| As part of our efforts to chronicle the experiences | | | | article was entitled "Mayo Clinic Announces Startling |
| of sinusitis sufferers, a gentleman named Carlton | | | | New Sinus Discovery" |
| contributed a "Sinusitis Treatment Success" story. | | | | "Jens Panikau, sinus researcher at Mayo Clinic, has |
| He pointed out a study conducted by the Mayo clinic | | | | published a new finding that explains why sinus |
| and the University of Buffalo addressing the issue of | | | | disease persists despite so many new drugs. Dr |
| recurring sinus infection. It states that "chronic | | | | Panikau found that the main cause of sinus |
| sinusitis is an immune disorder caused by fungus." | | | | symptoms was that the eosinophiles - your special |
| I asked Carlton in a follow-up email if he had tested | | | | cells that defend your body against infection, - get |
| positive for fungi in previousallergy tests, and here is | | | | into the mucus and produce a toxic product called |
| his response: | | | | MBP that is made in order to kill bacteria. |
| "Hello Walt: | | | | Unfortunately, among sinus sufferers, there is an |
| I had 2 different allergy tests, both negative. | | | | excess of this MBP in the mucus that also damages |
| The Mayo/U. of Buffalo research says this is not an | | | | the cells of the nose and impairs its ability to sweep |
| allergic reaction like a pollen allergy, so it wouldn't | | | | bacteria out of the nose. Dr Panikau shows that it is |
| show up in an allergy test. It's an over reaction to | | | | the MBP that makes the patient sick, with fever, |
| fungus by T-cells that damage the sinus lining and | | | | pain, fatigue, and secondary infections." |
| gives bacteria a place to grow. Most people have no | | | | Anyone who suffers from recurring sinus infection |
| reaction, but most people with chronic sinusitis do. | | | | issues and who cannot find adequate relief after |
| Apparently there is a test, but ENT's are skeptical. | | | | treatment by an otolaryngologist or after |
| Mine said the fungus idea was false and suggested | | | | unsuccessful surgery are urged to do what Carlton |
| surgery. If I was cynical, I might think his opinion was | | | | has done: |
| because there's no surgical solution. | | | | 1.Start using pulsating nasal irrigation to cleanse the |
| This is leading edge stuff. Mayo received a patent on | | | | nose of crusty old mucus which could be carrying |
| anti-fungal treatments. | | | | toxins. |
| I decided to try this approach after everything else | | | | 2.Test your environment to see if you are exposed |
| failed. I don't want surgery, because I've never heard | | | | to high levels of fungus. |
| of one that worked. | | | | 3.If the tests are positive for fungus, try to improve |
| I'll let you know how it goes, but so far, I feel much | | | | your environment to lower the amount of fungus |
| better. | | | | you are exposed to. |
| Carlton" | | | | There are numerous books and articles which |
| Huge Implications in the Study Results | | | | address this subject. |
| There are huge implications in this study for those | | | | Hopefully the follow-on work of the Mayo Clinic and |
| who suffer from recurring sinus infection. This work | | | | University of Buffalo will identify antifungal |
| could lead to treatments that treat the root cause of | | | | treatments that can finally go after the root cause |
| the problem for the first time. | | | | of recurring sinus infection. Sinus sufferers should be |
| Another article in the Health Solutions Newsletter of | | | | aware of these research efforts and be ready to |
| Sept 2005 also referred to the Mayo Clinic/U. of | | | | discuss these findings with their ENT specialists. |
| Buffalo study and adds further clarification. Their | | | | Maybe serious help is finally on the way. |