Stopping that sneeze
Activated astragalus root extract tones down a hyperactive immune system, helping to ease allergic rhinitis and sinusitis symptoms.
SEVENTEEN-year old Adam Fernandez is having a runny nose... again.
Adam has struggled with a “sensitive” nose for many years.
Each morning, he wakes up sneezing, followed by an uncontrollably tunny nose.
For most of the day, he has a stuffy nose and teary eyes.
These symptoms get worse whenever he comes into contact with dust or goes into an air-conditioned room.
Adam loves playing futsal, but his nose troubles often get in the way of playing well.
His sensitive nose has restricted his life in more ways than one.
He is sleepy in the morning, as his blocked nose disrupts sleep.
Although a bright student, it’s difficult to concentrate when you feel like your head is swollen up.
He also suffers from poor appetite, as he cannot smell his food much.
Hypersensitive immune system
Adam is not alone when it comes to problems with a “sensitive” nose.
A sensitive nose, or “sinus” as most Malaysians call it, is a chronic nasal inflammatory state caused by a hypersensitive immune system.
Medically, doctors refer to the condition as allergic rhinitis.
When a person’s immune system is hypersensitive, the patient’s nose in particular, hyper-reacts to even small amounts of irritants (allergens) present in the environment, such as dust, pollen, animal dander, or even temperature changes.
Symptoms then manifest as sneezing, a runny, itchy nose, or nasal congestion.
These symptoms often extend to the eyes (red, teary eyes), ears (feeling of fullness) and throat (dry cough), as these organs form an interconnected network with the nose.
When a sensitive nose is inflamed, it is unable to perform its normal functions, which include breathing, smelling and warming the air that we breathe before it reaches the lungs.
As a result, sufferers cannot tolerate cold conditions because they are unable to use their noses to warm the cold air.
The “cold” then becomes an irritation that results in discomfort and coughing.
Up to 30% of the world’s population, regardless of age and ethnicity, suffer from a sensitive nose, and the situation is not far different in Malaysia.
Health burden
Most people dismiss a runny nose or frequent sneezing as a minor nuisance.
To the sufferer however, it equates to the loss of one’s ability to breathe, smell and function optimally.
Teenagers are especially conscious of themselves. Having sinus problems can affect their self image and confidence.
Studies show that chronic inflammation in the nose is a risk factor for asthma.
As the nose is the entry point to the lungs, prolonged inflammatory reactions in the nose will eventually affect the lungs.
Seen in this light, clinicians now view allergic rhinitis and sinusitis as a legitimate medical problem and significant burden on quality of life.
Poor awareness
Unfortunately, the public’s awareness about sensitive noses and sinusitis is poor.
As a result, many people suffer in silence, and more often than not, find themselves functioning poorly in their daily activities – sleeping, eating, learning, etc.
Being a chronic inflammatory condition, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis will not spontaneously disappear.
In fact, unless the hypersensitive nature of the immune system is addressed and managed, hypersensitive noses are likely to worsen, and may even affect the lungs (asthma).
Conventionally, drug options such as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and steroids have been employed to gain relief from nasal symptoms.
Antihistamines are the mainstay of treatment, although these are not recommended for sinusitis due to its “drying” effects, which may increase risk of infections in the sinuses.
For all its usefulness, conventional drug treatments are not able to address the hypersensitive state of the immune system, the root in triggering sensitive noses in the first place.
Herbal help
Traditionally, supplements such as vitamin C and echinacea have been used in a bid to strengthen the immune system, and hopefully, relieve the nose symptoms.
However, the effects of these compounds are non-specific in addressing the hypersensitive nature of the immune system.
More recently, scientists at the Ruder Boskovic Centre in Zagreb, Croatia, have discovered that the herbal activated astragalus root extract offers benefits for those suffering from allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
In a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research in 2010, treatment with the activated astragalus root extract resulted in 70% of patients improving significantly after at least two months of treatment.
The extract does this by aiming precisely at the hypersensitive nature of the immune system, which triggers allergic rhinitis and sinusitis in the first place.
In essence, the activated astragalus root extract helps tune the immune system from a hypersensitive mode to a normal mode.
Over time, the nose will then be able to cope with the environment and not set off on a sneezing, runny, congested path.
Patients with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis do need to note that the activated astragalus root extract is not a drug, and that it will take time for benefits to be seen.
A duration of at least two months is required at a dose of one capsule twice daily. This article is brought to you by the Nuvaceuticals Division of Nuvanta Sdn. Bhd. For further information, contact 03-5636 3758 or e-mail pharmacist@nuvanta.com. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.