Healthy Alternatives

by Susie Cooper, ND
Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy

Q. Thank you for taking the time to read my question. For the past three months my tongue burns everytime I eat and/or drink, but only when I eat and/or drink. I have looked almost everywhere on the internet and the only thing I can find is something called BMS or "burning mouth syndrome." I am only 31 years old, younger then what is the norm. If there is anything you know that can shed light on this, please help. Thank You, Melissa

My throat is constantly swolen but doesn't hurt. This doesn't bother me that much except that it causes my ears to pop and feel plugged for no reason. I have seasonal allergies and I live in a town with extremely bad air quality. Could my swolen throat be caused by these things? I'm thinking of moving but what can I do in the meantime? Thanks for your help. -Ruby

I have stopped consumption of dairy foods, but this has not eliminated the tendency I have toward congestion and stuffy sinus. Are there other foods that may be contributing? -Yvonne

I have been having post nasal drip for the last nine years. The only thing I found that worked was when I was on antibiotics for something else. Would kali bichromium work? I want something that will dry it up.

A. As I read each of these questions, one possible cause went through my mind: allergies. (The number of questions I receive from this column pertaining to allergies and sinus problems far outweigh any other topic, which means that there are far too many people suffering with allergy/sinus problems out there in the world!) Allergic symptoms can develop in many ways, and the body can express allergies in a variety of ways. Each body system is connected to others, therefore what happens in one system may greatly effect another. If air pollution is a concern, the respiratory system can develop allergic symptoms such as breathing difficulties, asthma, chronic cough, chronic sinus congestion and drainage, burning, itching, sneezing, watery and burning eyes . . . the list goes on and on. A swollen throat may definately be a part of the allergy problem which already exists due to air pollution. Ongoing congestion in the sinuses may definately also be linked with allergies, along with post-nasal drip. Other allergy causes may be foods (especially dairy), chemicals, air pollution, animal dander, mold, dust, seasonal pollens, etc.

I am trained as a naturopath and a classical homeopath. I have studied classical homeopathy since 1991 and I know I will be a student of this amazing natural healing science for the rest of my life. We treat the individual, not the disease. We ask alot of questions. We strive to find out the exact details of a person's situation, to help address and possibly define the underlying cause of the symptoms or disease. If any of you came in to my office, I would address each of your situations differently. I would ask a long series of questions such as:

• When did it start?
• What makes it better?
• What makes it worse?
• What time of day will it be worse or better?
• How does warmth or cold effect your problem?
• Describe to me what it feels like? any pain, etc?
• Drainage? Color of drainage?
• Any unusual food cravings lately?
• Any foods that you notice will aggravate the situation?
• How do you feel emotionally about it?
• History of other illnesses?
• How well do you sleep?
  
  . . . on and on and on . . .

It takes time to really understand a person's case from a homeopathic perspective, but once we can get the entire "picture" of that individual and choose a single remedy to begin the process, it moves on from there. When I teach my workshops in beginning (acute) homeopathy, I am always excited to see people start to realize this truth: that we treat the individual, not the symptoms alone. Of course, we look at all the symptoms to understand the uniqueness of what is happening with the person's illness, but we look beyond them and take in the bigger picture of the person to treat on that level. We treat the constitution. A process then begins to unfold over time which addresses and supports the healing abilities in the person themself. The remedies treat and support the life-energy, the life force . . . called the Vital Force by homeopaths . . . also called Chi, Prana, Orgone energy and various other names depending upon which part of the world you come from. It is all the same wonderful thing. The Vital Force is that which is breathed into the body/self, the vibrational "glue", if you will, which unites our deepest spiritual self with the physical body and animates us with the life we feel each day. It contains the personal key of wellness and the amazing ability to heal for the individual, and will communicate to "us" by way of symptoms on all levels as it struggles to be heard and understood.

So, what does all this have to do with "allergies and sinus congestion?" Everything, from the perspective of a classical homeopath. A good homeopathic practitioner can also help you address possibilities for other sensitivities which may be causing the problem, such as the question about the burning mouth syndrome. There is obviously some cause behind this symptom, and by having your case fully understood perhaps some allergy sensitivity (foods, chemicals, etc.) may make itself apparent. (You can also have food and chemical allergy tests done to determine sensitivities. Some alternative practitioners such as chiropractors or alternative clinics offer testings to determine such allergies.) Knowing what the catalyst which seems to set off your symptoms is, and then perhaps adjusting your daily diet or avoiding chemicals, etc, which aggravate them, will help to move the healing in the right direction. But the main help can ultimately come from the right constitutionally-chosen homeopathic remedy just for you, by a good homeopathic practitioner. In my experience, it is the deepest way to treat all levels (body, emotions and mind) to begin the process of rebalancing.

Check out some of my previous columns under the "Health & Healing" section on the website for more information about foods which are known to aggravate respiratory, sinus and allergy problems.

For more information about how to find a classical homeopath in your area:

The National Center for Homeopathy
Phone: 703-548-7790
Toll Free: 877-624-0613
www.homeopathic.org

Reading List:

Everybody?s Guide to Homeopathic Medicine by Cummings & Ullman
Homeopathic Self Care by Ullman & Ullman
The Magical Staff by Matthew Wood
The Family Guide to Homeopathy by A. Lockie
Homeopathic Medicine at Home by Panos and Heimlich