanism causing central sensitization. They have found that the CNS can be sensitized by many factors, including infection and trauma, but the key to the sensitization is the activation of spinal glial cells. [More on Dr. Watkins’ presentation is found elsewhere on the Focus on Pain handout on this website.]

A team lead by Joyce DeLeo, MD, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, found that the CNS neuroimmunological cascade response leading to chronic pain states may also be linked to opioid tolerance (DeLeo, Tanga, Tawfik 2004). They found that the changes in CNS glial cells and proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to central sensitization can decrease the effectiveness of opioid medications. This team also found that neuroinflammation and interstitial swelling can be integral parts of central sensitization. I have found that interstitial swelling can be tied to pain levels in some patients with FMS and CMP. Also of interest is their observation of cellular adhesion molecules in the lumbar spinal cord following peripheral inflammatory stimuli. This may indicate a similar process occurring in the central nervous system similar to the myofascial cellular adhesion in response to mechanical or biochemical trauma. This team provided another piece of the puzzle.

Another piece, and a big one, came with the presentation of a paper on March 23,2004, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Francisco.

A Mayo Clinic team of physicians lead by David A. Sherris found that airborne fungi commonly found in the mucus linings of the sinuses can adversely affect individuals prone to chronic sinusitis. These fungi provoke an immune response, which in turn attacks the fungi, resulting in symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Could this immune response provoke central sensitization? The team ran a placebo controlled, double blind pilot study using Amphotericin-B intranasally. Seventy percent of the linings of the sinus membranes of those patients on the drug decreased in thickness, and the symptoms abated. Approaching chronic sinusitis as an immune disorder creates a different perspective.

Dr. Sherris, now interim chair of the University of Buffalo Department of Otolaryngology, is using the Amphotericin B nasal spray the team used on his patients. He reports on WebMD that this study may indicate the first ever treatment for the cause of chronic sinusitis, rather than a symptomatic approach.

In 1992, an article linked chronic rhinitis to FMS (Cleveland, Fisher, Brestel, et al. 1992). This team studied 47 consecutive patients with allergic rhinitis in a general allergy clinic and found congestion in 91%, rhinitis in 87% and postnasal drip in 83%. Forty-nine percent met the ACR criteria for FMS, and the team concluded: “Rhinitis…is associated with fibromyalgia and may be an underdiagnosed but important causative factor.”

One review shows how neurogenic mechanisms can complicate sinusitis (Baraniuk 2001). Stimulation of nasal sensory nerves leads to pain and congestion. Pain receptors cause release of substance P, stimulating mucosal defense mechanisms. Sympathetic dysfunction then can cause sinuses to fill and the mucosal lining to thicken. Fibromyalgia is associated with sympathetic hypersensitivity.

I have been working on a review of 200 patient interviews picked at random from over 1000 interviews done between 1992 through 1999. [This review will be posted on the website.] These patients had diagnosed or suspected FMS and/or CMP. The patient interviews were reviewed to identify and assess possible symptom clusters and patterns. Almost all of the patients had at least one myofascial trigger point (TrP), and most of the patients had either CMP or a combination of FMS and numerous TrPs. Of the 200 patients, only 11 patients did not have either FMS or CMP. The most common symptom listed was post-nasal drip. Of the 189 patients with either FMS and/or CMP, all 189 had post nasal drip. This result was unexpected. The post nasal drip was frequently accompanied by sinus congestion and runny nose.

Specific head and neck TrPs can cause drippy nose and congestion. Trigger points in the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) alone can cause, among other things, coordination problems, proprioceptor dysfunction, dizziness, imbalance, neck soreness, a swollen-glands feeling, runny nose, maxillary sinus congestion, tension headaches, eye problems (tearing, blurred or double vision, inability to raise the upper eyelid, dimming of perceived light intensity), spatial disorientation, postural dizziness, vertigo and nerve impingement (Simons, Travell, Simons 1999). Many of these symptoms mimic chronic sinusitis. A picture was developing.

Late in 2003 I had been given another piece of the puzzle, although I didn’t know it at the time.

I met with Lawrence Funt, DDS, MSD, Director of the CranioFascial Pain Center in Bethesda, MD. During an afternoon together, we discussed Janet Travell and the founding of myofascial medicine. We also discussed the Funt-Symptom Index (Funt 1988). During the course of a long career in pain management, Dr. Funt had noticed patterns of symptoms that occurred in patients in sequence, according to age and length of pain history. His patients between the ages of 4 and 6 years experienced clenching of the jaw, stuffy ears and headaches. Symptoms progressed, and by age 21 to 30 there appeared, among other symptoms, maxillary sinus pain that became increasingly frequent. This later fit into the puzzle. We also spoke of biofilms.

Biofilms are becoming increasingly important in medicine, science and technology. Bacteria and other organisms have developed a successful survival strategy. They grow in a slimy mass, covering themselves with protective polysaccharides. These biofilms develop on the surfaces of medical devices, in air and water treatment systems, and in human bodies. Organisms in biofilms are remarkably resistant to anything you throw at them. Counter agents need to get through the slime and kill all the organisms, or the buggies just multiply themselves right back, often with a resistance to the first counteragent used against them. The July 4, 2003, edition of Science gave a good description of biofilms as a community, with a layer of slime covering “…the entire community, protecting it from attacks by the body’s immune system.” That piece fingered biofilms as the culprit in bladder infections. Osteomyelitis, Cystic Fibrosis, prostatitis, and middle ear infections are biofilm infections (Costerton 1998).

Organisms in biofilms are protected against antibacterial chemicals and environmental predators. Nutrient limitations and the build-up of toxic metabolites favor the formation of biofilms (Donlon, Costerton 2002). This occurs often in FMS (Starlanyl and Copeland 2001) and in the area of a myofascial TrP (Simons, Travell, Simons 1999). Biofilms are associated with increased fibronectin, coaggregation and adhesions, and the production of endotoxins. Biofilms can also be formed by mycobacteria (Hall-Stoodley, Keevil, Lappin-Scott 1999). Organisms forming biofilms are resistant critters. They could be perpetuating factors in a number of cases of FMS and CMP.

