Health Tips From Byron J. Richards

Watch for Sinus Stuffiness in the Fall Damp Weather

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - Byron J. Richards, CCN

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The past few weeks in much of the country has seen quite a lot of rain. Rain combined with autumn’s falling leaves poses a challenging immune system stressor for many people, as it is a perfect breeding ground for mold. This problem continues until there are two killing frosts.

Mold spores form under the leaves, enter the air, and transfer on water molecules directly into your sinuses causing stuffiness. Such mold spores are not infectious organisms in and of themselves. However, they are cousins of Candida albicans. While such dampness-related stress is not a problem for many people, it is for others. Those more likely to notice the issue have a history of Candida imbalance, are prone to congested sinuses in general, have sensitivity to molds, hate the smell of a damp basement, etc.

This form of weather stress is a factor that puts pressure on optimal immune function. Any time one of the protective barrier surfaces of your body is challenged by anything, it involves an immune response so as to help sort out the issue. This is all natural and normal function of your immune system doing its routine work. However, the more sneezing that is involved the greater the irritation and histamine release. Like emotional stress, it is just one more thing for your immune system to deal with.

To have optimal immune function available to deal with other issues, it is best to have clear sinuses as a baseline of healthy function. Clear sinuses also reflect better overall lymphatic function, as described in my article, A Healthy Lymph System is Vital for Flu Fighting Immunity.

While this issue starts out as sinus stuffiness and pressures, it can develop into extra sinus mucous and a drop in energy. It often leads to cravings for sugar – another factor that is highly stressful to healthy immune system function.

The moral of the story is do what you can to keep your sinuses clear during damper weather in the fall season. Many nutrients can help. Plant extracts like oregano oil or noni are popular nutritional support for sinus health. Quercetin helps to stabilize the immune cells that line your sinuses, assisting your body to deal with this type of stress. And arabinogalactan is a popular lymph support compound that can assist with the sensation of pressure build-up.

Just as you must eat well and get adequate sleep for optimal immune function, so it is that you want to minimize any form of stress. Sinus stress is just one on a long list of possible stressors, but it is an important one for many people at this time of the year.

Related Entries: Using Nutrition to Help Perceive and Combat Swine Flu
Quercetin Reduces Flu Susceptibility

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