Sinus infections How can a small berry help? (read this entire article...)

It is said that around 30 per cent of all people suffer from sinusitis or sinus infection at least once each year. Sinuses are little air pockets inside the skull bones. They are located to either side of the nose, behind and in between the eyes, in the forehead, and behind the head. Sinuses contain mucus that drains into the nasal passageways through pin holes in the sinuses.

A sinus infection is caused by the inflammation of the paranasal sinuses on either side of the nose. This inflammation could either be caused by allergies or caused by bacteria or virus.

The mucus in the sinuses normally drains into the nasal passages. However, during a cold or an allergy attack, histamines cause the sinuses to inflame and block up the passages, making the mucus collect there. Histamines are chemicals produced during allergic reactions.

The collected mucus becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. These, then, form the building blocks for an infection. A sinus infection could last for three weeks or more. Sinus infection normally occurs after a common cold, and its symptoms are headache, facial pain, nasal congestion, fever, green or yellow discharge from the nose, a heavy face feeling, etc

Allergies, smoking, deviated septum and other such structural problems, nasal polyps, etc., can lead to a bout of sinus infection.

Painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol tablets, steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, hot drinks, such as tea or chicken soup, and decongestants are some of the treatment methods used to cure sinus infections. All of these measures when used should be backed up with plenty of rest. If the infection continues for more than 48 hours, antibiotics or nasal steroids should be used. Sinusitis could develop into bronchitis and pneumonia, if not properly treated. Chronic sinusitis could damage the sinuses and the cheekbones. You would then have to go for nasal surgery to repair the damage.

Sinus infection lasting for more than three months or recurring frequently is called chronic. Some bacteria are immune to certain antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance can be prevented by exactly following the antibiotic dosage prescribed by the doctor. The course must be completed, even though symptoms disappear before.

Should medical treatment fail, or nasal obstruction persists, surgery should be resorted to. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is considered the most efficient sinus surgery. The surgery uses an endoscope with which the surgeon can look directly into the nose to remove diseased tissue and polyps and clear the narrow channels.

Sinusitis can be prevented by using an oral decongestant or a short course of nasal spray decongestant, especially before air travel, gently blowing the nose by blocking one nostril and blowing through the other, drinking lots of fluids to keep the nasal discharge thin and using antihistamines to control allergy attacks. Allergy testing can also increase tolerance towards allergy-inducing substances.

Allergic reactions that lead to sinusitis are often caused by the overreaction of the immune system. The immune system goes awry because of several factors, including the increasing presence of toxins in the environment.

So how do we fight back?

A growing body of medical research is pointing to the importance of polysaccharides and the need for them in our diet. One of the best ways to supplement polysaccharides is by a remarkable fruit berry called the Goji Berry (Ask Dr. Earl Mindell & Oprah about this!)

Goji berries, sometimes called Wolfberries, are perhaps the most nutritionally-rich fruit on the planet. Goji berries contain 18 kinds of amino acids (on par with bee pollen) and contain all 8 essential amino acids. But there's one problem with the Goji berry.  99% of the Goji products aren't "Cold Processed" therefore they lose effectiveness once their picked from the vine.  We'll this didn't stop Dr Earl Mindell (author of "The Vitamin Bible") from finding a way to preserve the berry and it only took him 8 yrs! (I know, that's a long time)

So what does all of this have to do with Sinus Infections?  It's simple, give the body what it needs and you'll see it fight back in remarkable ways.  I personally haven't had a sinus infection in 18 months and typically battled 4-5 a year!

Now we know why 1/2 of Hollywood is craving this juice!  Click here to find out more!