Some of my review patients with long-standing symptoms had mentioned childhood dental problems. Others recalled frequent bouts of sinusitis and earaches. Sternocleidomastoid TrPs are common and cause a lot of symptoms that can be mistaken for sinusitis. Trigger points in the longus colli muscle can cause sore throat, persistent tickle in throat, and a lump in throat. Deep anterior neck muscles can refer to the laryngeal area. Cricoarytenoid TrPs cause regional muscle pain on talking, and a sore throat. Other TrPs can be responsible for ear pain, stuffiness of the ear, and temporary hearing impairment. One study found that of 111 patients with suspected chronic maxillary sinusitis, only 56% had that diagnosis verified. In 61 % of the patients in whom it could not be verified, dental infections and/or myofascial pain were the most common cause (Lindahl, Lelen, Ekedahl 1982). Possible patterns were emerging.

Chronic sinusitis (or its symptoms) is frequently treated by antibiotics. Patients often reported frequent antibiotic use during periods of their lives. The use of antibiotics would enhance fungal problems, although they might reduce congestion if there were a secondary bacterial infection. The drippy nose and congestion would return, because the fungi and immune response would remain.

Patients often mentioned chronic yeast infections. Women especially reported this, although some men and boys also mentioned gastrointestinal yeast problems or thrush. Many patients also had symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia or insulin resistance. Insulin resistant states provide a fertile home for fungi and yeasts. A subset of patients also reported mold sensitivity, although this was not one of the parameters of the review. Several patients also reported treatment with antifungals Nystatin and/or Diflucan. Some required Nystatin to be administered concurrently with any antibiotic therapy to avoid further yeast infection. Sensations of CNS swelling were reported, often linked with cognitive deficits. Some mentioned these worsened when sweets or other heavy carbohydrate meals were eaten, and some described easing of these symptoms with use of diuretics and/or higher protein diets.

Nystatin works in the gastrointestinal system to destroy yeast there. Diflucan works systemically, but what about the blood-brain barrier? This protective barrier prevents molecules from crossing over to the CNS. It is also a pesky obstacle to effective therapy of the CNS, as many medications can’t cross it. What if an immune response to fungi, possibly in biofilm, were a common instigating or perpetuating factor of central sensitization? Why would the Amphotericin B nasal spray used by Dr. Sheris and his team work better than Diflucan? Enter the last piece of the puzzle — I needed to try an experiment on my own.

Dr. Gunter Oberdšrster and his team have conducted a study to see if an inhaled ultrafine particle could cross along the olfactory nerve into the olfactory bulb (Oberdšrster, Sharp, Atudorie, et al 2004). They found that a particle could move into the CNS from the nasopharyngeal area. The study is not yet published but is in press and is available on the web. It was done on ultrafine particulates, but it indicates to me that a nasal spray might have a better chance of reaching the CNS and any fungi within.

The puzzle, while by no means complete, gave me enough for action. I was still hesitant, because Amphotericin B is not a medication to be used lightly. I had no experience with it as a nasal spray. I called my compounding pharmacist, George Roentsch, at The Apothecary in Keene, NH. He told me that compounded Amphotericin B nasal spray was generally used at 20 mcg/ml, required refrigeration and had a short shelf life, but his experience was that the spray used 5 times a day in each nostril for two weeks was sufficient to bring relief of symptoms without side effects. I spoke with my primary care physician and my allergist as well as my local myofascial trigger point doctor. With my history of severe FMS and CMP, plus Metabolic Syndrome, sleep apnea, a long history of mold and yeast allergies, immune therapy for multiple fungi, and frequent interstitial swelling, they agreed that I seemed like a good candidate for this therapy. I had other allergies and knew that this would do nothing for them, but I hoped that any CNS mold component and associated immune response might be brought under control.

I first went on a course of Diflucan therapy, with no change in symptoms. After allowing my body recovery time from the Diflucan, I went on the Ampho B nasal spray for 2 weeks. The deep congestion that I hadn’t been able to relieve since they took PPA (original Contac formula) off the market went away. The fluids in my body tissues are rearranging themselves. The TrPs are becoming more available to treatment, although I noted a phenomenon that others have reported.

As the central sensitization lessened, the TrP symptoms became more noticeable. The increase in myofascial pain was considerable at first, but I have TrPs in almost every layer of every muscle. My myofascia is unwinding, satellite and secondary TrPs are being eliminated, and bones are shifting back into a more normal position. This is not a comfortable process, but it is a necessary one to resume a higher standard of health. My pain level is down with less medication. I believe that one perpetuating factor in my life has been found and brought under control, at least somewhat. I have multiple allergies and the symptoms were further aggravating several of my medical conditions. After further research, I decided to go for retesting and resumed allergy shots.”

My blood levels are regularly monitored by Dr. Lynne August at Health Equations. We had been unable to get the cholesterol and triglycerides down with diet alone, and my health team agreed that the cholesterol could well be protecting me from something and I did not wish to return to cholesterol medications. After the Ampho B nasal spray therapy, my triglycerides dropped from 261 to 155, my cholesterol dropped from 350 to 287, my cholesterol/HDL ratio normalized, and the toxin load dropped. This is only one test, but the only thing that changed was the nasal spray therapy. Time and later blood testing will tell if the Metabolic Syndrome can be taken off my co-existing conditions (and perpetuating factors). This is all very recent, and I don’t know where my health level will stabilize. I know that there are other hidden perpetuating factors. The good thing about that is when a perpetuating factor is found, something can often be done. It just takes a little detective work and the right pieces of the puzzle.

This therapy is not a cure for FMS or CMP. Chronic sinusitis caused by an immune reaction to fungi may be part of the central sensitization process in some cases of FMS. It may be a perpetuating factor in CMP. We still don’t know how safe this therapy is.

This is all very new. It will take time and money for researchers to provide these answers. If patients have an indicative history, such as frequent yeast infections, reactive hypoglycemia or insulin resistance, mold sensitivity, resistant congestion and post nasal drip, I believe that this is a therapy that is worth considering.

Update October 2010: Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.06% (Atrovent) is a prescription nasal spray that is anticholinergic. Trigger points can cause congestion and runny nose, and they are associated with excess acetylcholine at the motor end plate. This spray comes in a 15 ml spray bottle, and may be very helpful for these symptoms when TrPs are involved. Start carefully, with one spray one day, and check for any side effects.

