Common conditions: Respiratory

Everyone has suffered from respiratory responses to airbourne substances even if the response is as mild as sneezing from dust.

Hayfever, a seasonal condition is a well known respiratory ailment triggered by pollen allergy.

However respiratory conditions such as chronic sinusitis are becoming increasingly common as the immune system becomes oversensitised from constantly contending with pollutants and chemicals in the environment.

SINUSITIS

Sinusitis affects the nasal passages and is characterised by nasal congestion with mucus discharge. Sometimes the sinuses may be red, swollen and painful. Often headaches occur.

Common predisposing factors for sinusitis are hayfever, acute or chronic infections including dental infections and allergies which can be both airbourne and food related.

NUTRITIONAL ADVICE

• The most common cause of food related sinusitis is an allergy or intolerance to milk and other dairy products. Some people find that if they switch to soy milk as an alternative this can also cause mucus congestion. Try eliminating all cows milk products for 2 weeks. Use rice or oat milk as an alternative. When symptoms have subsided, check sensitivity to soy by trying a small amount of soy milk. Goats and sheeps milk products may be tolerated and can gradually be tried.
• Wheat is also a mucus forming grain. Eliminate wheat for 2 weeks. Use wheat-free alternatives such as rye, spelt, rice, buckwheat products.

SUPPLEMENTS

• Take 2-3 teaspoons of Manuka Honey on a daily basis. This helps fight infection that occurs in both acute and chronic sinus problems.
• Increase the immune system by drinking Echinacea tea
• Fenugreek tea helps to reduce mucus