Are There Medical Exemptions From the COVID-19 Vaccine? Yes, but They're Rare—Here's What Experts Say
Just about everyone can and should get vaccinated, but exceptions exist. While plenty of people may claim they have a medical exemption from getting vaccinated, legitimate medical exemptions are "very uncommon," William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, tells Health. What conditions could cause someone to be medically exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine? The classification is actually pretty narrow. Here's a breakdown.
Allergic sinusitis basics
It all started with a runny nose and itchy eyes after you spent some time outdoors. Days later, your nose is still stuffy and the pressure on your cheeks and forehead is so intense you can't even look around or move your head without agony. What gives?
It might be allergic sinusitis, essentially an allergy-induced sinus infection.
But it can be difficult to know since the symptoms of allergies and sinusitis share some similar traits.
Still, there are some fundamental differences in what triggers them and how you should treat them. Here's what you need to know.
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What do sinuses do?
Sinuses serve a purpose besides stirring up agony for our heads. These hollow, air-filled cavities are found within the bones behind your cheeks, forehead, nose, and eyes.
The sinuses warm and moisten air, capture particles from the air you breathe, and produce mucus, which traps bacteria and other germs to remove them from the body. At least most of the time.
When you have a cold or allergy attack, your sinuses can become inflamed and trap the mucus instead of draining it as they routinely do. That's where the trouble starts brewing—bacteria or other germs can multiply if they can't drain out of the blocked sinuses.
"The nasal congestion can sometimes lead to sinus pressure and headache. It can be part of the whole allergy complex," says Daniel Sullivan, MD, an otolaryngologist and surgeon specializing in allergies at the Health First Medical Group in Melbourne, Florida.
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What causes trouble with sinuses?
All kinds of tiny particles from every source find their way into our noses every time we breathe. Some can stir up trouble by launching inflammation in the lining of the sinuses for one person, while another may not be bothered.
Here are some risk factors or causes of sinus inflammation:
The common cold
Hay fever
Bacteria and viral infections
Fungus
Dry air, cold air, barometric pressure
Spicy food
Perfumes
Nasal polyps
Deviated septum
Symptoms of allergies vs. sinus infections
To further illustrate the differences between allergies and sinus infections, it helps to know the classic symptoms of each condition.
Allergies
People with hay fever allergies can have one or a combination of the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Mucus in the throat
Throat clearing
Itchy eyes
Watery eyes
Bloodshot eyes
Puffy eyes
Itchy nose
Itchy ears
Itchiness on the roof of the mouth
Wheezing
Sinus infection
Anyone who has had a sinus infection knows how awful the pain is in their cheeks and forehead. Unfortunately, the symptoms don't end there. You might feel one or more of the symptoms most seen in sinusitis.
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"I’m so lucky that my reaction wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”In the clip, Ellison and a friend are waiting for their hair dye to process. Then, a series of pictures of Ellison in the emergency room flashes across the screen. "Always patch test before dyeing your hair," she wrote in the TikTok, which currently has over 30 million views and more than 4 million likes.
Thick yellow-green mucus
Headache
Drippy nose
Bad tasting postnatal drip
Bad breath
Cough
Congestion
Tooth pain
Fever
Loss of taste or smell
Key differences in symptoms between nasal allergies and allergic sinusitis
There are a few clues that distinguish allergies from sinusitis. The main one is inflammation in the sinuses that can be seen on imaging tests.
"The gold standard for diagnosis of sinusitis is evidence of inflammation in the sinuses on imaging of your head," says Arthur W. Wu, MD, co-director of the Cedars-Sinai Sinus Center, and associate professor of surgery, Los Angeles, California.
Beyond that, sinusitis doesn't usually cause an itchy nose, eyes, or throat, like classic allergy symptoms. But if your temperature is trending higher, that's a sign of sinusitis on the radar.
"Fever is an obvious tip-off, as is sinus symptoms moving lower into the bronchial tree and bronchial symptoms," says Jason Sigmon, MD, an otolaryngologist with UCHealth Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
And while no one really wants to look, don't assume that yellow-green mucus means that you definitely have a sinus infection.
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Seraya Ellison told Buzzfeed after dyeing her hair her face went numb and she had chemical burns. It took five days for her symptoms to subside.Seraya Ellison's July 16 video describing what happened has been viewed over 29 million times.
"We used to think the color of nasal secretions was an indicator (clear versus discolored) of infection but that's been shown to not be reliable," says Dr. Sigmon.
Can allergies cause a sinus infection?
Allergic sinusitis is sometimes confused with nonallergic sinusitis because they share a few symptoms, namely nasal-related ones such as a stuffy nose and postnatal drip.
Still, there are some telltale signs one is allergy-related sinusitis, and one is a sinus infection due to other causes.