Update: Current information indicates that intestinal permeability and insulin resistance are often some of the causes contributing to chronic illness. (Textbook of Functional Medicine, Jones DS, Quinn S, editors, 2005-6; see “functional medicine.org” on the web). More about this on a handout “Healing Dysfunctional Gut” on this website. In many cases, excess mucus production contributing to post nasal drip may be the body’s attempt to protect against gastric reflux (GERD). Many cases of GERD may be silent, without obvious heartburn symptoms but causing excess mucus, chronic cough, and dysruptive sleep. If you have unrestorative sleep, GERD, silent or active, may be part of this, and a sleep study that includes gastric monitoring may be what you need. Talk to your doctor about this possibility.

References

Baraniuk JN. 2001. Neurogenic mechanisms in rhinosinusitis. Curr Allergy
Asthma Rep 1(3):252-261.

Cleveland CH Jr, Fisher RH, Brestel EP et al. 1992. Chronic rhinitis: an underrecognized
association with fibromyalgia. Allergy Proc 13(5):263-267.

Costerton JW. 1998. Biofilms…A Growing Problem. Seminar: Center for Biofilm
Engineering. Maunco Seminars. [www.maunco.com/seminars/transcripts/
biofilms.htm]

DeLeo JA, Tanga FY, Tawfik VL. 2004. Neuroimmune activation and neuroinflammation
in chronic pain and opioid tolerance/hyperalgesia. Neuroscientist
10(1):40-52.

Donlan RM, Costerton JW. 2002. Biofilms: Survival Mechanisms of Clinically
Relevant Microorganisms. Clin Microbio Rev Apr p. 167-193. Funt LA. 1988. The pain doctors: the evolution of pain practice. Interview by Drs. John Herald and Michael P. Pecenka. Dent Manage 28(9):60-64, 66.

Hall-Stoodley L, Keevil CW, Lappin-Scott HM. 1999. Mycobacterium fortuitum and
mycobacterium chelonae biofilm formation under high and low nutrient conditions. J
Appl Microbiol Symposium Suppl. 85:60S-69S.

Oberdšrster G, Sharp Z, Atudorei V et al 2004. Translocation of inhaled ultrafine
particles to the brain. Inhalation Toxicol (in press).

Simons DG , Travell JG, Simons LS. “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point
Manual”, vol I, edition 2. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins;1999.

Starlanyl DJ and Copeland ME. 2001. Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual edition 2. Oakland CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Staud R. 2004. Fibromyalgia pain: do we know the source? Curr Opin Rheumatol
16(2):157-63.

“You can detect everything from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies just by examining the feet,” says Jane Andersen, DPM, president of the American Association of Women Podiatrists and a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The lowly left and right provide plenty of insightful data: Together they contain a quarter of the body’s bones, and each foot also has 33 joints; 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments; and countless nerves and blood vessels that link all the way to the heart, spine, and brain.

Unresolved foot problems can have unexpected consequences. Untreated pain often leads a person to move less and gain weight, for example, or to shift balance in unnatural ways, increasing the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

So when the feet send one of these 18 warning messages, they mean business.

1. Red flag: Toenails with slightly sunken, spoon-shaped indentations

What it means: Anemia (iron deficiency) often shows up as an unnatural, concave or spoonlike shape to the toes’ nail beds, especially in moderate-to-severe cases. It’s caused by not having enough hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in the blood cells that transports oxygen. Internal bleeding (such as an ulcer) or heavy menstrual periods can trigger anemia.

More clues: On fingers as well as toes, the skin and nail beds both appear pale. The nails may also be brittle, and feet may feel cold. Fatigue is the number-one sign of anemia, as are shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and headache.

What to do: A complete blood count is usually used to diagnose anemia. A physical exam may pinpoint a cause. First-step treatments include iron supplements and dietary changes to add iron and vitamin C (which speeds iron absorption).

2. Red flag: Hairless feet or toes

What it means: Poor circulation, usually caused by vascular disease, can make hair disappear from the feet. When the heart loses the ability to pump enough blood to the extremities because of arteriosclerosis (commonly known as hardening of the arteries), the body has to prioritize its use. Hairy toes are, well, low on the totem pole.

More clues: The reduced blood supply also makes it hard to feel a pulse in the feet. (Check the top of the foot or the inside of the ankle.) When you stand, your feet may be bright red or dusky; when elevated, they immediately pale. The skin is shiny. People with poor circulation tend to already know they have a cardiovascular condition (such as heart disease or a carotid artery) yet may not realize they have circulation trouble.

What to do: Treating the underlying vascular issues can improve circulation. Toe hair seldom returns, but nobody complains much.

3. Red flag: Frequent foot cramping (charley horses)

What it means: The sudden stab of a foot cramp — basically, the hard contraction of a muscle — can be triggered by fleeting circumstances such as exercise or dehydration. But if it happens often, your diet may lack sufficient calcium, potassium, or magnesium. Pregnant women in the third trimester are especially vulnerable thanks to increased blood volume and reduced circulation to the feet.

More clues: Charley horses tend to rear up out of nowhere, often while you’re just lying there. They can be a single sharp muscle spasm or come in waves. Either way, soreness can linger long afterward.

What to do: Try to flex the foot and massage the painful area. You may also be able to relax the muscle by applying a cold pack or rubbing alcohol. To prevent cramps, stretch your feet before you go to bed. Then drink a glass of warm milk (for the calcium).

4. Red flag: A sore that won’t heal on the bottom of the foot

What it means: This is a major clue to diabetes. Elevated blood glucose levels lead to nerve damage in the feet — which means that minor scrapes, cuts, or irritations caused by pressure or friction often go unnoticed, especially by someone who’s unaware he has the disease. Untreated, these ulcers can lead to infection, even amputation.

More clues: Oozing, foul-smelling cuts are especially suspect because they’ve probably been there awhile. Other symptoms of diabetes include persistent thirst, frequent urination, increased fatigue, blurry vision, extreme hunger, and weight loss.

What to do: Get the ulcer treated immediately and see a doctor for a diabetes evaluation. Diabetics need to inspect their feet daily (older people or the obese should have someone do this for them) and see a healthcare professional every three months.

5. Red flag: Cold feet

What it means: Women, especially, report cold feet (or more precisely, their bedmates complain about them). It may be nothing — or it may indicate a thyroid issue. Women over 40 who have cold feet often have an underfunctioning thyroid, the gland that regulates temperature and metabolism. Poor circulation (in either gender) is another possible cause.

More clues: Hypothyroidism’s symptoms are pretty subtle and appear in many disorders (fatigue, depression, weight gain, dry skin).

