Allergy - Sinus Congestion - Try the Ancient Neti

Lack of oxygen is not conducive to life so of course those who suffer from sinus congestion are desperate for a permanent solution. The most common course of action is to try over-the-counter medications. If those medications are not effective, the next step is usually to see a doctor for a prescription for more powerful drugs. While medications will clear the sinuses, the side effects are sometimes more than the sufferer is willing to endure. Often the side effects include brain fog, sleepiness, and a very dry throat and sinuses. Of course things could get even worse and morph into a sinus infection. If that happens, an even stronger class of drugs and their side effects come into play. Before the problem gets to that stage, there's an alternative that's very effective and doesn't involve drugs or their side effects--the neti pot. The neti pot has literally been around for ages. The term comes from an ancient Indian yoga technique, meaning literally "water cleansing", where the practitioner rinses out the nasal cavity with water using a neti pot. You can make your own saline solution for nasal irrigation by mixing 1/4-teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and add a pinch (1/4-tsp.) of baking soda. If you don't want to make your own, you can purchase a pre-made solution to put into the neti pot. Once you have the solution in the neti pot: Lower your head over a sink. Turn your head to the side. Keep your nose slightly higher than your mouth. Pour solution from the container into your nostril. Water will drain from your other nostril into the sink. Gently blow your nose. Repeat the same process for other nostril. Remember to breath through your mouth during the process. Nasal irrigation is safe, but remember overuse can interefere with the ability of the sinuses to fight bacteria. Visit Mind Mart to find out about nasal irrigation at www.mind-mart.com/neti-pot. ? 2006, Clara Myers. Mind Mart offers holistic and alternative techniques for mind-body health. Check out Mind Mart's Santosha page at mind-mart.com. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clara_Myers Allergy - Food Allergies and Fatalities Every year, millions of people worldwide are affected by allergies to particular foods. It is estimated that in America alone, over 11 million people suffer from potentially life threatening food allergies. It is estimated that over 200 people die each year from allergic reactions to food in the United States. Furthermore, there are approximately 30,000 emergency room visits each year that are attributed to food allergies. These numbers are astounding, to say the least. There has been a lot of talk in the popular press as of late, regarding food allergies. In fact, the White House recently designated a National Anaphylaxis Day to raise public awareness about the dangers of certain types of food. Anaphylaxis is a term used to describe extreme allergic reactions that have the potential to cause death. The most troubling element of food allergies is that they are next-to-impossible to diagnose. More often than not, an individual does not realize that they have a food allergy until they are having a reaction. At that time, it is too late to consider preventative measures. The scariest part is that there is literally no way to determine how serious the reaction might be, so the utmost care and consideration must be taken when dealing with an allergic reaction. Some of the most common foods people are allergic to include nuts (peanuts, walnuts, etc.), shellfish (lobster, shrimp, crab, etc.), eggs, and dairy products (milk, cream, etc.). Now take a moment to consider how many prepared foods contain one or more of the above ingredients. For those suffering from intense food allergies, every meal is like playing a game of chance. There are few ways to protect one self from having an allergic reaction. The best strategy is simply to be prepared for the worst. You certainly have to be aware of what you are eating, but also of the environment in which the food was prepared. In the case of an individual with peanut allergies, mere traces of the nut can cause like-threatening illness. If you are dining out, be sure to inform the restaurant of any allergies you suffer from. In the kitchen, extra care should always be taken to ensure cross-contamination is not taking place. As mentioned above, there is no way to determine how severe an allergic reaction might be. The frontline tool for defense against allergic reactions to food is a compound known as epinephrine. Epinephrine is absolutely critical for managing allergic reactions, and could mean the difference between life and death. If you or somebody you know is suffering from food allergies, be sure to consult a physician regarding management strategies. Alternately, you can visit our site for more information.