Feeling stuffed up? Have headaches, cough at night, a recurring sore throat or pressure in your face? What you think is a cold or allergies may be chronic sinusitis — inflammation of the sinus passages caused by fungal, bacterial or viral infections. View this health video from CNN. It gives a great overview of the condition, as well as treatment options.
According to the latest article in the British Medical Journal — no, they don’t. Nor do Chondroitin supplements. The good news is, the supplements don’t appear to do any harm either. For that reason, researchers don’t recommend against taking the supplements, but they don’t feel insurance companies or governments should pay for them either. For more information, read this NPR blog or the article as it appears in the British Medical Journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases that damage your lungs and make it increasingly difficult for your lungs to do what they were meant to do -exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Included in this group of diseases are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthmatic bronchitis. In most cases long-term smoking is the cause of COPD. However, those with gastroesophageal reflux disease may also suffer from COPD. Besides smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, exposure to dust and chemicals, genetics and being older than 40 are considered risk factors.
So what are the biggest threats to those with COPD? Cigarette smoke is the number one threat. But outdoor air, filled with pollutants, can also be a major irritant. HEPA filters in the home can help counteract ozone found in the air. For someone with both allergies and COPD, common household dust, fungi and germs can exacerbate their COPD making it difficult for them to breathe or causing them to cough and wheeze.
For someone with COPD it’s important they look to eliminate household irritant that can exacerbate their condition. To that end, COPD sufferers should:
- Consider wood floors, rather than carpet. When you walk on carpet or rugs it stirs up dust. Newly installed carpets often have formaldehydes that can be particularly irritating.
- Clean air ducts frequently.
- Choose green cleaning products. Products that give off fumes - especially those with ammonia or bleach - can make it hard for you to breathe.
- When you are cleaning, open the window to ventilate the room.
- If you get your clothes dry-cleaned, remove them from the plastic bag and let them air out in your garage or outside before bringing them inside.
- Clean your showerheads - they harbor bacteria that can irritate your condition.
- If you have a pet, have the pet groomed often.
- Eliminate sources of moisture that can breed bacteria and mold. Damp, old carpeting? Get rid of it. Even household sponges can be a source of irritation.
- Place a dehumidifier in your home and keep the humidity below 40 percent.
- Rethink scented bath products and lotions and look for handmade or green products.
- If you find that perfume or cologne bothers you - don’t wear it. You’ll breathe easier.
Can you get a cold because you go hatless on a breezy winter day? Do zinc supplements work? What about Vitamin C? Here’s a great NPR article and recommended read that provides an entertaining look at the myths and facts surrounding the common cold.
An intriguing new fourteen-year sleep study indicates that not getting enough sleep can be more detrimental to your health than previously thought — especially for men. If you’re male and suffer from diabetes or hypertension, insomnia is of even more concern. In general, seven to eight hours of sleep each night is recommend for adults. The Mayo Clinic website provides excellent information on insomnia.
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