What to do: Insulating layers of natural materials work best for warmth. (Think wool socks and lined boots). If you also have other nagging health complaints, mention the cold feet to your doctor. Unfortunately, however, aside from treatment with medication in the event of a thyroid condition, this tends to be a symptom that’s neither easily nor sexily resolved.

6. Red flag: Thick, yellow, downright ugly toenails

What it means: A fungal infection is running rampant below the surface of the nail. Onychomycosis can persist painlessly for years. By the time it’s visibly unattractive, the infection is advanced and can spread to all toenails and even fingernails.

More clues: The nails may also smell bad and turn dark. People most vulnerable: those with diabetes, circulatory trouble, or immune-deficiency disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis). If an older person has trouble walking, sometimes the problem can be traced to the simple fact that as infected nails grow thicker, they’re harder to cut and simply go ignored to the point of pain.

What to do: See a foot specialist or your regular physician for care and treatment. In serious cases, over-the-counter antifungals are usually not as effective as a combination of topical and oral medications and the professional removal of diseased bits. Newer-generation oral antifungal medications tend to have fewer side effects than older ones.

7. Red flag: A suddenly enlarged, scary-looking big toe

What it means: Probably gout. Yes, that old-fashioned-sounding disease is still very much around — and you don’t have to be over 65 to get it. Gout is a form of arthritis (also called “gouty arthritis”) that’s usually caused by too much uric acid, a natural substance. The built-up uric acid forms needlelike crystals, especially at low body temperatures. And the coolest part of the body, farthest from the heart, happens to be the big toe.

“Three-fourths of the time, you wake up with a red-hot swollen toe joint as the first presentation of gout,” says podiatrist Andersen.

More clues: Swelling and shiny red or purplish skin — along with a sensation of heat and pain — can also occur in the instep, the Achilles tendon, the knees, and the elbows. Anyone can develop gout, though men in their 40s and 50s are especially prone. Women with gout tend to be postmenopausal.

What to do: See a doctor about controlling the causes of gout through diet or medication. A foot specialist can help relieve pain and preserve function.

8. Red flag: Numbness in both feet

What it means: Being unable to “feel” your feet or having a heavy pins-and-needles sensation is a hallmark of peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the peripheral nervous system. That’s the body’s way of transmitting information from the brain and spinal cord to the entire rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy has many causes, but the top two are diabetes and alcohol abuse (current or past). Chemotherapy is another common cause.

More clues: The tingling or burning can also appear in hands and may gradually spread up to arms and legs. The reduced sensation may make it feel like you’re constantly wearing heavy socks or gloves.

What to do: See a physician to try to pinpoint the cause (especially if alcohol addiction doesn’t apply). There’s no cure for peripheral neuropathy, but medications from pain relievers to antidepressants can treat symptoms.

9. Red flag: Sore toe joints

What it means: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a degenerative joint disease, is often first felt in the smaller joints, such as the toes and the knuckles of the hands.

More clues: Swelling and stiffness usually accompany the aches. This pain tends to be symmetrical; for example, it happens simultaneously in both big toes or in both index fingers. RA develops more suddenly than degenerative arthritis, and attacks may come and go. Women are almost four times more affected than men.

What to do: A full workup is always needed to pinpoint the cause of any joint pain. For RA, there are many medications and therapies that can minimize pain and preserve function, though early diagnosis is important to avoid permanent deformity. (In the feet, the toes can drift to the side.)

10. Red flag: Pitted toenails

What it means: In up to half of all people with psoriasis, the skin disease also shows up in the nail as many little holes, which can be deep or shallow. More than three-fourths of those with psoriatic arthritis, a related disorder that affects the joints as well as the skin, also have pocked, pitted nails.

More clues: The nails (fingers as well as toes) will also thicken. They may be yellow-brown or have salmon-colored patches. The knuckle nearest the nail is also likely to be dry, red, and inflamed.

What to do: A variety of medications can treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and can restore the nail bed surface in many cases, especially if treatment begins early.

11. Red flag: Being unable to raise the foot upward from the heel

What it means: “Foot drop” (also “drop foot”) signals nerve or muscle damage that can originate well north of your feet — as far as your back or even shoulder or neck. Certain chemotherapy drugs can also cause trouble lifting the front part of the foot while walking or standing.

More clues: There may be pain and numbness as well, though not necessarily. Sometimes the pain is felt in the upper leg or lower spine, where a nerve is pinched (by damage or a tumor). In some cases, the foot drags when the person walks. It’s rare for both feet to be affected.

What to do: Report this serious symptom to your doctor. Foot drop can be completely reversible or permanent, depending on its cause and treatment.

12. Red flag: Dry, flaky skin

What it means: Even if your face or hands tend to be powdery-dry, don’t dismiss this skin condition on your feet. You don’t have to be a jock to contract athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that usually starts as dry, itchy skin that then progresses to inflammation and blisters. When blisters break, the infection spreads.

(The name comes from the moist places the fungus thrives — places athletes tend to congregate, such as locker rooms and pools.)

More clues: Athlete’s foot usually shows up between the toes first. It can spread to the soles and even to other parts of the body (like the underarms or groin), usually due to scratching.

What to do: Mild cases can be self-treated by bathing the feet often and drying them thoroughly. Then keep the feet dry, including using foot powder in shoes and socks. If there’s no improvement in two weeks or the infection worsens, a doctor can prescribe topical or oral antifungal medication.

13. Red flag: Toes that turn patriotic colors

What it means: In cold weather, Raynaud’s disease (or Raynaud’s phenomenon) causes the extremities to first go white, then turn blue, and finally appear red before returning to a natural hue. For reasons not well understood, the blood vessels in these areas vasospasm, or overreact, causing the tricolor show.

More clues: Other commonly affected areas include the fingers, nose, lips, and ear lobes. They also feel cool to the touch and go numb. Women and those who live in colder climates get Raynaud’s more often. It typically shows up before age 25 or after 40. Stress can trigger Raynaud’s attacks, too.

What to do: See a doctor about medications that can widen blood vessels, which reduces the severity of attacks.

14. Red flag: Feet that are really painful to walk on

What it means: Undiagnosed stress fractures are a common cause of foot pain. The discomfort can be felt along the sides of the feet, in the soles, or “all over.” These fractures — they often occur repeatedly — may be caused by another underlying problem, often osteopenia (a decrease in optimum bone density, especially in women over age 50) or some kind of malnutrition, including a vitamin D deficiency, a problem absorbing calcium, or anorexia.

