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Good bacteria in the nose may help fight sinus problems in a similar way to how probiotics may treat certain intestinal problems.
Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily
Some chronic sinus problems may be caused by a depletion of "good" bacteria and the presence of "bad" bacteria in the sinuses, a new study says.
The findings suggest adding back some of these good bacteria to the sinuses may help treat the condition, analogous to the way probiotics may treat certain intestinal problems.
In the study, the researchers analyzed the populations of bacteria present in the sinuses of 10 people with chronic sinus problems, known as chronic rhinosinusitis, and 10 healthy people. They identified the bacteria species by looking at their genes.
People with chronic sinus problems had fewer types of bacteria in their sinuses compared with healthy people, and a significant reduction in bacteria that produce lactic acid. In addition, they had an increase in a bacteria species called C. tuberculostearicum.
When the researchers gave mice antibiotics to eliminate the normal bacteria in their sinuses, and then gave them C. tuberculostearicum, the mice developed symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.
However, mice that received the lactic acid bacteria L. sakei in addition to C. tuberculostearicum did not develop symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.
The findings add to a growing body of research showing that the bacterial community in the human body as a whole, and not the presence of a single harmful species, is responsible for the development of certain diseases, the researchers said.
The findings also suggest L. sakei could be used to treat or prevention of chronic sinus problems, the researchers said.
The study is published Sept. 12 in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Although C. tuberculostearicum on its own has not been considered to be a harmful organism, the new findings suggest it has a role in the development of sinus problems.C. tuberculostearicum may become problematic only when the normal bacterial population of the sinuses undergoes a change, the researchers said.
A change in sinus bacteria may occur after a viral infection, or when a patient is given antibiotics.
Patients commonly receive antibiotics for sinus infections, but the findings suggest a more appropriate therapy would be providing them with "good" bacteria, the researchers said.
Because the study was small, further research is needed to confirm the results. In addition, all sinus patients in the study had severe disease, and were undergoing surgery for their condition. It's possible that other people with sinus problems have different bacteria or fungal infections, the researchers said.
Other causes of chronic sinus problems include nasal tumors, allergic reactions or complications of immune system diseases, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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I would not stop taking those
antibiotics yet on the basis of this study...( or those steroids
either,) very preliminary stuff. But it does point to the function of
fundamental homeostasis and how little we really understand about our
bodies drive to return always to a predetermined steady-state. It is,
on the other hand, high time that antibiotics are treated in a manner
that is in line with their great potential for both harm and good. In
the vernacular its time to stop acting like they are candy, and it's
Christmas. It is unconscionable with what WE DO KNOW NOW to use
antibiotics as prophylaxis in agriculture, and to dump them wholesale
into every product that one buys at the supermarket.
Then why do ENT docs recommend flushing sinuses with sterile saline? Wouldn't that further reduce bacteria? Adding "good" bacteria doesn't always help. I tried probiotics for my IBS and it just made it worse. I'll wait for more studies on this approach to chronic sinusitis resistant to treatment and surgery.
They recommend sterile saline to flush your nose because it is sterile so it won't cause an infection and it is isotonic so it won't hurt your nasal tissues. The flushing can help remove mucous, debri, allergens, viruses, etc. and help hydrate your nasal passages. The bacterial flora (population) won't be changed significantly by irrigation with saline. To do that you would have to treat with antibiotics that the existing bacterial flora are sensitive to and then innoculate with different species of bacteria and allow them to grow up.
I have found simply saline works best for my allergies and sinus problems. I am afraid to use a neti pot and the saline works better than any allergy pill I ever took!
My sinus problem began at 19 years old when I had my tonsils removed. I think the doc may have botched the surgery because he told me he had to out 13 stitches in my throat. I doubt if good bacteria will help.
A Nettie pot was a lifesaver for me. It is critical to use clean water ( tap may have deadly stuff in it), clean pot, and correct amount of salt is critical for a less unpleasant experience. Never do it drunk.
Also, allow time for things to drain. Sometimes it just starts running out at an inopportune time, sometimes up to an hour later.
The benefits for me are:
Brewing Storm... "Never do it drunk"... oh my gargoyles THANK YOU for the best laugh today. I'll remember that!
Could someone please tell me who did this study? What university, department and even names would b great.
Thanks!
Could someone tell me who did this study? University, department and/or names would be great.
Thanks!
Looking on PubMed/Medline, there are numerous studies on bacteria and sinus/allergy - so who knows which study this article is referencing. Good reporting would have included the original study.
The eradication of good bacteria from our systems leading to health problems is not a new idea - there are many who think our obsession with germs, bacteria, etc. and being "clean" has led to us being sicker. Not all bacteria is bad and our bodies need it for normal functioning.
I have had sinus problems my whole life. I swear by Netti Pots or saline washes.
Just DO NOT USE normal tap water straight out of the faucet. I bought a Zerowater pitcher just for filtered water for rinsing my sinuses and it works great! Lukewarm water works the best.
I discovered this about 3 years ago and wish I had discovered this 30 years ago.
Twice a day, morning and night, and I can't remember my last sinus headache or last time I took any sinus medication.
I just had surgery that was supposed to help my sinuses. It was great for about a month, but now I'm right back where I was with the sinus headaches :/ They're so miserable! I do the sinus rinses every night, but they've never seemed to help. I'd gladly put some bacteria up there if it provided some relief, but I'm sure we're years away from that possibilty.