Nasal allergy symptoms occur due to your immune system's reaction to certain allergens, such as pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander. People with nasal allergies are more likely to get sinus infections than people who don't have allergies.
But why? When allergies are poorly managed, nasal inflammation ensues, opening the door for more trouble.
"If it's a prolonged bout where the symptoms go on for several days, it often can lead to a sinus infection or something else because the inflammation in your sinuses makes it very hospitable for organisms," says Dr. Sullivan.
Most of the time, sinusitis stems from a virus, like the common cold. Additionally, it could be from bacteria or a fungus.
Anatomical factors such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum increase the risk and irritants such as spicy foods, perfume, smoke, barometric pressure—and yes, seasonal allergies—can trigger sinusitis.
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Telling them apart comes down to a few key factors.Asthma is a chronic lung disease and symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, according to the American Lung Association. With asthma, the two bronchial tubes responsible for carrying air into and out of your lungs are inflamed and narrowed. When something like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, or mold triggers your asthma symptoms, these airways become even more swollen, and the muscles surrounding them constrict and spasm. No surprise, this makes it difficult to breathe.
Types of sinusitis
Sinusitis is either acute or chronic.
Acute sinusitis is a temporary inflammation of the sinuses due to bacteria or a virus. Typically, if symptoms resolve in less than 4 to 8 weeks, it's considered acute sinusitis.
If bacteria are causing your symptoms, you typically don't improve within ten days of getting sick or you get worse, even if you felt better early on.
When a virus is to blame, you're generally ill for less than ten days and it doesn't tend to get worse.
Chronic sinusitis typically results from prolonged inflammation because the nose and sinuses overreact to what they think is an infection. Most of the time, there isn't an infection.
However, an infection could be partially to blame if sinusitis worsens from time to time. A general rule of thumb is if you have had more than three sinus infections in a year or have symptoms that last longer than 12 weeks, it's likely chronic sinusitis.
How is sinusitis diagnosed?
An examination of the throat, nose, and sinuses are to look for the classic signs of sinusitis. Doctors are looking for nasal obstruction, nasal drainage, loss of smell, and facial pressure, Dr. Wu says.
"We also look for evidence of swelling, drainage, and inflammation when we look inside your nose."
A sinus CT scan uses a camera attached to a long and thin flexible tube inserted into the nose. It sounds like a lot, but it is painless. However, you can ask for a light anesthetic nasal spray to make it more bearable.
Mucus cultures can help identify what is causing the infection. Doctors take samples from the nose or directly from the sinuses. If a bacteria is present, doctors prescribe antibiotics for the specific bacteria type.
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If a fungus is found in a culture, anti-fungal agents are the treatment, not antibiotics.
If you are diagnosed with an allergic fungal sinus infection (meaning an allergic reaction to fungi), doctors use oral steroids treat it, as these types of infections don't respond to anti-fungal agents.
Biopsies may be done when certain fungal infections are suspected of spreading to the bones. It also confirms a rare disorder called immotile cilia syndrome, which causes recurrent chronic sinus infection, bronchitis, and pneumonia
The best way to prevent allergy-related sinusitis is to stop seasonal allergies in their tracks by avoiding or at least mitigating your exposure. And you should take these steps to reduce or eliminate indoor allergies if things like dust, mold, and pet dander wage war on your nose.
Still, there might be times when allergy symptoms trigger inflammation of the sinuses. So what do you do if you're dealing with allergies and sinusitis?
The best option for relief is with anti-inflammatory therapy. "This can include saline sinus irrigations and nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase or Rhinocort," Dr. Sigmon says.
OTC pain relievers fit the bill for pain and fever. However, if bacteria are present, cross-over allergy medicines appropriate for allergy and sinus infections are best. Nasal steroid sprays, sinus or nasal saline rinses, and decongestants, along with antibiotics to kill the bacteria, should do the trick.
Just stay away from antihistamines. Yes, they are the gold standard to relieve allergy symptoms, but they'll make everything worse when you have a sinus infection.
"One way of thinking about this is visualizing fluid and infection being trapped or filled in your sinuses, and it is trying to get out. You don't want to dry this up with antihistamines and make it hang around longer," says Dr. Sigmon.
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While you wait for the medicines to kick in and the inflammation to settle, try relaxing in a steamy shower, use a warm compress on your face, or try these other soothing home remedies for relief.
Now that you know about allergic sinusitis, check out what to know about hay fever.
Even if you're not eating a completely plant-based diet, chances are you're looking for new ways to add flavor to your favorite roasted veggies, stir-fries, and salad dressings.
If you haven't tried sesame oil yet, you might be pleasantly surprised.
