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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / June 2005Question on histamines/effects
WHen my sinuses get severely congested, I can only clear them by "sucking" the secretions down, inhaling abruptly through the nose, making that awful and embarassing snort noise. At the same time that the congestion gets bad, and I am clearing (or attempting to clear) the sinuses almost constantly, my salivary glands seem to go into overdrive, and so I have to have a cup handy, because it is far too much to swallow it all. I understand that the sinus irritation releases histamines, which makes the sinuses secret mucous. But do histamines also stimulate the salivary glands? Perhaps the body trying to flush out foreing irritants from the mouth as well? Also, do histamines stimulate the nervous system, inhibiting sleep? What antihistamine or decongestant usually works best for people with a fungal sinusitis? > What antihistamine or decongestant usually works best for people >with a fungal sinusitis? Antihistamines and decongestants may not be the best options. Consider a nasal steroid spray - a much safer choice in my opinion. Are nasal steroid sprays prescription or OTC? I think Mayo clinic is in CHicago, it isn't financially possible to go there. Just going to Houston would be very difficult. As for antihistamines drying in place any infection....well, since so far no decongestant or antihistamine seems to relieve/dry out/clear my sinuses, even when taken at more than recommended dosage, its not an issue right now. The other angle I am trying to research is whether asthma, allergies, and sinus problems are significantly worse in urban areas where there is air pollution and smog. I am almost certain they are. If I don't have a fungal infection, then it could be I am reacting to some pollutant in the air. I would like to test for that by taking a vacation trip to Bora Bora for a couple of months ;-) But since the sinusitis is bad all day, every day, and doesn't seem to be related to the season, or get better as the quality of the air improves temporarily, it kind of points to an infection. >> What antihistamine or decongestant usually works best for people >>with a fungal sinusitis? > >Antihistamines and decongestants may not be the best options. > >Consider a nasal steroid spray - a much safer choice in my opinion. > Are nasal steroid sprays prescription or OTC? > I think Mayo clinic is in CHicago, it isn't financially possible to >go there. Just going to Houston would be very difficult. They are in Florida.Minnesota and Arizona. But they are certainly npt h >As for antihistamines drying in place any infection....well, since so >far no decongestant or antihistamine seems to relieve/dry out/clear my >sinuses, even when taken at more than recommended dosage, its not an >issue right now. No no no. I mean antihistamines tend to thicken and dry the mucus to the point that it *cannot* drain. It gets stuck right where it is, which is why you cannot clear it. Draining is how the sinuses clean themselves. The point is not that drying out the sinuses is good. The point is that it is bad. Drying out and clearing are not synonyms. They are opposites (in many cases). The antihistamines may be *causing* part of the problem. > The other angle I am trying to research is whether asthma, >allergies, and sinus problems are significantly worse in urban areas >where there is air pollution and smog. I am almost certain they are. Unfortunately pollution is high even in the mountains. It gets carried across the continent. But yes those ailments do tend to be worse in polluted areas. >If I don't have a fungal infection, then it could be I am reacting to >some pollutant in the air. I would like to test for that by taking a >vacation trip to Bora Bora for a couple of months ;-) A vacation trip is a good idea. Indoor polluion is just as likely to be a major factor. > But since the sinusitis is bad all day, every day, and doesn't seem >to be related to the season, or get better as the quality of the air >improves temporarily, it kind of points to an infection. I would not be positive of that. I though that for a long tiem myself until I finally got real improvement by improving indoor air (just increase ventilation from outside). On 6/18/05 7:31 PM, in article s5l9b1hu6r1emargvkfetec07g74e4u310@4ax.com, > But since the sinusitis is bad all day, every day, and doesn't seem > to be related to the season, or get better as the quality of the air > improves temporarily, it kind of points to an infection. There is a condition called vasomotor rhinitis. Not an allergy or fungal or bacterial infection. Suggest you read up on that. Astelin nasal spray is indicated for this, as are other products. I have allergies and get sinusitis often. This winter was a bad one fo me. I had to use Simply Saline rinses 2x a day and nasal spray of AYR (otc). This was prescribed by my MD last Fall. She will only give me a prescription if I am imflamed or infection. Nasacort. Hubbys MD prescribes nasal Med. Rhinacort daily 2x a day. No saline rinses at all. shirley On 6/20/05 2:49 AM, in article 3604-42B69117-866@storefull-3137.bay.webtv.net, "Shirley Thebaglady" <thebagladyshirleyann@webtv.net> wrote: > nasal