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I just found the following in the Mercola newsletter. The comments at the end are from Dr. Mercola.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings September 1999
Study Implicates Fungus As Cause Of Chronic Sinusitis
Mayo Clinic researchers say they have found the cause of most chronic sinus infections -- an immune system response to fungus. They say this discovery opens the door to the first effective treatment for this problem, the most common chronic disease in the United States. An estimated 37 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic sinusitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the nose and sinus cavity. Its incidence has been increasing steadily over the last decade. Common symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches. Frequently, the chronic inflammation leads to polyps, small growths in the nasal passages that hinder breathing.
Fungus allergy was thought to be involved in less than 10 percent of cases. The new studies indicate that, in fact, fungus is likely the cause of nearly all of these problems. And it is not an allergic reaction, but an immune reaction. The disease process in sinus patients, in sensitive individuals, the body's immune system sends eosinophils to attack fungi and the eosinophils irritate the membranes in the nose. As long as fungi remain, so will the irritation.
Antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants are widely used to treat chronic sinusitis. In most cases, antibiotics are not effective for chronic sinusitis because they target bacteria, not fungi. The over-the-counter drugs may offer some relief of symptoms, but they have no effect on the inflammation. Thousands of kinds of single-cell fungi (molds and yeasts) are found everywhere in the world. Fungal spores (the reproductive part of the organism) become airborne like pollen. Some people develop allergies to fungi. The new evidence from the Mayo study suggests that many people also develop a different kind of immune system response.
Dr. Mercola COMMENT: I believe that another major tragedy in medicine, nearly as bad as the million gallbladders that are removed every year, are the tens of thousands of unnecessary sinus surgeries. That surgery rarely works, and I strongly discourage nearly everyone from having it done. I have had a fair amount of success in neutralizing patients for mold allergies in the treatment of their chronic sinus problems. For those that failed our PN program, we will be using our Applied Psycho Neurobiology (APN) and Total Body Modification programs for allergy neutralization. So the bottom line is, if you have a chronic sinus problem,
avoid the use of antibiotics, avoid any sinus surgery, and find a doctor who can treat you for mold sensitivities.
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
I had fungal surgery in May 1999. It was GREAT for me. I had suffered headaches everyday for two years.Right after I had the surgery I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
I always wondered if there was a connection. Maybe my immune system was down due to the fungus episode and triggered the fibromylgia.Oh well, now I'm fighting the fibro stuff. Bummer.
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
BUT, what is that treatment? Steroid sprays to control the inflammation? That's what they use to control inflammation in a lot of asthmatics (steroid inhalers). I have a LOT of allergies and what's so funny about it is they'll put you on one medicine for nasal symptoms, one for asthma, one for skin etc etc etc! If an allergy is an immune response, why can't they come up with ONE medication that stops the response, period? I don't understand that! My allergist said that overseas, they found a medicine that does this but we haven't even brought it here yet and may not ever do so.
In Reply to: The article says "this opens the door to treatment" posted by Kari on September 13, 1999 at 10:46:51:
I supplied the article abstract as received. Obviously Dr. Stoll would probably revise the recommended treatment section based on what he knows works.
My point in sharing this was to reinforce the "don't blindly use antibiotics for sinus infections" that Walt has been saying here for years and to suggest another possible "cause/mechanism" of sinus infections. And, of course, for discussion purposes.
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
Hi, RocketHealer Jim.
It really gets my goat for them to use the word "cause" the way they do. Since fungi are all around all of us all the time, why do we not all have it in our sinuses????
It is because at least 99% of those with "chronic sinusitis"
have it only because their habit of holding their teeth together blocks the pterygoid venous plexus and causes back pressure in the sinuses. This causes swelling and ANY cavity in the body that does not drain properly becomes suscpetible to bacteria and fungus infestation.
Stop the teeth touching and the infections will just melt away never return.
Dr Meyer, a professor of Pediatrics in Florida, reported this more than 40 years ago, along with wonderful color pictures, so NO ONE could misunderstand. It is only because there is a LOT more money in doing research and developing treatments for the infections, than there is in teaching the person to change their susceptibilities, that this is not common knowledge!
Bah! Humbug!
Walt
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
my son had a persistent sinus problem and his doctor at the time told him to use sea salt mixed with warm water inhaled (snorted, so to speak) up his nose. He said that if you can't taste the salt, it's not strong enough. Evidently it has to be sea salt because of trace elements not found in mined salt. At any rate my son's problem was taken care of with this method. Anyone have any ideas about this? It was interesting to see the info on fungus/sinus, I've suspected this for a long time. Now I wonder if sea salt combats fungus??? jdf
In Reply to: Several years ago, msg posted by jdf on September 13, 1999 at 11:54:14:
Where do you get the sea salts?
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by Mary - Texas on September 12, 1999 at 15:20:57:
Hi, Mary.
Of course there is a connection. Both fibromyalgia (which, by the way, is exactly the same thing as fibromyositis) and TMJ are caused by total-body "bracing". Until you deal with the basic causes, you will get to treat each new condition as it comes along.
If you had a "Caldwell Luc" procedure, the openings to your sinuses are now so big that the backpressure from a blocked pterygoid plexus would not plug them up. SO, you would get significant results. The medical profession has gotten very fat by chipping away at the tips of the iceberg.
