Is it just a cold, or is it Sinusitis?

Sinus infections - or sinusitis - are very similar to a common cold, and because of this, can be hard to distinguish. Sinusitis is actually more likely to arise after contracting a cold and if your condition remains for more than seven days it is likely a sinus infection. Symptoms include mucous discharge and blockage, headache, fever, facial and teeth pain, bad taste in the mouth, and coughing to expel mucous. Sinusitis can also be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus, with each requiring a different treatment.

Some ways to manage symptoms include the following:
•Drink lots of fluids to thin mucous.
•Breathe steam through the nose to keep the nasal passages moist. This can be done in the shower or with a bowl of hot water.
•Place a warm cloth over your face to cover the nasal area to relieve pain and pressure. Hold the cloth for ten minutes and repeat throughout the day.
•Decongestant sprays or pills can help free up nasal passages, but excessive use can actually cause more congestion.
•Nasal cleansing - a neti pot and other similar devices flush out proinflammatory substances.
If these procedures do not help, perhaps antibiotics are necessary. You should ask a doctor if they are right for your condition, as they only treat bacterial infection and overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Can Chiropractic Help With Allergies?

Since the beneficial effects of chiropractic adjustments on the nervous system are well documented, it's not surprising that many chiropractic patients report a reduction of allergy symptoms when treated regularly for vertebral subluxations. These misalignment or dysfunctional movements of vertebra can cause a local irritation in the spine which then creates an abnormal signal received by the central nervous system. When this incorrect signal occurs along the same pathway required for the input of normal environmental messages, the body may not interpret the information correctly. When this occurs, an allergic reaction can result.

Although scientific research shows chiropractic adjustments do not cause an improvement in all allergy cases, they're definitely beneficial for some. The reason for the inconsistency may be because there are a number of different causes for a patient's hypersensitivity. Vertebral subluxation is only one of many potential causes.

If you suffer allergies, consider chiropractic as one of your potential options. Even if it does not result in a reduction of your allergic symptoms, removing subluxations from your spine has several positive effects on your nervous system. And that reduces your overall physical stress level.