Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses. Currently, one in every five antibiotic prescriptions written for U.S. adults is written for sinusitis. Keeping in mind that unnecessary and unneeded antibiotic use leads to more virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that doctors only suspect a bacterial infection when sinusitis symptoms last ten days or more and do not improve. After that, a five to seven day course of amoxicillin is often recommended.

Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses.

Treating sinus infections

Sinus infections are painful occurrences that often lead physicians to prescribe antibiotics, often upon the urging of uncomfortable patients. In fact, sinus infections (also known as "acute sinusitis"), which produce severe cold-like symptoms of runny nose and headache, are the fifth most common reason for prescribing antibiotics among U.S. adults. Yet, a recent study shows that antibiotics do not help fight most sinus infections. The fact is that doctors cannot tell if a sinus infection is caused by bacteria or by a virus, in which case antibiotics are useless.

Apply for unclaimed controlled hunt tags by Aug. 15

For a wide variety of reasons, some of the lucky hunters who drew tags in the deer, elk, antelope and bear controlled-hunt drawing did not buy their tags.

OTC medications at wholesale prices

Diabetes is an awful disease.

Antibiotics: Friend or foe? Part II

Germs are becoming increasingly more resistant to our antibiotics, and as a result, stronger, more potentially dangerous antibiotics are necessitated. Keep in mind that any drug, whether by prescription or over the counter (OTC) has potentially serious side effects, and should be utilized only after researching the risks, including toxicity as a result of its consumption. Antibiotics - and OTC's, because they're given out like candy - often miss the scrutiny given to other medications by wise consumers, but pose potentially serious side effects when misused.

HEALTH: Antibiotics are your best bet

Nov. 12-18 is Get Smart About Antibiotics week, a good opportunity to remember that antibiotics are the best treatment available for bacterial infections. Antibiotics do nothing to treat viruses that cause colds, flu, most sore throats and bronchitis. Taking antibiotics for viral infections — when they’re not needed — reduces their effectiveness fighting your bacterial infections, when they are needed.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Sinus relief: Solutions that really work

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) millions of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sinusitis each year. It is estimated that that amounts to around 12% of the U.S. population.

Marty and Max: Real Estate Recipes

Today we will discuss two ways to buy an actively marketed home at a bargain, where you actually want to live.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Acupuncture, immune and respiratory science

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years (literally) for the treatment of respiratory ailments – viral, bacterial, inflammatory, etc. Its usefulness spans preventative immune support as well as effectiveness in ameliorating acute respiratory infections and distress.

FDA approves first rapid, take home HIV test

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first over-the-counter HIV test, allowing Americans to test themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in the privacy of their homes.

Playing the health insurance shell game

Last Wednesday, we were treated to another nonsensical "My Turn" by Chuck Malloy, where he started off by thanking goodness for insurance. He went on to say that he needed to purchase an insulin pen and the cost of a five pack over the counter without insurance was $500, but thanks to the wonderful insurance world, he only paid $35.

Gut pain, bloating and indigestion: Your tummy is telling you something

The holidays are upon us and are the signs and symptoms of tummy trouble. Painful swelling, bloating, gas, and indigestion along with constipation or diarrhea are all issues associated with a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) They can be a result of overeating during the holidays. It can be broken further into other categories like irritable bowel syndrome with constipation or diarrhea and also include Crohn’s/inflammatory bowel disorder. SIBO, for short, is a very common condition that may lead to food sensitivities, allergies and autoimmune conditions. Hypothyroidism, Psoriasis, Eczema, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and various rheumatological/arthritis issues have all been linked to SIBO and specific bacterial infections leading to these conditions.

OPINION: Idaho must once again send the hate mongers packing

Hate and bigotry often lurk just beneath the surface of civil societies. So long as a society is united in disapproving of hateful words and actions, those evil twins remain suppressed. When they receive official approval, they rise to the surface and infect society like a virus. A society must maintain continued vigilance to keep them in check.

What not to do when sick: Part I

Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Every year we see a barrage of colds, flu's and other respiratory tract infections. No one likes to be sick, and as a result we reach for anything - anything that will bring comfort. More times than not, what we reach for is precisely the wrong thing! Instead of helping with recovery, it may prolong the illness.

Severity of Europe E. coli outbreak stuns experts

Scientists remain unsure what produce, and what country, is responsible

BERLIN - The foodborne bacterial outbreak that has hit Germany and other European nations is unlike anything Western experts have seen: 16 dead and more than 1,000 sick, including nearly 400 suffering severe and potentially fatal symptoms. But several days into the health threat, scientists remain unsure what produce - and what country - is responsible.

Prostatitis is a common condition

Ask Dr. K

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — HOLLY CARLING: Lyme disease: The ticks are out!

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of a tick. It can be a serious disease. Fortunately, not all tick bites cause Lyme disease. It is transmitted from certain ticks only. Some researchers are investigating other possible transmission of Lyme, but it is not yet clarified.

The hidden dangers of salmonella infections

Humans typically avoid raw foods because of the risk of developing a salmonella infection, a common bacterial disease that harms the intestinal tract. While humans can be infected with salmonella more easily than animals, there is still a risk of pets developing the infection as well.

ISU student diagnosed with tuberculosis