Q:  I have chronic sinusitis and have taken many antibiotics for this condition.  Is there any other treatment available?  NL, Billings

By Dr. Margaret Beeson N.D.

A:  Chronic sinusitis is a result of a combination of factors and can certainly be addressed

without antibiotics.  In fact, the recurrent use of antibiotics contributes to your condition.

Antibiotics are wonderful tools that are unfortunately often overused.  By conservative estimates antibiotics

are prescribed 50% of the time unnecessarily.  It is now widely known

that chronic sinus infections are often of fungal origin.  This mostly likely occurs because your own flora (the natural

 organisms that live all over and in your body) has been disturbed and the more pathogenic (disease causing) organisms

proliferate.

 Allergies can cause congestion and inflammation that prevent the elimination of mucous from nasal and sinus passages.

 This presents a perfect breeding ground for normally occurring

 bacteria and fungal organisms to grow.  The environment is warm, moist and dark.  What more could these tenacious

bugs ask for! 

 We approach sinus problems similarly to other chronic and recurring infections, such as

urinary tract infections, bronchitis and otitis media (middle ear infections).  We are usually able to help folks break the

cycle of repetitive antibiotic use.  Once people understand the combination of factors that result in their chronic

discomfort and have success

addressing the problem with a variety of treatments, antibiotic use becomes a rare

and exceptional approach, which is as it should be.  There is much concern over antibiotic resistance that unfortunately

does not always get translated into everyday practice.

 Naturopathic treatment of chronic sinusitis begins with the diet, particularly when there has

 been a history of antibiotic use.  Avoiding all white sugar and white flour is a must! 

 These products depress the immune system and support the lifecycle of fungal organisms.

While initially many people have difficulty finding other foods that satisfy them, the results are

so reinforcing that it becomes more familiar and soon, a way of life.  The South Beach diet plan may be helpful to get

started.  A good quality, broad-spectrum probiotic replacement is also essential. 

 We use a variety of botanical preparations that help reduce infection and encourage elimination of mucous materials. 

 We often teach people to use a neti pot (saline irrigation) for rinsing the

 nasal passages to enhance removal of the immunological waste products that create

congestion. Vitamin C, quercitin and bioflavinoids can reduce the allergic reaction in the cells

that line the nasal and sinus passages.  Sometimes it is necessary to use anti-fungal agents

to decrease the susceptibility to infection, because  fungal organisms can predominate, in all

 of the mucous membranes, when antibiotics have been used extensively.

 We can relate countless cases where people have used antibiotics 5x every year for many

years, for bronchitis, sinusitis, and other chronic infectious problems, and become well with specifically prescribed

naturopathic treatments, no longer needing to use the antibiotics.  It is important that infections are properly diagnosed

 and treated without putting yourself

or your loved ones at risk.  Naturopathic physicians are licensed to prescribe select anti-

biotics and always refer to specialists, as is necessary and appropriate.  We are trained to recognize the signs that indicate

when antibiotics are necessary, in any infection. 

 Be assured that there are many options for you to address your chronic condition and Good

luck in getting well!

 Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic
720 North 30 Street
Beautiful downtown Billings, Montana

Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655

ync@180com.net

Dispensary
406·254·9682

dispensary@yncnaturally.com