Dec 31 2009
The Relationship Between Sinus Problems and Allergies
While we often assume sinus problems are due to viruses and infections, undiagnosed allergies or food sensitivities could also play a role in chronic sinus problems in many people. Many times food can be a hidden allergy, since people are not always aware the they are intolerant of a substance. Obviously, not all sinus problems are caused by food intolerance or environmental allergies, but for someone who cannot find any other explanation it is worth exploring further with your doctor.
It can be very difficult to determine if you are sensitive to allergens in your environment or if you may have a food intolerance. Most environmental allergic responses can be tested through scratch tests performed by a doctor, though this does not always show the best results. Food intolerance is very difficult to diagnose, especially when the reaction is one you cannot see. Blood testing can occasionally give doctors some clues if your body is producing antibodies against a particular food, but these tests are often inaccurate or inconclusive.
If you suspect your allergies may be environmental, such as due to dust or pets or another trigger, usually the only solution is to avoid contact with these things. Getting rid of microscopic particles such as dust can be especially challenging. Many people trying to get rid of dust mites can tell you it may be easier to just deal with allergies than constantly cleaning to keep dust mites away.
If you suspect you may be intolerant of a certain food, an elimination diet is one way to determine if any are causing symptoms. Avoiding foods that cause a reaction in the body can be challenging, especially when food plays such a vital role in many things we do. Many ingredient lists can be confusing or may not state whether they contain gluten or other common food allergen triggers. Especially difficult to avoid is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye which is called gluten. Going gluten free many times can assist many people because intolerance can cause their body to not absorb nutrients necessary in staying healthy and fighting germs. When you have a food intolerance, it can affect your overall nutrition which can increase your risk to infections due to poor nutrition.
If you constantly seem to have sinus infections, talking to your doctor about allergies or food intolerance is a must before considering surgery or other advanced procedures. Even if you do not suspect you have allergies, you may still want to consider how often you are exposed to common triggers and try eliminating them from your environment or your diet. You may wish to try additional tests that are more thorough if your initial results are negative, just to be certain. A dietary consultant can also be beneficial in making sure your body gets the best nutrition for your sinuses, especially when eliminating common food triggers.
Mail this post
Related Posts
No related postsNo responses yet