More evidence that low-calorie sweeteners are bad for your health
Studies show that artificial sweeteners can raise the risk of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, including stroke.
Painful sinusitis has a number of causes.
This time of year it can be caused by an increase in certain types of pollen or other allergens.
Symptoms can range from headache to facial tenderness, swelling and nasal congestion, and even tooth ache. These can be particularly debilitating if chronic sinusitis sets in, which can drag on for weeks and weeks. People prone to allergies or with immune systems are vulnerable to developing sinusitis and need to take special care.
But this condition can also be caused by a bacterial infection, by a cold, flu, tonsillitis, allergies or poor mouth hygiene. The symptoms include nasal congestion, nosebleed, fatigue, headache, ear pain, pain around the eyes, a mild fever or cough.
Prevention is always a good thing to consider. So here are some tips for avoiding sinusitis as well as not making it worse:
If you do succumb, remember to treat symptoms as soon as possible, to avoid getting a secondary infection. Be careful not to overuse nasal decongestants as this can sometimes even aggravate sinusitis. Instead why not try, any one (or a combination) of these natural approaches to help you recover quicker:
Gentle massage. Relieve sinusitis by massaging either side of nose near bottom of nasal bones and at outside of your nostrils as often as possible.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water (not coffee or alcohol) to help dilute mucous secretions and promote drainage. Herbal teas aid hydration too and also have mild medicinal effects: try chamomile, peppermint, sage, elderflower, ginger and echinacea.
A hot compress over the top of the nasal area may help relieve sinusitis pain. Try adding a couple of drops of essential oils; eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, chamomile, lemon peppermint are all good choices.
Or try a steam inhalation. Add 2 drops each of rosemary and eucalyptus and 1 drop each of thyme and peppermint to a bowl of just boiled water. Lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and inhale deeply for a couple of minutes.
Try herbs. Garlic, goldenseal, eyebright, elderflowers and yarrow are all suggested as possible herbs to take as infusions or as tinctures. Fluid balancing herbs like nettle, dandelion and red clover may also help with the excess fluid
Or homoeopathy. Constitutional treatment for chronic sinusitis has shown good results. Or you can try treating according to symptoms. Arsenicum for those who feel throbbing and burning pains in the sinuses. Belladonna is effective for people whose head feels full, as if it could burst. Kali bichromicum can help those who have a thick, stringy nasal discharge. Mercurius for those who feel like their head is in a vice. Other remedies may also help. If in doubt seek the advice of a professional homoeopath.
Get spicy. Hot food like mustard, hot peppers, curry, horseradish, and wasabi sometimes help with opening the nasal passages.
Support your gut. Your gut health is lined to your immunity so make sure you are keeping your naturally good bacteria in balance This is particularly important it you are taking antibiotics for sinusitis as these will reduce your good as well as bad bacteria in your body. If bacterial infection is really at the root of your sinusitis and you do take antibiotics, make sure you help restore gut balance by eating natural yoghurt and taking probiotics.
Eat ‘clean’ foods. Sinus problems can benefit from a light cleansing or alkalising diet of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Greens, lemon juice, carrot juice, pineapples, papayas, and apples are good things to add. Stay away from additives, colours, preservatives all of which can promote inflammation.
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