Treating sinusitis
CHRONIC inflammation due to nasal allergies is one of the main causes of nasal sinusitis. Doctors often refer to sinusitis as rhinosinusitis, because an inflammation of the sinuses nearly always occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the nose (rhinitis). On top of this, viral or bacterial infections can set in, worsening existing symptoms.
Patients often experience difficulty breathing, facial congestion, pain, headaches, earaches and problems with sleep. In Malaysia, the most common allergy triggers are house dust mites and pollution (including cigarette smoke).
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) affects about 30% or 400 million people worldwide and is a significant financial burden. Unfortunately, allergies can lead to other debilitating conditions.
Other hidden direct costs of AR treatment include the treatment of other co-existing conditions such as chronic sinusitis, middle ear infections, upper respiratory infection, sleep disorders, nasal polyposis and asthma.
A 23-year-long study reported in Allergy & Asthma Proceedings showed that one in every three people with AR go on to develop asthma. The recognition and early treatment of AR provides a valuable window of opportunity for reducing the prevalence and severity of this condition.
The majority of treatment options available surround the relief of allergy symptoms. Medications such as antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays are commonly used. However, nasal steroid spray users should be aware that regular use could cause thinning of the nasal mucosa. More recently, leukotriene inhibitors such as montelukast have proven popular and has even been described as a “lung vitamin”. Nevertheless, both prescribers and patients should be aware of neuropsychiatric adverse reactions linked to its use.
While medications such as antihistamines and decongestants are helpful in managing allergies, these drugs block the symptoms without addressing the root cause. As allergies are chronic conditions, prolonged use of these drugs can also lead to various side effects.
Researchers at the Ruder Boskovic Institute located in Zagreb, Croatia, have discovered an alternative way of dealing with nasal allergies and sinusitis.
Studies published in the acclaimed journal, Phytotherapy Research, in 2010 showed that an activated, patented astragalus root extract known as Lectranal possessed immune-modulating actions useful in managing allergies.
Lectranal works by modulating the immune system to help it differentiate between what is harmful and harmless in the environment. In effect, the immune system is being primed “taught” how to respond discriminately and optimally.
Lectranal treatment resulted in an overall improvement of AR by over 70% after six weeks. The research on Lectranal is compelling as it addresses a root pathway, which helps prevent the onset of allergies in the first place.
Awarded the best rhinitis poster presentation prize at the XXVII Congress of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology in Barcelona 2008, Lectranal is a viable natural approach to managing allergic conditions. Malaysian ENT surgeon at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Dr Yap Yoke Yeow, has described Lectranal as a promising natural and affordable oral immunotherapy agent.
This article is brought to you by the Nuvaceuticals Division of Nuvanta Sdn Bhd.
For details, contact 03-5636 3758 or e-mail pharmacist@nuvanta.com.