More clues: Often you can still walk on the broken bones; it just hurts like heck. (Some hardy people have gone undiagnosed for as long as a year.)

What to do: See a foot doctor about any pain. If, for example, you’ve been walking around Europe for three weeks in bad shoes, your feet may simply be sore. But a 55-year-old sedentary woman with painful feet may need a bone-density exam. An X-ray can also reveal possible nutritional issues that warrant a referral to a primary care provider.

15. Red flag: Toes that bump upward at the tips

What it means: When the very tips of the toes swell to the point where they lose their usual angle and appear to bump upward at the ends, it’s called “digital clubbing” or “Hippocratic clubbing” after Hippocrates, who described the phenomenon 2,000 years ago. It’s a common sign of serious pulmonary (lung) disease, including pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Heart disease and certain gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, are also associated with clubbing.

More clues: Fingers can be clubbed as well as toes. It can happen in just some digits, or in all.

What to do: Treatment depends on the underlying cause, so report this serious symptom to a doctor. (Physicians are also well trained to look for clubbed digits during exams.)

16. Red flag: Shooting pain in the heel

What it means: Plantar fasciitis — a fancy name for inflammation of a band of connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar) of the foot — is abnormal straining of the tissue beyond its normal extension.

More clues: The pain starts when you take your first steps in the morning and often intensifies as the day wears on. It’s usually concentrated in the heel (one or both) but can also be felt in the arch or in the back of the foot. Running and jumping a lot can cause it, but so can insufficient support. You’re at risk if you go barefoot a lot or wear old shoes or flimsy flip-flops, have gained weight, or walk a lot on hard surfaces.

What to do: If pain persists more than a few weeks or seems to worsen, have it evaluated by a podiatrist. Stick to low shoes with a strong supportive arch until you get further advice and treatment (which may include anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe inserts).

17. Red flag: “Phee-uuuuw!”

What it means: Though smelly feet (hyperhidrosis) tend to cause more alarm than most foot symptoms, odor — even downright stinkiness — is seldom a sign something’s physically amiss. (Whew!) Feet contain more sweat glands than any other body part — half a million between the two of them! And some people are more prone to sweat than others. Add in the casings of shoes and socks, and the normal bacteria that thrive in the body have a feast on the resulting moisture, creating the smell that makes wives and mothers weep. (Both sexes can have smelly feet, but men tend to sweat more.)

More clues: In this case, the one olfactory clue is plenty.

What to do: Wash with antibacterial soap and dry feet well. Rub cornstarch or antiperspirant onto soles. Toss used socks in the wash; always put on a fresh pair instead of reusing. Stick to natural materials (cotton socks, leather shoes) — they wick away moisture better than man-made materials. Open up laced shoes after you remove them so they get a chance to fully air out; don’t wear them again until they’re fully dry.

18. Red flag: Old shoes

What it means: Danger! You’re a walking health bomb if your everyday shoes are more than a couple of years old or if walking or running shoes have more than 350 to 500 miles on them. Old shoes lack the support feet need — and footgear wears out faster than most people think, foot specialists say.

More clues: Blisters (too tight), bunions (too narrow), heel pain (not enough support) — if you’re having any kind of foot trouble, there’s at least a 50-50 chance your shoddy or ill-fitting footwear is to blame.

Older people are especially vulnerable because they fall into the habit of wearing familiar old shoes that may lack support, flexibility, or good traction.

What to do: Go shoe shopping.

?

The U.S. Preventive Services, which made the recommendation Monday, reported finding evidence that the benefits of treatment based on routine screening of this age group “are small to none.” However, treatment often causes “moderate-to-substantial harms,” including erectile dysfunction and bladder control and bowel problems, the task force said.

The new guidance is the first update by the task force on prostate cancer screening since 2002. Its last report concluded there was insufficient evidence to recommend prostate screening for men of all ages.

In recent years, there has been a growing debate about the value of the somewhat imprecise PSA blood test to detect cancer, as well as the value of treating most prostate cancers. A positive result from the test must be confirmed by a biopsy. And even then, there is no foolproof method of identifying aggressive tumors from slow-growing ones. A number of experts contend patients are being over treated.

“The issue of screening for is frankly an area of medicine that remains somewhat unsettled,” said Dr. Durado Brooks, a prostate cancer specialist for the American Cancer Society. “While it’s clear there is benefit to a significant number of men, it’s equally clear that many men end up being diagnosed and treated for cancers that would likely not have caused them any significant harm.”

Most major U.S. medical groups recommend doctors discuss the potential benefits and known harms of prostate screening with their patients and make individual decisions. And most agree such testing shouldn’t occur before age 50.

The federal task force, which sets the nation’s primary care standards, reviewed past research in reaching its conclusion and “could not find adequate proof that early detection leads to fewer men dying of the disease,” task force chairman Dr. Ned Calonge of Denver said in a statement.

The cancer society’s advice for screening differs from the task force’s because it doesn’t set a fixed age to stop screening, Brooks said. It suggests that men shouldn’t be offered screening if they aren’t expected to live another 10 years.

“That’s because every 75-year-old is not created equal,” said Brooks.

While some have health problems and aren’t likely to live long, others are “very active, very vigorous and have minimal health issues, and many of those men are going to live into their late 80s or 90s,” Brooks said.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men — about 220,000 cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. But most tumors grow so slowly they never threaten lives.

Earlier this year, a study found that older men who already had early-stage prostate cancer were not taking a big risk by not treating it right away. The vast majority were alive 10 years later without significantly worrying symptoms or had died of other causes.

Prostate cancer treatments are tough, especially on older men. Some doctors instead recommend “watchful waiting” to monitor signs of the disease and treat only if they worsen, but smaller studies give conflicting views of the safety of that approach.

The new guidelines from the Preventive Services were published in this month’s Annals of Internal Medicine.

http://www.annals.org/content/vol149/issue3/

Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation – My Experience

Unlike most Health related sites, this site HealthSynergyRx is about my own personal experiences with a procedure or my own research into a procedure or “modality” that I thought might help me recover from a long term serious illness. After 11 physicians and a full year I finally found a Naturopathic Physician that works with many treatments the established USA Allopathic Medical community either ignores or is in a state of complete apathy towards. Many of these treatments the Allopathic community would label as “Alternative” have been with us for a century or more and have proven their effectiveness long before the big Pharmaceutical Companies and their governmental lobbyist pushed them aside. These treatment modalities have helped many individuals to completely recover from illness without the side effect of drug therapy or surgery.

