1. Posted by alexanderlorine on Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 12:25 pm PDT

Your articles are so refreshing Dr Mao I always like to read them. Keep up the good work. A lot of persons do not appreciate that natural remedies are more effective than pills and medicines.

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2. Posted by dottie.jean on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:37 pm PDT

very good thanks

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3. Posted by Big T on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:38 pm PDT

I have found that Grapes take care of most any sinus problem, just eat some grapes!

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4. Posted by Kathy on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:39 pm PDT

Make the connection! Being a nurse with over 25 years experience, I have seen a lot of people with various illnesses. Many illness are caused from chemicals and fragranced products as well as VOC's in homes, schools and workplace. This is a growing problem and many people are not even aware that it exists as more and more chemicals are being introduced and used on a daily basis. Many people believe that because something smells good and it is on a store shelf that it is tested, approved and safe for use. Think again ! We are now seeing more and more children and adults with Chronic Headaches, Sinusitis, Migraines, Chronic Sinus Infections, Asthma, Allergies, Hives, Eczema, sinus / respiratory illnesses and Hormone related disorders. I can not emphasize how important it is to educate yourself about MCS and the harm you may be doing to your health by using chemicals and fragranced products. If you or a loved one has symptoms of or suffers from Asthma, Allergies, chronic headaches, reproductive problems, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus or Fibromyalgia, you need to read further and learn about the signs and symptoms of MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Most doctors will not inform you about this because patients as a whole like to walk out of a doctors office with a prescription for some magical medicine and they do not want to be told that their expensive new perfume or newly installed carpet may be the culprit. So, the doctor will give you medications and many of these meds either do not work or cause other health problems. Chemicals and fragranced products are often the root of all evil when it comes to your health. Many of the below mentioned items are common triggers to sinus, asthma, itching, headaches, Migraines and allergy problems amongst other health issues. Get rid of them and your lungs will thank you and you will breathe easier. And, it is not only personal body or cleaning products causing havoc on your health….many people become ill after wearing brand new clothing, dry-cleaned clothes, installing new carpet, painting, buying a new mattress or after home renovations because of the Flame Retardants, Benzenes, Formaldehydes, etc. used in these products. So the answer is NO, you are not imagining that 2 weeks after your home, office or classroom got renovated you started to become ill, get dizzy or have headaches. This is happening more and more these days and adults as well as children are becoming sicker and sicker. Unfortunately, too many doctors compound the problem by prescribing chemical medications to try to alleviate the symptoms of an already chemical overloaded body and they rarely tell the patient to eliminate the chemical offenders. How many times have I seen people in the grocery store with Bounce, Glade Plug-Ins and Febreeze in their shopping cart along with a bottle of Benadryl , Migraine Excedrin and a box of Allergy Tablets ? Why don't they make the connection? Keep in mind that your skin is the largest organ of your body and what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. Then ... well... then it has to be filtered by your organs which are already working real hard. BIG NO-NO's ---- I would SERIOUSLY recommend removing all of the below from your living / working area. No Bounce or dryer sheets - these are VERY toxic No Febreeze - your pets will even thank you for this No Glade Plug-ins - VERY toxic No Scented candles No Scented Dish Detergents No Fragranced Products on Body, Hair or Clothing No Smoke No Newspapers and Magazines - The ink is a huge irritant. No Dander No Sprays No Sharpies (marker pens) New Cartpeting, mattresses, paint, contain toxins that can trigger sever

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5. Posted by gallopingboo on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:40 pm PDT

That was a great article. While not every suggestion was convenient for everyday use, they were all great ideas that I can see myself using in the future.

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6. Posted by beauxmex on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:41 pm PDT

I have begun using the "Neti Pot" that I learned about by watching Oprah and her current hero, Dr. Oz. Anyway, he recommended this and it feel great and provides lasting relief to sinus congestion and allergy suffering.

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7. Posted by nick p on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:41 pm PDT

Eat honey from the area you live.....it really works to get rid of allergy issues.....

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8. Posted by f100engineer on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:41 pm PDT

I've had great success with locally grown honey. A teaspoon a day kept me from having to use over the counter allergy medications all last year. I've read that the pollens that affect your allergies are the same pollens that bees use to make the honey (if it is local) - and this helps build immunity to the allergy. Worked for me.

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9. Posted by walkingonstarsx on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:43 pm PDT

Nasal irrigation (the fourth bullet) definitely works!! It helped me get rid of my seasonal allergies, and when I used it this past winter, I didn't get sick once. I've tried several different nasal irrigators, like the neti pots and other squeeze bottles, but I've found that the NasalCare product line works the best.

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10. Posted by paula70 on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:43 pm PDT

I think it depends on the area you live in. I myself live along the river (Ohio Valley). I do try to use home remedies first and only.

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11. Posted by Kathy on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:43 pm PDT

BIG NO-NO's ---- I would SERIOUSLY recommend removing all of the below from your living / working area. No Bounce or dryer sheets - these are VERY toxic No Febreeze - your pets will even thank you for this No Glade Plug-ins - VERY toxic No Scented candles No Scented Dish Detergents No Fragranced Products on Body, Hair or Clothing No Smoke No Newspapers and Magazines - The ink is a huge irritant. No Dander No Sprays No Sharpies (marker pens) New Cartpeting, mattresses, paint, contain toxins that can trigger severe respiratory disorders as well as headaches and Asthma flare-ups. And remember, it is NOT the smell it is the Chemicals that make up the smell. So, even if something is "Fragrance Free" these products often mask the smell with another chemical ! There are plenty of safe healthy products out there that work well and do not have added chemical fragrances. More and more workplaces & schools are implementing Fragrance Free policies and creating "Fragrance Free Zones"… why do you think this is? Make the connection, your lungs , immune system and your general health will thank you.

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12. Posted by dori_valiant on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:44 pm PDT

Like the natural methods and will try your suggestions, Dr. Mao. Thanks.

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13. Posted by solacestuart on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:44 pm PDT

the deliberate high altitude spraying of our atmosphere (see chemtrails) does not enter your consciousness ?

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14. Posted by cashclerk_1987 on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:46 pm PDT

These are all good ideas, but I have one that works really well for seasonal (grass/pollen allergies, hay-fever, etc) Go to your local vitamin/nutrition store, and get some Quercetin capsules. Take as recommended (usually 1, or 2 in the morning or when symptoms occur), and you should be good for the whole day. When a well known non-drowsy formula didn't work, I tried Quercetin, and haven't taken any OTC allergy remedies since. YMMV, of course.

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15. Posted by Sarah R on Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 6:47 pm PDT

I have a lot of troubles with my sinuses. I have had allergy testing, and all of the foods that the doc said to avoid were the ones I was highly allergic to. I avoid them to the best of my ability and all is well. Thanks for letting people know!

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