And you have your choice between sesame oil, primarily used for cooking, and toasted sesame oil. The latter is darker and has a yummy nutty flavor. It's pretty potent, so it's most often used as a condiment.
Here's a closer look at sesame oil nutrition, the smoke point and how to use it for cooking, and the health benefits
The sesame plant is just over three feet tall, but it sure yields a wealth of uses. It thrives in hot and dry conditions. The top three sesame seed oil growing countries are China, Myanmar, and India.
The elongated pods that grow on plants hold the coveted edible seeds. During harvest time, the stalks are bundled, and the seeds are hulled and cleaned from the pods. From there, they go through an electronic sorter.
The seeds that are off-size or immature are used for sesame oil production. The toasted variety is pressed from roasted sesame seeds, giving it a darker color and nutty flavor.
Seeds pressed into oil without using heat are sold as "sesame oil." This lighter-colored variety is relatively bland and often used for salad dressing or cooking.
Sesame seeds have a myriad of possibilities once they leave the seed pod. Besides sesame oils, the seeds are a tasty topping for everything from salads to breads.
Sesame oil is also in perfumes, cosmetics, creams, lubricants, insecticides, fungicides, and solvents for intramuscular injections.
Fats come in different varieties. Some are better (or worse) for our health. So when it comes to cooking oils, the first thing most of us ask is how bad is it for you?
The good news is sesame oil is rich in "heart healthy" polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats.
Still, too much of a good thing applies with sesame oil. One tablespoon is 120 calories.
Here's some notable nutrition facts for one tablespoon of sesame oil, according to the USDA's Food Composite Database.
Calories: 120
Saturated fats: 1.93 grams
Monounsaturated fats: 5.4 grams
Polyunsaturated fats: 5.67 grams
Vitamin E: 0.19 milligrams
Vitamin K: 1.85 micrograms
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Sesame oil may help improve heart health
About that heart health—sesame oil contains a pretty balanced ratio of omega-3, omega-6 (polyunsaturated), and omega-9 (monounsaturated) fatty acids.
Research in Nutrition Journal found that a diet containing these healthy fats lowers your risk of developing heart disease. Sesame oil may also help improve clogged arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
In a 2018 study published in Nature's Scientific Reports, mice were treated with sesame oil for 30 days and later fed a high-fat diet. The mice developed less plaque buildup compared to the mice who didn't receive sesame oil extract.
Another small study in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine had 48 adults consume either four tablespoons of sesame oil or olive oil a day for one month.
Researchers found that those who had sesame oil daily saw greater reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides than those who had olive oil.
It's important to note eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, avoiding stress, and other healthy lifestyle choices are your best defense in preventing heart disease.
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeast.
Candida is a yeast that normally lives on our skin, in our mouth, and inside the body without causing a fuss most of the time, but it can get out of control when the conditions are right.
The linoleic acid and oleic acids in sesame oil show antifungal activity against Candidiasisin humans and the harmful fungus on plants, per the Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Botanicals with sesame oil may be used to treat Candidiasis.
Free radicals aren't something we want freely running about in our bodies.
Certain substances like alcohol, tobacco smoke, pesticides, air pollutants, and the food we eat generate free radicals. When there are too many, it causes oxidative stress, which damages DNA, cells, and proteins, leading to inflammatory conditions, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and cancer.
Antioxidants found in foods such as sesamol and sesaminol found in sesame oil can help defend against free radical damage.
A Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research study found after thirty days of ingesting sesamol reduced neurological deficits and restored brain motor activities in rats following an induced heart injury. Sesamol shows promise as an antioxidant, but human aren't rats, so more studies are necessary to confirm the link.
Catching zzz's doesn't come easy for all of us. Sleep experts say a consistent sleep routine can help us ease into snooze town. A healthy bedtime routine with relaxation techniques to quiet the mind and calm the body can help set us up for a good night's sleep.
Self-massage is a fundamental part of an Ayurvedic health regimen, and sesame oil has a benefit for your skin.
Rubbing a teaspoon of sesame oil into your feet may help reduce pain and inflammation and help you get a more restful night's sleep, per the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Just be sure to put on a pair of socks after you apply the oil to prevent slipping.
Have you ever wondered how our ancestors cleaned their teeth before toothbrushes were invented? Some may have used tree bark or sticks, fish bones, or even porcupine quills. No wonder some of our ancestors went with oil pulling to keep their mouths clean. They may have been on to something.
A small study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research looked at 20 teens with gingivitis swishing with mouthwash or sesame oil for ten days. Both methods reduced the number of harmful bacteria.
According to another small study in the Nigerian Medical Journal, 60 people were divided into three groups and tried either oil pulling, mouthwash, and distilled water.
Oil pulling was found to be safe and may reduce the number of harmful bacteria in saliva that can lead to cavities as effectively as a mouthwash.
