"We can now begin to treat the cause of the problem instead of the symptoms"

ROCHESTER, MINN. -- Mayo Clinic researchers say they have found the cause of most chronic sinus infections -- an immune system response to fungus. They say this discovery opens the door to the first effective treatment for this problem, the most common chronic disease in the United States.

An estimated 37 million people in the United States suffer from chronic sinusitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the nose and sinus cavity. Its incidence has been increasing steadily over the last decade. Common symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of smell and headaches. Frequently the chronic inflammation leads to polyps, small growths in the nasal passages which hinder breathing.

"Up to now, the cause of chronic sinusitis has not been known," say the Mayo researchers: Drs. David Sherris, Eugene Kern and Jens Ponikau , Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialists. Their report appears in the September issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

"Fungus allergy was thought to be involved in less than ten percent of cases," says Dr. Sherris. "Our studies indicate that, in fact, fungus is likely the cause of nearly all of these problems. And it is not an allergic reaction, but an immune reaction."

The researchers studied 210 patients with chronic sinusitis. Using new methods of collecting and testing mucus from the nose, they discovered fungus in 96 percent of the patients' mucus. They identified a total of 40 different kinds of fungi in these patients, with an average of 2.7 kinds per patient.

In a subset of 101 patients who had surgery to remove nasal polyps, the researchers found eosinophils (a type of white blood cell activated by the body's immune system) in the nasal tissue and mucus of 96 percent of the patients.

The results, the researchers say, clearly portray a disease process in which, in sensitive individuals, the body's immune system sends eosinophils to attack fungi and the eosinophils irritate the membranes in the nose. As long as fungi remain, so will the irritation.

"This a potential breakthrough that offers great hope for the millions of people who suffer from this problem," says Dr. Kern. "We can now begin to treat the cause of the problem instead of the symptoms."

More research is underway at Mayo Clinic to confirm that the immune response to the fungus is the cause of the sinus inflammation. The researchers are also working with pharmaceutical companies to set up trials to test medications to control the fungus. They estimate that it will be at least two years before a treatment will be widely available.

The researchers distinguish chronic sinusitis -- sinusitis that lasts three months or longer -- from acute sinusitis, which lasts a month or less. They say that the cause of the acute condition is usually a bacterial infection.

Antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants are widely used to treat chronic sinusitis. In most cases, antibiotics are not effective for chronic sinusitis because they target bacteria, not fungi. The over-the-counter drugs may offer some relief of symptoms, but they have no effect on the inflammation.

"Medications haven't worked for chronic sinusitis because we didn't know what the cause of the problem was," says Dr. Ponikau. "Finally we are on the trail of a treatment that may actually work."

Thousands of kinds of single-cell fungi (molds and yeasts) are found everywhere in the world. Fungal spores (the reproductive part of the organism) become airborne like pollen. Some people develop allergies to fungi. The new evidence from the Mayo study suggests that many people also develop a different kind of immune system response.

Editor's Note: The original news release can be found at http://www.mayo.edu/comm/mcr/news/news_773.html

GSE, according to published sources, is effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, as well as a large number of single-cell and multi-celled parasites.

Grapefruit seed extract(GSE) is being used to kill bacteria like Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli, and also to fight Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, fungi and traveler's diarrhea. This has been proven in laboratories all over the world, and is supported by feedback from doctors, veterinarians, farmers and consumers from all over the world.

GSE is non-toxic, biodegradable, economical, with no harmful side-effects. In South America, reports reveal that grapefruit seed extract has been tested effective against the measles virus. The US Dept. of Agriculture tested GSE and found it effective against four animal viruses: Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine fever, Swine Vesicular Disease, and Avian influenza.

Not since hexachlorophene has anything been such a powerful germ killer and deep cleanser. Grapefruit seed extract when mixed with soap and cleansing products only kills the germs, not the skin or the environment. At the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, GSE was tested against alcohol in emergency field prep situations: "...(GSE) was 100% effective(at 100 ppm) in skin disinfection when used as a pre-surgical prep compared to 72% effective for alcohol." The study found that GSE was "...100%(effective at 100 ppm) as compared to 98% for commercially available surgical soap" when used as a pre-surgical scrub for l minute.

Do your bowel tolerance of vitamin C. Probably best to get a buffered one for your GI system though. Start by taking 500 mg an hour and then if you don't start getting loose bowels double it until you get loose. Then back off to the last good dose. When you have an infection your body can take an enormous amount...I'm talking maybe 20-30 grams..start easy but increase steadily.

Cut out any sugars refined carbs. They may feed the "bad" bacteria and suppress your immune system.

Include lots of veggies, legumes, nuts, fresh fruits and high quality proteins.

Nasal spray of Hydrogen peroxide   http://www.landrights.com/Hydrogen_Peroxide.htm
Or http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml

Nasal spray of dilute Grapefruitseed extract.
Nasal spray of colloidal silver
http://sinusbuster.com/        another nasal spray

Flushing Your Sinuses

To flush your own sinuses, you will need a clean nose dropper and saline solution. To make the saline solution, dissolve one tablespoon of ordinary table salt in two cups of water. When you have the nose dropper and the saline solution, follow these instructions:

1. Lie on your back with your head hanging over the edge of your bed.

2. Use about one ounce of the saline solution to fill the congested nostril to the brim (if both sides are involved, only flush one side for now and repeat the procedure afterwards on the opposite side).

3. After filling the nostril, slowly turn your head slightly (about 45 degrees) in the direction of that nostril while still hanging your head over the edge of the bed (as you remain in this position, the solution will run into the sinuses through the small openings in the nasal passageway).

4. After the solution has seeped into the sinuses, you should be able to add 10 to 20 additional drops while you stay in this position for another two minutes.

5. After two minutes, bring your head up level to the mattress and lie on your back with the affected sinus toward the ceiling (this position lets the solution drain out the sinuses and down your throat).

6. As the sinuses drain, you may feel a considerable amount of fluid pass down the back of your throat (this is an excellent sign).

7. You can help the draining process even more by placing a warm hot water bottle or heating pad (on the low setting) on top of the problem nostril (if you become relaxed to the point of wanting to take a nap, go ahead and do so).

Providing your doctor has no objection, you may want to use this saline solution sinus flush on a daily basis until your condition clears. Even when your sinuses aren't congested, you may use this procedure to keep them clean of inhaled particles.

www.DrDavidWilliams.com