Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Newsletter

Table of Contents:
1. From the Editors
2. Allergy, Sinusitis, and Asthma Articles
3. Sinusitis Experience - Allergies Worsen Asthma and Sinusitis
4. Feature - Make Halloween Treats Safe For Kids With Allergies

FROM THE EDITORS
One question we're often asked is if there are any natural treatments or cures for sinusitis and allergies. The answer to this seems to be both yes and no. First, there are very few to no studies that confirm natural remedies for sinusitis sufferers. That's why it's hard to come right out and say "such and such" is effective against sinusitis. People's experiences may vary.

A Mayo Clinic specialist recently tackled a "natural treatment" question from a reader in regards to Oil of Oregano. Mayo Clinic staff member, Dr. James Li, responded, "Oil of oregano has received a great deal of attention, with proponents claiming it can treat a variety of illnesses, including sinus disorders." Li continued, stating that Oil of Oregano has antibacterial and antifungal properties that could help bacterial or fungi sinus infections. But there have yet to be any studies to confirm this as a sinusitis "treatment".

When it comes to allergies, one reader (Linda from Valencia) points out her experience to us playing off the popular natural claim that local Bee's pollen (must be local) is effective against battling allergies:

"I have really enjoyed having this site as a resource. I live in Southern California with many plants non-native to our area everywhere. At a very reputable garden center today one of the employess who has a degree in horticulture and was very knowledgeable in pollens suggested local honey for pollen affected allergies. She said the honey from bees native to the area you reside in help to build up the antibodies of the very pollens you are allergic to. It makes sense, and it sounds similar to immunotherapy."

If anyone has had experience with local bee pollen or honey in attempting to battle allergies, please let us know by sharing your experience.

Each one of us would love a quick natural cure to our sinusitis, allergy, or asthma problems. Right now the best advice has always been "consult with a physician". Keep in mind that there are different types of physicians, some using modern drugs for treatment and some specializing in more natural treatments. If one specialst's treatment doesn't work for you, then you may want to consider another. Most important, be sure to share your experiences with other readers by emailing your experience to us via asa@newsdial.com. Thanks!

Wishing you clear breathing,

Joe Tracy & Kim Lance - editors
ASA Newsletter

Sinusitis Symptoms Differ With Age
Rhinosinusitis, more commonly known as sinusitis, is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the United States. Despite the overwhelmingly large number of people affected by sinusitis, the cause and exact definition of chronic sinusitis is still being debated. Both allergic and non-allergic substances may trigger inflammation of the sinuses and the overall incidence of allergy and asthma is known to be highest in children and adolescence but decline substantially after age 35. New research examines the link between age and sinus disease symptoms...
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Chicago is Named Top City for 2005 Fall Allergies
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has once again released their annual Fall Allergy Capital rankings to bring awareness to Americans that seasonal allergies in the fall can cause problems for millions in cities all across the country. According to the rankings, Chicago, IL ranks as the #1 Fall Allergy Capital this year...
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Researchers Identify Gene Related to Asthma Severity
Yale School of Medicine researchers identified a gene prevalent in the population that controls the clinical severity of asthma, according to their recent report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Richard Bucala, M.D., professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and senior author of the study, said that once you have asthma, there are genes that are going to control its severity and how bad the asthma attacks and symptoms are...
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Surgery Increases Quality of Life For Child With Chronic Sinusitis
A child is diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, or sinusitis, when symptoms including nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, facial pain, halitosis, and headaches last longer than three months. If rhinosinusitis goes untreated in children it can lead to more severe complications such as loss of the sense of smell, sepsis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, abscess of the eye or brain, and meningitis. Chronic rhinosinusitis can also have adverse effects on a child's emotional and behavioral well-being by leading to loss of school days, reduced participation in activities, and poor socialization... This report confirms that caregivers report an improvement in quality of life in their children following surgery for rhinosinusitis...
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SINUSITIS EXPERIENCE - Allergies Worsen Asthma and Sinusitis
" ...Wow, have I had some memorable experiences from sinusitis! I have had allergies and asthma since I was a kid. I have gone through years of shots and am always under the care of an allergist and ENT. I have been suffering chronically with sinusitis since 1989 and have had 3 surgeries..."
Click here to read the entire experience.

FEATURE - Make Your Halloween Treats Safe for Kids With Allergies
The end of this month will bring kids in an assortment of fun and freaky costumes to your door for sweets and treats, but for the 1-in-25 American kids with food allergies, trick-or-treating can be something of a concern. Most Halloween treats don't have ingredient labels even though reading ingredient labels is vital to avoiding a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Neighbors that plan to hand out candy and treats on Halloween can play a key role in adding to the safety of the evening for children with food allergies. According to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), there is a growing population of kids with food allergies, and neighbors can help these children in the following ways:

- Talk to your neighbors and learn about their children's food allergies.
- Hand out candies that have ingredient labels.
- Hand out Halloween-themed stickers, plastic spider rings, pencils, etc.
- Contribute to the Trick or Treat for Food Allergy Halloween Coin Collection Program.

For the third year in a row, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), is hosting a nationwide Trick or Treat for Food Allergy Halloween Coin Collection Program. The coin collection program is a fun and safe way for kids with food allergies to join in the Halloween fun. Instead of treats, children with food allergies will be collecting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters for education and research for a food allergy cure.

"Halloween is a day for kids to be imaginative, creative, and just have fun. For kids with food allergies, it can be a time where they can feel isolated from their friends and all the fun activities," said Anne Munoz-Furlong, Founder and CEO of FAAN. "Being a good neighbor may just require handing out a fun Halloween sticker to make a child feel special and included. FAAN's Trick or Treat for Food Allergy Halloween Coin Collection Program is another way of showing support."

Specially-designed Halloween coin collection boxes were sent to participants in mid-September. Others interested in participating should contact FAAN at (800) 929-4040. Kids who raise a certain level of funds will be awarded prizes. Incentives for participation include flashlight yo-yos, T-shirts, gym bags, and the grand prize of a new bicycle. Proceeds will go toward food allergy education and research.

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