Walt
In Reply to: I know I'll probably be called dumb etc. by someone but I don't care! posted by Kari on September 13, 1999 at 11:57:47:
the only dumb people are ones who can't ask questions. Some markets carry sea salt - it's stocked with the regular mined salts. If you can't find it at your market, you might try a health food or kosher food store. jdf
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
Geez....... the fungus is among us... Had severe sinus infections for many years. Now am allergic to pennicillin and erythromycin ( get a severe sunburn-like rash all over face, neck and throat.) What cured my sinus infections- and i know i'm getting repetitive with the chiropractor stuff- but that's how the infections stopped. Have not had one in many years....Also "cured" my daughter's asthma diagnosis (don't think she ever really had it but had i listened to her doctor's she would have). I don't know how but chiropractic works for what ails you.
P.S. i'm not a chiropractor i swear....
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by MKH on September 13, 1999 at 14:26:12:
Dr. stoll a question about my own question. If there ever comes a time again that i do need an antibiotic. What will i do when i'm allergic to both pennicillin and erythromycin?
i know you are going to say they are both "bad" for me. But say there came a time when i really did need one for a bad infection. What then?.......
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by MKH on September 13, 1999 at 14:29:13:
nmi
In Reply to: Hi MKH...I wouldn't worry - there're TONS of other antibiotics ;-) nmi posted by trish on September 13, 1999 at 15:10:20:
yes, that's true Trish, but as i understand it most are in the same family and if you are allergic to one and with me i'm allergic to the two most commong then reaction can occur in similiar versions. I heard that maybe CECLOR is an alternative for me to use. I hand this one over to Dr. Stoll........thanks trish....
In Reply to: I'll never call you dumb:::: posted by jdf on September 13, 1999 at 14:10:51:
That sounds like something worth trying!!
In Reply to: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by RocketHealer Jim++ on September 12, 1999 at 12:26:05:
Rockethealer Jim:
Thanks for bringing that to our attention. After I read your article I found the link below from CNN.Com.
If Walt was ticked by what you had to say, the link below should really set him off. Better do some SR first ;)
What was interesting was the doctors' claim that fungi sensitivity was totally genetic, therefore, the only real "cure" was to change someone's DNA. I suppose I'll have to wait a couple of weeks to hear Walt's view of this position, but I can't believe he'd be sympathetic.
By the way, I've suffered from severe sinusitis since early childhood. I've had serious digestive difficulties since college. I too always thought there must be a common factor. Looks like it could be yeast.
I find it curious that researchers say they'll need a couple of years to develop a new drug. There are systemic antifungals presently on the market. Perhaps they want to put it in a vehicle (spray?) that targets the nose. And they would also have to verify that existing antifungals are effective against the fungal infections of the sinuses.
I've been inhaling water with salt and grapefruit seed extract. This is one more reason to continue doing so.
Hear you all in a few weeks
Mike
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by mike kramer on September 13, 1999 at 16:35:15:
You got my interest up, then you did not provide the link to the other article.
But I found it anyway (linked below).
It seems to be the same article I shared part of, with some more words at the end. That was where the part was about changing one's DNA. Don't hold your breath on that one! :-)
In Reply to: Re: Hi MKH...I wouldn't worry - there're TONS of other antibiotics ;-) nmi posted by MKH on September 13, 1999 at 15:28:15:
Dear MKH,
I didn't mean to be replying "for" Dr. Stoll - I'm sure he will illuminate the subject for both of us! I am still thinking that you won't have too much trouble, since I believe there are quite a few "families" of antibiotics now.
I had trouble with Sulfa drugs, getting the same sunburn-type-looking rash you spoke of, and was also sensitive though we didn't figure out if it was an allergy per se, to erythromycin.
Anyway, we'll see what the good doctor has to say! We can only hope to never need these drugs again!
Be well,
trish
In Reply to: Several years ago, msg posted by jdf on September 13, 1999 at 11:54:14:
Hi, jdf.
First, one should never argue with success.
Next, mineral salt has the highest concentration of trace minerals, sea salt has next and refined salt does not have any (4 tenths %).
The exact ratio of water to salt for gargle or nasal "douche" is 1/4th teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water. The idea is to get to "normal saline" which is exactly the amount of salt in the blood. Too much salt causes irritation and not enough causes swelling---neither of which is desirable. Most docs forget this ratio and so tell you what this doc did.
More than 99% of "chronic sinus" problems are due to allowing the teeth to touch all the time. This is the precurser of TMJ.
While one might resolve a problem for a while with the nasal douche, IF the cause was a deficiency of salt water in the nose, we all would have it unless we did the same thing. THEREFORE, he had to have other causes and the muscle tension IS that cause.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by MKH on September 13, 1999 at 14:29:13:
Hi, MKH.
Listen to trish (Thanks trish!)
It says right in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference), which every doc has on her desk, which antibiotics work against which bugs and which ones are "cross allergenic" with others. So long as you remind the doc which drugs you are allergic too, there is no excuse for him to prescribe any that are dangerous to you. Finally, you need to take personal responsibility and read the package insert before you swallow any drug. If it were me, in this circumstance, I would read the package insert BEFORE even buying it.
THEN, if the prescribed antibiotic is cross allergenic with what you know you are allergic to, AND you reminded the doc before she wrote the script, BLOOEY!!!!
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Fungii + immune system response ----> Chronic Sinusitis? posted by mike kramer on September 13, 1999 at 16:35:15:
Hi, Mike.
It IS likely that your sinusitis and GI symptoms are related but not so much by the yeast (although that is possible way down the line).
In my opinion the connection is through "bracing" not only of your whole body (LGS) but of your jaw muscles (TMJ and pterygoid plexus blockage).
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Several years ago, msg (Sinus and sea salt) Bracing posted by Walt Stoll on September 14, 1999 at 09:38:33:
Ok, so how many hours of the day do you not let your teeth touch to cure sinusitis, then? Only let them touch when you eat?
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