Remedies : Got Sinus Problems? A Simple Yet Effective Solution Exists
Colds, sinusitis or sinus infections, bad breath, allergies. What do all of these have in common? Aside from being irritating and hampering normal life, believe it or not, they can all be eased and even prevented with a special nasal wash containing Xylitol. Most of us recognize the need to frequently wash our hands in order to avoid germs that can easily be picked up by what we touch, but most people would not remember to wash out their noses every once in a while in order to flush out the bacteria that can easily be taken in with the air they breathe.
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring, white crystalline substance. Everyday, our bodies produce up to 15 grams of it. Most sugar alcohols contain 6 carbon atoms, but Xylitol only has 5 carbon atoms. Because of the difference in structure, blood sugar will be lower and the body will digest it slower giving better nutritional balance. It is a substance regularly used in the metabolism process; it looks and tastes like sugar but is undoubtedly safer and more nutritious. Xylitol has about the same sweetness as sucrose (regular table sugar) but has 40% less calories and none of the insulin effects or negative tooth decay of sugar. Xylitol can also be found in a wide variety of foods including fruits, mushroom lettuce, berries and corn cobs.
Xylitol and Bacteria
Not only is Xylitol a safe and effective sweetener, but its chemical structure actually helps to fight bacteria. Because it is structurally similar to sugar, it attracts bacteria, yet the five-carbon structure is just different enough to deny bacteria any sustenance. So the bacteria ingest it, but are unable to metabolize it and starve to death. In scientific studies, bacteria have been proven to lose hold wherever they have become attached, whether on the teeth or in the sinuses when Xylitol is present.
Xylitol vs. Antihistamines
Some doctors associate the dramatic rise in upper-respiratory illnesses like asthma and sinusitis with the overuse of anti-histamines that began in the 1970s. Anti-histamines block histamine, which triggers the body's natural method for cleansing the sinuses. So while it blocks the runny nose, it is also inhibiting the body from doing what it needs to in order to clear itself of pollutants. These widely used drugs suppress the body's response to bacterial or allergenic invaders without actually addressing the problem that produced the irritating symptoms to begin with. Widespread asthma and other respiratory ailments today are the accumulated results of years of ignorant antihistamine overuse.
Xylitol, on the other hand, does not suppress the immune response, but helps to stimulate the natural sinus cleansing process. Its inherently antibacterial structure aids in dislodging bacteria so that it can be washed out by naturally occurring mucous. This means that the root of the problem will be solved: the intruding bacteria or allergen will be removed instead of simply suppressing the body's normal, but irritating response.
A Simple Solution
It is amazing that something as simple as a nasal wash can alleviate some of the most obnoxious and debilitating of human ailments; all accomplished without the use of drugs. Studies have shown that asthma has been cleared up and the number of sinus and ear infections has decreased with the use of nasal wash containing Xylitol. So the next time allergy symptoms hit or sinusitis leaves you in a fog of congestion, put away the pills and try the simple, yet effective method of washing your nose with a nose wash containing Xylitol.
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About the Author:
Annie Small is a student of Russian culture and works as a client account specialist for an internet marketing company. For more information about Xylitol or for a nasal wash that contains Xylitol, go to Xlear.
What Causes Allergies?
Almost 40 percent of the human population will suffer from allergies at some point in their lives. Itchy eyes, stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing are among the most common allergy symptoms and they can make any individual feel tired and weak. Many people often wonder if they can avoid allergies by doing things differently in their day-to-day routines. The answer is yes. However, before you change your schedule to avoid allergies you may want to find out the cause of your allergy. It is a good idea to determine if it is worth the hassle. The following is a list of things which may trigger the allergies in your system to act up:
Pollen, Dust Mites and Mold
These substances are well-known for causing allergies. Different factors determine the levels of these substances on a regular basis. If pollen levels are high, you will be more likely to suffer from allergies. The best way to avoid these substances is to stay indoors and to dust and clean often. If you go outside, make sure you shower or bathe as soon as you return home. This will wash off any unwanted substances like pollen or dust which may be on your clothing or your body.
Genetics
Regardless of how much you are exposed to pollen or other allergy-triggering substances, you may suffer from allergies purely due to genetics. If two people are in the exact same conditions at the exact same time, one person may suffer more than the other because it is in their blood. You can thank your parents for that and there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening.
Low Immune System
If your immune system is too weak to fight off the allergies, you will end up suffering for a good part of the year. Your immune system may be weak for a couple of reasons. First, if you do not get enough vitamins and minerals your immune system will lose its strength and will become ineffective in fighting allergies and other forms of viruses or infections. Also, your immune system may be low due to mental stress. Mental stress can make you physically weak and cause your body to shut-down. When this happens, your immune system shuts down as well. To strengthen your immune system make sure you get lots of vitamins, eat a healthy diet and avoid stress as much as possible.
Many studies have been done and there is no ?one thing? which has been proven to cause allergies. Allergies can be caused by one of the reasons listed above or possibly a combination of many different reasons. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercising, sleeping and eating healthy will all play an important role in avoiding allergy symptoms.
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About the Author: Harold Miller used to suffer from allergies until he took it upon himself to get educated. While Harold still has the occasional bout, he has learned many ways to improve his allergies and as a result enjoys serving as a contributing editor at http://www.allergyrelief101.com ? a site dedicated to providing information on air purifiers, information about allergy relief, dealing with dust mites and more.
