The health effects of mold are well studied but not well known by many people. Mold in the home can lead to allergic reactions, asthma, respiratory conditions, and mold-related illnesses like CIRS. To control mold you have to control moisture. This is easier said than done for many individuals – especially those living in older houses or houses that were not constructed properly to avoid leaks. Some individuals are more…

Cromolyn sodium is an FDA approved mast cell stabilizer that is prescribed to treat mastocytosis, allergic rhinitis, and mild to moderate bronchial asthma. It is sometimes prescribed off-label to manage food allergies. The only oral manufactured form available is a solution. For mastocytosis, cromolyn has been shown to improve diarrhea, flushing, headaches, vomiting, itching, abdominal pain, and nausea. History of Cromolyn Cromolyn was discovered by Roger Altounyan, a medical researcher…

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a rare condition that sometimes is misdiagnosed. There are various resources online that discuss MCAS, its causes, and treatments. However some of these resources have an overly broad scope of what is classified as MCAS. Many patients have some type of mast cell activation issue but do not have MCAS. The diagnosis of MCAS is difficult as it is associated with a variety of…

Many years ago, all pharmacies engaged in compounding medications. Over time, with the increase in manufacturing of prescription medications and the oversight of the FDA, compounding became more of a “niche” service for particular patient populations. A modern compounding pharmacy now makes formulations that help fill the gaps in treatment where a suitable commercially available medication is not available. These formulations often complement FDA-approved medications and do not just replace…

The chelating agent EDTA has been used in medications and personal care formulations for many years. This ingredient can be found in numerous household products like shampoos, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and more. It is also often prescribed to be used intranasally as a biofilm disrupter, which means it is able to break apart the biofilm that harbors bacteria in the nasal passages. This is essential for treating stubborn infections that…

What is mold and what are its effects on the body? There are various misconceptions about mold, its types, and its effects. Mold is a type of fungus that includes a large variety of species. Most kinds of mold can be distinguished from other fungi by the soft, fuzzy appearance on the surface. This is caused by the networking of hyphae that connect the organism and distinguish mold from other…

Drs. Jonathan Liang and Andrew Lane state in their article on topical drug delivery for chronic rhinosinusitis: “While the introduction of endoscopic sinus surgery revolutionized surgical management and has led to significantly improved patient outcomes, medical therapy remains the foundation of long-term care of chronic rhinosinusitis, particularly in surgically recalcitrant cases. … The goal of topical therapy is to address the inflammation, infection, and mucociliary dysfunction that underlies the disease.”…

The debate between the benefits of natural vs. synthetic treatments sometimes plays out without considering scientific evidence. For most patients, a treatment that is natural or that involves a change in diet is more desirable than taking a synthetic medication. However, medications that are synthesized in labs provide help to millions of people every day. To the healthcare providers that prescribe these medications, the benefits outweigh the risks. Cholestyramine is…

The path from diagnose of a biotoxin illness through treatment and recovery can be a long and difficult one. Dr. Shoemaker’s discoveries in the late 1990s were the beginning of a wider recognition of CIRS and biotoxin-related health conditions. Over the years, many other doctors have added to the research and have improved treatment protocols. Despite this, there is widespread lack of acceptance of mold-related illnesses by the majority of…

Silver has been used for hundreds of years to treat infections and prevent the spread of bacteria. The toxicity of silver to human cells is low compared to its toxicity to bacterial cells which makes it especially effective for this purpose. Until recently, hospitals in the United States put silver eye drops in infants’ eyes to prevent conjunctivitis. It is still used in hospitals in everything from bandages to catheters…