Every now and then, constipation happens. Drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of high-fiber fruits and veggies usually keep us fairly regular. But a vacation from our routine—including an actual vacation—can leave us constipated. Over-the-counter laxatives can be harsh on your tummy and unpredictable.
Oils such as sesame, olive, and flaxseed help lubricate bowels and help relieve constipation, but swallowing an oily substance might not appeal to everyone, per the Journal of Renal Nutrition.
Sesame seeds might be a better option for you and just as effective, according to a study published in the International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology. The oily composition of sesame seeds adds moisturize to the intestines, which can help if dry and painful stools keep you plugged up.
Another sesame oil benefit is that it can help get things moving again. Sprinkle sesame seeds on salads or grind them up in a coffee grinder and use them as a seasoning. Amp up your effort and drink plenty of water with them.
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Sesame oil helps nourish your hair
We've heard a lot about collagen for hair, but sesame oil? Why not head to your pantry instead of the shampoo aisle for your next hair pampering session?
Sesame oil contains vitamin E, one of the essential nutrients that nourish your hair and scalp, per the Global Journal of Health Science.
Try gently massaging a bit of sesame oil (not the toasted variety) into your hair. Then, sit back, relax, and leave it on your hair for about 30 minutes, and shampoo as usual for a damaged-hair home remedy.
You might be wondering if sesame and toasted sesame oil can take the heat like other oils.
Sesame oil can withstand temps up to 410 degrees, a high smoke point that makes it a good choice for roasting or frying. Its nutty cousin, toasted sesame oil, has a lower smoke point of about 350.
Besides the awful smell and bitter taste, burnt oil isn't good for our health, according to research in BMC Public Health.
Once an oil starts to burn and pass the smoke point, the fat in the oil breaks down and releases free radicals. As we mentioned earlier, sesame oil can help fight free radicals, but not if you burn it.
What's the difference between toasted and regular sesame oil in cooking?
Plain sesame oil is a good cooking oil because it has almost no color, flavor, or scent. It won't overpower or compete with the flavors of other foods. It's also good for frying, especially combined with another oil.
Toasted sesame oil is generally used more sparingly. Its toasty and nutty flavor is a popular flavor enhancer in Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern foods. Just a little splash turns ordinary noodles, stir-fries, grains, vegetables, and salads into yummy sides dishes.
One of the outstanding features of sesame oil is its long shelf life. That's due to sesamol, one of the antioxidants in sesame oil.
You should store sesame oil in a cool, dark place. Store any seed oil in the refrigerator to help stave off rancidity. (On the other hand, you should never keep these foods in the fridge.)
The post 9 Things You Should Know About Allergic Sinusitis appeared first on The Healthy.
Here’s What Asthma Symptoms Really Feel Like During an Attack .
And how to keep them in check.Scary, right? That’s what it feels like for the 20 million adults in the U.S. with asthma during an “asthma exacerbation”—otherwise known as an asthma attack, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Just about everyone can and should get vaccinated, but exceptions exist. While plenty of people may claim they have a medical exemption from getting vaccinated, legitimate medical exemptions are "very uncommon," William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, tells Health. What conditions could cause someone to be medically exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine? The classification is actually pretty narrow. Here's a breakdown. 
Read on for 10 of the riskiest places to go right now—and to ensure your health and the health of others, be careful before going there. 
Everything you want to know about those annoying seasonal sniffles. While some people experience allergy symptoms year-round, others experience a spike during certain parts of the year, like spring, summer, or early fall. When a person experiences more of these allergy symptoms depends on what they're allergic to. 
"I’m so lucky that my reaction wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”In the clip, Ellison and a friend are waiting for their hair dye to process. Then, a series of pictures of Ellison in the emergency room flashes across the screen. "Always patch test before dyeing your hair," she wrote in the TikTok, which currently has over 30 million views and more than 4 million likes. 
Seraya Ellison told Buzzfeed after dyeing her hair her face went numb and she had chemical burns. It took five days for her symptoms to subside.Seraya Ellison's July 16 video describing what happened has been viewed over 29 million times. 
Telling them apart comes down to a few key factors.Asthma is a chronic lung disease and symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, according to the American Lung Association. With asthma, the two bronchial tubes responsible for carrying air into and out of your lungs are inflamed and narrowed. When something like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, or mold triggers your asthma symptoms, these airways become even more swollen, and the muscles surrounding them constrict and spasm. No surprise, this makes it difficult to breathe. 
Recent public health crises, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic, have overshadowed a longer-standing problem in the United States — obesity. 
And how to keep them in check.Scary, right? That’s what it feels like for the 20 million adults in the U.S. with asthma during an “asthma exacerbation”—otherwise known as an asthma attack, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 