Let me begin with my introduction to Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation. As noted I have been seeking help for an incompletely diagnosed condition. I will not describe my condition only to say it has many elements and symptoms from chronic infection and inflammation. While most standard blood work was returned normal my viral load and potential bacterial/fungal load is not off the charts but “high”. So I have been receiving IV Drip treatments of vitamins and various natural antibiotic agents. I do not know the exact agents so I can not report about them yet. As I recover perhaps I will learn more from the nurses and be able to share more with you.

The process was quite simple for my UVBI treatment. I was already hooked up to the Vitamin IV Drip and was taken into another room where a small electronic box with an ultraviolet tube and standard IV tubing was sitting on a small table. The nurse connected the tubing to my IV Drip and used a syringe to withdraw 60cc slowly through the box where the blood was irradiated. The blood was then slowly returned to my body by pushing it back through the syringe. The nurse then repeated this procedure. During this time I was talking and completely alert.

Upon completion of the procedure I suddenly felt faint (You would have thought that the sight of all my blood in the tube would have effected me, but it did not). My nervous system (which is beyond conscious control – I do not know exactly which nerves are involved only that I was told the “Vagas Nerve) just momentarily reacted. I started to sweat and felt light headed. I was told to place my head on the desk, relax and just breathe and the sensation would pass. I was given a small amount of orange juice to drink. I was also advised that it would be a good idea for me to eat before the next procedure. Unfortunately as a result of my condition I have little appetite.

10 minutes after the Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation procedure I was able to stand and walk back to the IV room and continue my drip. At this point I was extremely tired. I finished my IV drip and returned home. As of this writing (6 hours later) I am still very tired. I may be experiencing some “die off effect” as the toxins released by the dead viruses and bacteria are still in my body. I have been drinking all kinds of water and urinating frequently and hope to feel more energy tomorrow.

I was told everyone reacts a little differently to the ultraviolet blood irradiation based on there condition and their own body. I asked other patients in the IV Drip room their experiences and some did not get light headed at all. This procedure is easy, fast, and PROVEN effective in killing viruses and bacteria in the blood. Please read the next small section for a little background.

Ultraviolet light Irradiation Background Information

Ultraviolet light has been used as a disinfectant for many years and is, in fact, still used for that purpose. If the late 1900′s, Niels Ryberg Finsen used this knowledge for a new application and started using external ultraviolet treatment in skin and mucus membrane diseases, for which he was awarded a Nobel prize in 1903. By the mid-1930′s ultraviolet treatment was well-accepted for erysipelas and other skin infections, as well as mumps.

One of the first pioneers to use ultraviolet light on blood rather than externally was Emmett K. Knott, who irradiated the blood of his first human subject in 1928. The patient had a case of sepsis (bloodstream infection) following an abortion. She had been declared beyond help by the attending physicians, but responded dramatically to the irradiation, recovering and being able to bear other children.

Other researchers followed, showing the effectiveness of ultraviolet blood irradiation (UVBI) in treating both bacterial and viral infections. Hancock and Knott demonstrated that ultraviolet light could be used effectively in the treatment of bloodstream infections. By June of 1942,520 patients had been treated successfully with ultraviolet therapy without harmful effects.

Dr. George Miley was a clinical physician who practiced UVBI extensively in the 1930′s. His work demonstrated an increase of oxygen absorption by the blood following ultraviolet exposure. Dr.Miley also reported on 151 consecutive unselected cases of acute infection treated by UVBI. In those cases that were treated early, 100 percent of the patients recovered fully. In moderately advanced cases, 98 percent recovered; and even patients who were near death experienced a 42 percent recovery rate.

With such phenomenal success, why is UVBI almost unknown today? With the debut of antibiotic therapy, it’s ease of treatment and it’s success in treating infections, it became the treatment of choice, and UVBI fell by the wayside. However, with the advent o multiple drug-resistant infections and an increasing population who cannot tolerate drugs, this treatment has found a rebirth and is again showing it’s effectiveness.

Some of the proven effects of UVBI are:

• Inactivation of toxins and viruses
• Destruction and inhibition of growth of bacteria
• Enhancement of the immune system’s ability to fight infections
• Increase in oxygenation of the blood
• Activation of steroids.
• Increased cell permeability
• Activation of cortisone-like molecules, called sterols, into Vitamin D

Other effects and much more information are listed in the book Into the Light by William Campbell Douglas, M.D., available at our office.

Individuals vary in their sensitivities to UVBI. Sensitivities may be modified by certain drugs such as sulfanilamide. Over-dosage with ultraviolet light produces depression, lessened resistance to bacterial infections, and reduced bacteria-killing potency of the blood with a fall in hemoglobin. The level of exposure required for an overdose is not approached in proper clinical practice.

The method of UVBI used in our office involves withdrawing the patient’s blood into a tube (treated with heparin to prevent clotting), passing it into a crystal tube as it is drawn past the ultraviolet light and drawn into a 60cc syringe. Then it is slowly pushed back into the body. This passes the blood through the ultraviolet light twice–coming out and going in. This process is generally done twice, to irradiate approximately 120 cc of the blood. The irradiated blood can then emanate secondary irradiation to the rest of the blood.

We frequently combine this therapy with IV hydrogen peroxide therapy, as each therapy enhances the effect of the other.

Possible uses for UVBI could include colds, viral syndromes, influenza, acute and chronic sinusitis, acute and chronic bronchitis, emphysema, other acute or chronic infections, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. With the theory that rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are caused by toxic reactions to chronic bacterial infections, we are anxious to try this therapy on these frustrating diseases, as UVBI is effective against both bacteria and toxins. This treatment is experimental in many other diseases, and it’s use can be discussed with your physician.

With an acute infection such as a cold or the beginning of the flu, generally one treatment is adequate for a reduction of toxic symptoms in 12 to 48 hours. Serious or chronic bacterial or viral infections may require more treatment, as recommended by the physician.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia generally show improvement with about ten treatments, with two treatments a week for the first week or two, then weekly thereafter.

Characteristics of Ultraviolet

Physical:

• Ultra-violet has a chemical and bacteriocidal action on the blood and tissues of the body. It breaks down the bacterial toxins and helps the white blood cells in their phagocytic action.

