Antibiotics is not working. What else can help?

• Allergies
• Acute and chronic sinusitis
• Repeated ear infection   
• Hoarse voice with or without singer's node

      Using herbal formulas and acupuncture to treat these discomforts is Westyo Acupuncture & Herb clinic expert's specialty.

Successfully treating Allergic Rhinitis

--- Traditional Chinese Medicine approach

Weiyan Liu L. Ac. (Illinois), M.D. M. S. (China)

Antigen And Immune Response 

In the Gell and Coombs classification system of immunologic reactions, there are five Types of immune reactions recognized.  This paper is concerned with Type I reactions only.

Type I hypersensitivity reactions occur when a sensitized individual comes in contact with a specific antigen. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the main antibody involves this type immunue response. Ig E has a strong affinity for mast and basophil cells.  The cross-linking of 2 adjacent IgE molecules by the antigen, triggers mast and basophil cells degranulation and the release of factors including histamine, tryptase, chymase, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. The result is an increase in vascular permeability and migration of eosinophils and neutrophils. The changes in the body cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as postnasal dripping, itchy running nose, red and water eyes, etc.

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever,” is a result of immune hypersensitivity.  Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs only during the time of year when the pollen of allergen producing plants is present in the air, for example, tree pollens in spring;  grass and weed pollens in summer and autumn; fungus spores in spring, summer and autumn.

Perenial rhinitis occurs at all times of year.  Indoor allergens such as dust mites, feathers, animal dander, and mold, etc. are the primary causes for perennial allergic rhinitis.

Signs, Symptoms And Diagnosis

Allergic rhinitis can present as the following

• Sneezing, runny, stuffy, and itchy nose
• Coughing triggered by postnasal drip or itchy in throat
• Itching, red and watery eyes, dark circle under eyes
• Fatigue

The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is mainly based on a physical exam and symptoms, but skin or blood tests are useful.

In a skin test, a small amount of allergen, usually in drop form deemed sufficient to cause a reaction, is placed on arm or back. If a red, itchy bump appears in 15-20 minutes, it suggests an allergy to this substance.

Sometimes known allergens are introduced intradermally.  A small drop of antigen is injected just under the skin.  If the patient is sensitive, there will be a visible reaction to the allergen with in 15-20 minutes.

A blood test may be useful in identifying the presence of abnormal  amounts of immunoglobulin and antibodies, as well as increased numbers of lymph cells, basophils and eosinophils cells, etc.

Current Common Treatments

There are various treatment choices for allergic rhinitis.   There is an array of “over-the –counter” as well as, prescribed pharmaceuticals, in both topical, nasal decongestant spray, antihistamines in liquid, spray and tablet form.  However, no truly satisfying, long-lasting, and perhaps, most important, no side effect-free treatment (other than to avoid the offending allergen—not very practical!) is available right now.

“Allergy shots” or immunotherapy is a different approach. The treatment consists of a series of injections of increasingly larger doses of the allergen until the body becomes desensitized to it. Immunotherapy typically takes one to five years of shots to see results.   There are also “under-the –tongue” tablets that work the same way as shots. The goal of immunotherapy is to boost a person’s tolerance of allergy triggers;  Immunotherapy is relatively close to treating the root cause of allergic rhinitis.

Eradicating The Root Cause Of Allergic Rhinitis ---Treatment From Traditional Chinese Medicine

The normal immune system does not react to pollen. The question for the clinician becomes “Why is this person’s immune system is hypersensitive to pollen, recognizing pollen as antigen?”  Another question might be “Why did this allergy suddenly arise at this time, when it had not been present before?”  Answers to these questions are related to the success of treatment.

From the point view of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lung governs the surface entrance of the body and the upper source of water. When lung qi is deficient, it cannot protect the body surface.  Pathogenic wind lodges in the nose, considered the opening orifice of the lung. Manifestations of wind in the human body includes itching. Itching nose, itching throat, and itching eyes, appear . With deficient lung qi, the upper source of water cannot be distributed efficiently. Runny nose, post nasal drip, watery eyes appear.  The diagnosis of “lung qi deficiency”, to some extent, is similar to the stressed immune system, hypersensitive and unstable, identified in Western medicine.

Why  does lung qi becomes deficient? Physical and/or mental over-exertion are the deep root of this condition. Under prolonged stress, the tightened, physical body cannot relax.  The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) term for this state is liver qi stagnation. According to the Five Elements Theory, the constrained liver wood can over counteract/insult lung metal, causing the weakness of lung qi. Meanwhile, the constrained liver wood over-controls earth spleen/stomach and causes spleen qi deficiency. Water kidney is the mother of liver wood. Sick son steals the qi from mother causing kidney qi insufficient.  With spleen and kidney qi deficiency caused by ongoing liver qi stagnation, the middle and lower sources of water distribution are disturbed. Runny nose, postnasal dripping, and watery eyes get worse. Some people are born with lung, spleen, and even kidney qi deficiency.

At the beginning of longstanding overwhelming stress, constrained live qi over stimulates heart fire and generates excess heat. The stressed person feels warm/hot, sweating, thirsty, fatigue, has dreaming or insomnia. Feels better after exercise. This situation is similar to the Western medicine neural system and endocrine system with the thyroid, and adrenal glands over-firing. More metabolic waste is produced.

At a later stage of long time liver qi stagnation, liver wood cannot generate enough heart fire. The over-stressed person feels cold inside  the body. Fatigue gets worse after exercise. This later stage is similar to hypothyroid function and/or adrenal fatigue.

From the above discussion, it is clear that physical and/or mental taxation under prolonged stress is the root cause of allergic rhinitis/hay fever.

With an understanding of the pathogenesis, TCM treatment strategies become clear. Skillfully managing mental and physical stress is the homework prescribed for the patient with allergic rhinitis. Tonifying lung, spleen, and kidney qi, resolving damp water, and soothing liver qi are the main foci of treatment by the TCM doctor and the guidance for the use of  acupuncture and natural Chinese herbs. In the meantime, clear the liver/heart heat at an earlier stage when the person feels hot,  and warm up yang in the later stage when the person feels cold.

Treating ear nose and throat is one of our specialties. Acute and chronic sinusitis is a challenge for current medicine, especially chronic sinusitis. Some people suffer from frontal headache for a long time. Lots of these are related to chronic sinusitis.

With acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbs, Our clients have achieved satisfied results.