News — nasal allergies

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system’s natural response to help fight infection. The trick is to get ahead of the allergy reaction and cut it off at the pass. Allergic reactions can trigger sneezing, wheezing, mucus, coughing, itching and hives. Allergies are not only irritating, but many have been linked to chronic respiratory problems such as sinusitis and asthma. Allergic reactions can range from mild and annoying to sudden and life-threatening. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell which contains histamine, an important natural chemical weapon in the body's arsenal for fighting infection. However too much...

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinusitis can be caused by the common cold, allergies (dietary and environmental) which is swelling of the lining of the nose caused by allergens, small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps and a deviated septum, which is a shift in the nasal cavity. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection which can be either viral or bacterial. Overuse of antibiotics can also lead to sinus infections. The Centers for Disease...