Common upper respiratory tract infections

Allergies are inappropriate responses by the body’s immune system to a substance that is not normally harmful. In some persons, the immune system wrongly identifies a nontoxic substance as an invader and the white blood cells overreact and do more damage to the body than to the invader. Thus, the allergic response becomes a disease in itself. Allergic rhinitis is an example of an unruly immune response to pollens in the upper respiratory tract. For many years a combination of bad diet and a buildup of toxins, can gradually unbalance the immune system and eventually a situation occurs where the normal checks and balances that regulate immune function, begin to break down. The person starts reacting to triggers in the environment that previously were not a problem. Furthermore, if the diet has been lacking in nutrients such as antioxidants that help dampen an excessive immune response, the situation escalates. Suddenly, the production of inflammatory mediators spirals out of control and the person begins to react to a wide variety of triggers. Substances that provoke allergic responses are called allergens. The most common allergens are mold, pollen, dust, some cosmetics, lanolin, animal hair, insect venom, some common drugs such as penicillin and aspirin, some food additives such as sulfur dioxide to mention but a few. No one knows why some people are allergic to certain substances. However, allergies do run in families, and it is believed that babies that are not breastfed are more likely to develop allergy. Sinusitis is the blocking of the sinus passageways because of inflammation or excess mucus. These passageways are located in the bones surrounding the eyes and nose. If the sinuses are too small or poorly positioned to handle the volume of mucus produced they can become clogged. Sinuses that are clogged for a long time seem to invite infection. Symptoms are nasal congestion, discharge, fatigue, headache, earache, pain around the eyes and face, mild fever, cough and increased susceptibility to infection. Food allergies occur when a person’s immune system generates an antibody response to an ingested food. They manifest as gastrointestinal upsets, diarrhea, irritable bowel and brain fog type symptoms or hyperactivity as seen in children. Food allergies should be distinguished from food intolerances, which are the inability to digest and process certain foods correctly, usually due to a lack of a certain enzyme or enzymes. Sinusitis may be the result of an injury, viral or bacterial infection like a cold, sore throat, tonsillitis, allergies, swimming or poor oral hygiene. Recurrent attacks could mean that the cause is an allergy. Some studies indicate that a deficiency of vitamin A, which helps maintain the health of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, may predispose one to the condition. Allergic rhinitis is caused by repeated invasions of wind cold or heat, which is not treated properly, combined with a pre-existing deficiency of lung and kidney defensive systems leading to the retention of what could be described as chronic wind in the nose. There is also an important connection between kidney deficiency and the governing vessel in the hyper-reactivity of the immune system seen in allergic rhinitis. The governing vessel emerges from between the kidneys and flows up the spine to the top of the head and then down to the nose and lips. Sinusitis is caused by repeated invasions of external wind either heated wind or cold which impairs the dispersing and descending of lung systems in the nasal passages so that fluids stagnate in the nose and sinuses. The long-term stagnation of fluids leads to phlegm and Heat which manifest as a yellow, purulent nasal discharge. Although repeated invasions of external wind is the main cause of sinusitis, excessive consumption of greasy-hot foods leading to phlegm and heat may predispose one to this condition. This type of food may lead to the formation of damp-heat in the stomach and spleen, which may be carried upwards to the sinuses via the stomach channel. Asthma is a lung disease that causes obstruction of the airways. During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi constrict, impeding the outward passage of air. These spasms are a result of chronic inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways to certain stimuli. An attack may be triggered if a susceptible individual is exposed to an allergen or irritants. Common asthma -provoking allergens include animal dander, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, environmental pollutants, and food additives. Asthma attacks can also be triggered by conditions such as anxiety, fear and stress. Ends