spray of AYR I believe that has a preservative Benzalkonium which may irritate the nose. > WHen my sinuses get severely congested, I can only clear them by > "sucking" the secretions down, inhaling abruptly through the nose, [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > What antihistamine or decongestant usually works best for people > with a fungal sinusitis? Have you tried regular saline irrigation for at least 60 days? This might help clean out much of that phlegm. I agree with Don that you need to try a steroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex and see if you can get by with less antihistamines. AW That could be a large part of my problem...I just haven't stuck with anything long enough to see any good results. I had started taking Claritin again because my dentist was telling me that she had the same problem with sinus congestion & PND, and Claritin finally worked for her. I tried Clarinex for several weeks in 2000, and although it gives some people immediate relief, it had no more effect on my congestion than taking a sugar pill! She had to take CLaritin for *6 months* before she got over the congestion, and it was a full two months before she saw an improvement. I will try switching to Nasonex. The allergist back in 2000 had me try Nasonex,and two or three other nasal sprays... but they did nothing....but then again maybe I was too quick to give up on it? I have been taking a saline nasal spray called Ocean the past few days, it seems to sooth a little bit and help drain sinuses. ALso, I have found that sucking on ALtoids peppermint has a soothing effect on the sinuses, its very strong. Also, I need to know what the exact recipe is for the hydrogen peroxide/ kosher salt/ baking soda nasal irrigation....and try that also. Please send a link for that info. Thanks, Jim >> WHen my sinuses get severely congested, I can only clear them by >> "sucking" the secretions down, inhaling abruptly through the nose, [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >steroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex and see if you can get by with less >antihistamines. AW The link for the sinus flooding with peroxide, baking soda and kosher salt is: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-upsidedown > That could be a large part of my problem...I just haven't stuck > with anything long enough to see any good results. I had started [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > >steroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex and see if you can get by with less > >antihistamines. AW > That could be a large part of my problem...I just haven't stuck > with anything long enough to see any good results. I had started [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > peroxide/ kosher salt/ baking soda nasal irrigation....and try that > also. Please send a link for that info. Thanks, Jim > >Have you tried regular saline irrigation for at least 60 days? This might > >help clean out much of that phlegm. I agree with Don that you need to try a > >steroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex and see if you can get by with less > >antihistamines. AW I don't have fungal sinusitis. I do have chronic (sometimes acute) sinusitis along with severe allergies. It took me many months of experimenting with various allergy medicines and also beginning allergy shots again (for the 3rd time) plus doing saline irrigation twice daily every day to get my sinusitis under some degree of control. I use a Hydropulse for sinus irrigation. http://www.hydromedonline.com/ My personal saline mix is: What ended up working best for me was using no iodine sea salt that was clearly marked as being pure with no anti-caking agents or any other additives. Look for pure baking soda with no added ingredients and then I use distilled water. I use 6 teaspoons salt and 2 tsp. baking soda per gallon of water. This premixed gallon of saline lasts me for 4-5 days or about 8-10 full irrigations. Distilled water runs about .58 a gallon if you look around. Your mileage and salt/soda % may vary from mine. I needed something I could use to wash out my sinuses every day, so I don't do the hydrogen peroxide recipe. It took about 2 weeks of twice daily irrigation to start really washing all the gunk out. It took about 2 months daily irrigation until I could say I was free of sinus infection. I also use Flonase for a steroid spray 2X daily and Astelin for an antihistamine 2 X daily. best, AW > > Also, I need to know what the exact recipe is for the hydrogen > > peroxide/ kosher salt/ baking soda nasal irrigation....and try that [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > best, AW My account above neglects to mention that before my sinusitis improved I had seen my internist many times, an ENT who was also certified in treating allergy, an infectious disease specialist who did a CT scan of my sinuses and I saw the top sinusitis Dr at a large teaching hospital. All the Drs except the teaching specialist said I needed sinus surgery to correct various defects in my nose and sinuses but the teaching Dr said daily irrigation with the Hydropulse was what would help me stay more free from chronic sinus infections. AW |
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