• Ultra-violet’s chemical reaction depends upon its vitamin reaction in the system. Vitamins A, B, C, D and E are affected by the ultra-violet light.

• Ultra-violet plays a great part in the calcium phosphorus balance and in iron and iodine fixation.

• Ultra-violet accelerates the lymphatic and circulatory activities.

• Ultra-violet normalizes all metabolism and glandular activities.

• Ultra-violet stimulates antibody production and immunizes the body against disease.

• Ultra-violet has a stimulating action on the Sympathetic System. It, however, acts as a sedative to pain.

• Ultra-violet is good for the heart and the lungs.

Source: healthychristianliving.com

I’ve had chronic sinusitis for years. I am currently investigating dietary changes that eliminate fugus organisms from the body. Changes to strengthen the immune system. It’s all very hard because of my chronic neck problems – herniations and degenerative disc disease. As I recover (if I recover) I’ll post the results of my dietary experiences. It’s tough to batter one chronic condition let along two.

What is Sinus Disease by Dr. Grossan

Please see source notes at the end of this article. Dr. Grossan is Board Certified in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Sinus problems are most on the minds of my patients these days. No wonder! In Los Angeles we have smog and pollution which adds to symptoms when a person has allergies too!

Today we know that most sinus disease is caused when the cilia – the very tiny “hairs” in the nose and chest stop beating. These wonderful machines act like oars, moving 16 strokes each second to propel bacteria, dirt, and cancer causing poisons out of the nose and chest, before they have a chance to enter the body. Many cancers form where there are few cilia, emphasizing their importance. The treatment of choice for sinus disease is to have the body return the cilia to their normal function, beating 16 times per second.

Know what the BEST treatment is for early morning sneezing? If you start sneezing on awakening, it is because the nose is trying to get rid of the particles that accumulated there at night. If the nasal cilia are working properly, they beat at 16 beats a second and get rid of these particles and then you don’t need the sneezing. The best treatment in breakfast in bed! You see, by drinking hot tea before you get out of bed, the body gets warmed up, the cilia speed up and the sneezing, hacking is avoided.

In the nose and chest are millions of tiny “oars” or cilia. They act in coordination to move out the dust and bacteria from the nose to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed and disposed of in the stomach. In the chest, the cilia beat to move the germs and dust out of the chest, up the windpipe to the throat where it is swallowed. When this system works you don’t get sinus disease. When the system fails in the chest you get a cough, the cough takes over to get rid of the dirt and germs in the bronchial passages.

Protection from infection is achieved by the presence of lysozymes, immunoglobulins and phagocytes in the mucus solution. Movement of the bacteria by mucus flow reduces opportunity for penetration of the cell. Dilution of bacterial products makes them less toxic. Mast cells and globulins are carried in the mucous layer. If the cilia don’t move the blanket, then the cells and defense can’t be delivered where they are needed.

Thus, the mucociliary defense system consists of cells that transport mucous and cells that secrete mucous. Both are essential to health.

Remarkably, the ciliary movement is coordinated so that an effective wave propels the mucus in a specific direction.

Sinus cilia beat toward the natural sinus opening. Nasal cilia beat backward . Nasal mucus propels into the nasopharynx and is swallowed for disposal into the stomach. In the child this course directs the mucus with its bacteria, debris and foreign matter over the adenoids where lymphocytic defenses can act. The deep crypts and rugae of the adenoids create a larger surface area for greater effect in order to defend the body

With a virus infection, the cilia are slowed down by the virus chemicals. This allows bacteria that normally would be swept away by the cilia to enter the body. Therefore, anything you can do to encourage good cilia movement is helpful. Hot chicken soup works! Hot tea is good. Compresses to the sinus/nasal area helps. Enhanced Nasal/Saline Moisturizers, formulas based on the Locke-Ringer’s formula, have been shown to aid cilia better than regular saline. (See article by Boek.) It has an advantage over saline in that there are no preservatives such as benzalkonium and the mixture is buffered to avoid any burning sensation. The refillable spray bottle it comes with can be used for spray, drops or to irrigate or wash. Without the burning, this solution can be used regularly by kids.

When you feel a sinus infection coming on, rest, hot soup and tea, hot compresses applied to the sinus area: above the eyes for the frontal sinuses, between the eyes for the ethmoid sinuses, and below the eyes for the maxillary sinuses.

If this is not effective, pulsatile nasa/sinus irrigation can be used to restore nasal cilia, remove nasal pus, and thin the secretions. With a proper pulsatile irrigatin device, the irrigation pressure is adjusted to just the right value of 5 PSI – the water stream is about an inch high. The saline, or better yet, enhanced moisturizing solutinon, goes in one side of the nose and out the other. This is a natural way of healing the sinus condition. Even children as young as 5 years find this a pleasant treatment.

Some people get symptoms after exposure to downtown smog or dust at work. I advise them to use this irrigator much like washing the hands to remove dirt. By irrigating in this manner, the nose doesn’t have to do the work. I find it especially useful for Firefighters to use after the smoke of a fire.

Cilia are generally activated by increasing temperature up to 40 C, so hot compresses over the sinus area are beneficial. However above 40 C cilia are inactivated and hence the deleterious effects of hot steam nasal inhalation. Long term dry steam inhalation, (sauna), is suspected of being harmful.

For people with serious sinus disease, pulsatile irigation has proven extremely useful . For example, patients with Cystic Fibrosis have very poor ciliary action and so develop serious sinus disease. The pulsating saline irrigator can remove the pus and act like a normal cilia.

A good medication for nasal congestion is Sudafed Long Acting, 120 milligrams every 12 hours.

For more information on Sinus disease please visit Dr. Grossan’s website where this information was sourced. If you are in the Los Angeles Area his contact information is:

Board Certified: American Board Of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers
8631 W Third St. Suite 440 East
Los Angeles, Ca. 90048
Phone (310) 659-1006 Fax (310) 652-9906

Dr. Grossan’s site is a fabulous resource. As a Chronic Sinusitis sufferer I am trying everything I can to break the cycle and get my sinusis functioning like there used too. I’ve tried the Nasal Steroids and the Anti-histimines. These are stop-gaps to treat symptoms not cure the problem. I have other health problems which lend me to believe that they are intertwined with my sinuses and once the sinus problems are cured like a domino effect my overall health will improve. Definitely check out Dr. Grossan’s Nasal Irrigation device. It’s like a Waterpik for the nose (Waterpik actually makes a Nasal Irrigation Device – I know I bought it!). It’s the best way to rinse out your sinus cavities. I’ve tried nasal sprays and drops and they only moisten my nose but they don’t rinse everything out. The Waterpik attachment actually works very well with prepackaged Saline Packets.

Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis

Acute Sinusitis lasts less than 6 months, Chronic Sinusitis is inflammation of the Sinus Cavities (as few as one as many as all four sets) for more than 6 months.

What Causes Sinusitis and How Do You Get Rid of it?

Genetics and exposure to a Viral, Bacterial, or Fungal disease that your immune system can not fight off causing the Sinuses to become inf lammed.

What is the difference between Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Sinusitis

Bacteria respond to anti-biotics, and viruses do not. Bacteria look like cells under a microscope while viruses look like crystals with many surface edges. That’s simplistic but if you have had the chance to look at them under an electronic scanning microscope (Most universities have these, and I was a Zoology Major so I had the opportunity to look at these types of diseases) you can clearly see the differences. Fungus are organisms that are nucleated, achlorophyllous, typically reproduce sexually and asexually by spores, and whose somatic structure is composed of filamentous branched or yeast, which are surrounded by cells walls composed of chitin.

How is Sinusitis Treated

Usually Sinusitis is treated with anti-biotics and rest and then the hope that your own body will fix the problem. If the Sinusitis is not caused by bacterial infection the anti-biotics are useless, but many ENT’s don’t take time to culture and just prescribe away!

Unfortunately surgery usually isn’t very effective. And CT Scans are the “Gold Standard” as an analysis tool and subject you to large doses of ionizing radiation (Usually a bad idea). Supposedly you can fix the problem with a very specific diet that starves the fungus from the foods it needs to survive, while still providing your own body and immune system the nutrients it needs to flourish disease free.

Often the treatments the Doctors will prescribe simply do not work! Try Dr. Grossan’s device, improve your diet, and hope for the best! I wish I knew a better answer.

Geobiology explores the relationship between life and the Earth’s physical and chemical environment. The term was adopted many years ago by some German dowsers, ‘geobiologists’ who specialized in surveying houses for both geopathic and electromagnetic stress using both dowsing and scientific instruments.

This is a fascinating field of study.

You can learn more about…

• Geopathic Stress
• Electromagnetic Stress
• Geobiology

Candida Infection- More than a simple Yeast Infection

Candida Albicansis the name of the yeast. Candida Infection – yeast infection, is both digestive and systemic; a health problem for which definitive answers to its elimination are far and few between. Literally millions of men and women have a potential yeast infection that is causing, directly or indirectly, a significant number of health problems or conditions.

Candida Albicans is a destructive yeast infection that begins in the digestive system and little by little spreads to other parts of the body. Candida is present in all of us not long after birth. Typically, this yeast remain in a healthful balance with the other bacteria and yeasts within the intestinal tract. Under certain conditions, such as excessive stress, lowered immunity or the long-term use of steroids, the candida yeast can multiply, thus disrupting the gastrointestinal “terrain”. Candida overgrowth may also be a consequence of antibiotic treatment, as antibiotics not only kill pathogens but also a large number of those bacteria that are part of a healthy gastrointestinal flora. With the depletion of the beneficial protective flora in the intestinal tract and a weakened immune response, this opportunistic yeast can then spread and multiply beyond the intestinal tract affecting every organ in the body.

Candida Symptoms

In babies, an overgrowth of Candida appears as diaper rash. Candida infection can be found on the body as jock itch or athlete’s foot. Candida infection can appear in the mouth as thrush or in the vaginal tract, known by many women as a yeast infection. Systemic yeast is now being associated with a variety of conditions ranging from mental disorders, deranged immune system, food intolerance, gastric upsets, premenstrual tension, infertility, ovarian failure, sexual function difficulties and fatigue.

Candida can manifest with a multitude of symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, colitis, headaches, bad breath, mood swings, canker sores, muscle and joint pain, congestion, severe itching, PMS, fatigue, kidney or bladder infections to name a few. It is estimated that 30% of the population suffer from health issues directly related to yeast. In fact, the majority of people who have Candida do not realize they have it until become seriously ill.

If you think you might have candida, or would like to find out if you do, take this simple self-scoring Candida Questionnaire located at http://www.soulhealer.com/yeast.htm. If you score over 140 points on this test, you might want to follow the Recommendations for Wellness listed below to begin down the road of better health.

Treatment for Candida Albicans Infection

Avoid all yeast containing foods: Yeast breads, fermented beverages (beer, wine, brandy, scotch, etc.) moldy cheeses, fermented vinegars, salad dressing, peanuts, biscuits, canned citrus fruit juices, cake mix, ice cream, all dried fruit, oranges, pickles, tomato sauce, sugars, yeast powder, processed and smoked meats, malt products, barbecue sauce, olives, mayonnaise, chili peppers.

Avoid all refined carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, hidden sugars such as those found in soft drinks, pastries, canned fruits and vegetables.

Rotate between at least 3 different anti-fungal herbs every 4 days to kill the Candida yeast in the intestinal tract. These herbs can include Garlic, Caprylic Acid and Pau d’ Arco (Taheebo tea).

Supplement with Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidophilus daily. This helps to reintroduce the good bacteria back into the intestinal tract.

Take 1 tablespoon of Flax seed or olive oil daily to improve healing and prevent the fungus from destroying cells.

Incorporate Echinacea to help strengthen the immune system.

Multivitamin & mineral complex with vitamin A to provide all the nutrients needed for proper immune function and for repair of intestinal lining. Try to select a vitamin complex that includes zinc.

Treat any skin yeast or fungal infection with tea tree oil.

About The Author

© Copyright 2001 Body, Mind & SoulHealer, All Rights Reserved. (Editors Note: Republished intact with Permission.)

Dr. Rita Louise of Body, Mind & SoulHealer helps people rediscover their wholeness, working with individuals on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The author of the book entitled “The Power Within” and editor or the SoulHealer newsletter, Dr. Louise is a Naturopath, Medical Intuitive, Clairvoyant, Vibrational Healer, teacher and Lecturer. She can be reached by calling (972) 475-3393 or you can visit her web page at http://www.soulhealer.com

Books you may want to investigate on curing Candida Infections