Xylitol (Natural Compound) to Prevent Recurrent Sinus and Ear Infections?

Image by Lauri Andler from Wikipedia

I only recently became aware of a natural sugar compound called "Xylitol" from a colleague's blog, BoogorDoctor, managed by Dr. Russell Faust. I certainly have never heard of it during medical school or surgical training.

This naturally-occurring sugar substitute apparently has all sorts of anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal properties and has been known to doctors and scientists but hardly marketed or promoted in any fashion.

However, the importance of this compound is that it DOES appear to significantly decrease the incidence of ear infections and sinus infections when used regularly (in essence, xylitol mixed in with salt-water sprayed into the nose several times a day). See references below for links to research papers.

It's cheap, over-the-counter and at least from the studies I've reviewed, does seem to work. However, to be fair, it only works when given regularly even if healthy. If given when sick, it does not work (see this study). Also to be fair, there are some studies that suggest that xylitol does NOT work at all.

However, given there are minimal (if any) side effects and safe for kids, it is certainly something worth trying before surgical consideration, especially in children.

Why is this compound not more well-known?

Probably because it's cheap and therefore not a money-maker... which means not a lot of dollars goes into marketing the product whether directly to patients or doctors.

In any case, you can get it on Amazon.com here (or possibly at a local pharmacy).

I should also mention that Xlear is the only product series that uses the optimal concentration xylitol (others use only the bare minimum concentration to meet ingredient inclusion).




References:
A Story About a Sugar: The X-Factor. Blog by Dr. Faust

Xylitol as a prophylaxis for acute otitis media: systematic review. Int J Audiol. 2010 Oct;49(10):754-61.

A novel use of xylitol sugar in preventing acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 1998 Oct;102(4 Pt 1):879-84.

Xylitol chewing gum in prevention of acute otitis media: double blind randomised trial. BMJ. 1996 Nov 9;313(7066):1180-4.

Failure of xylitol given three times a day for preventing acute otitis media. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2007 May;26(5):423-7.

Xylitol administered only during respiratory infections failed to prevent acute otitis media. Pediatrics. 2002 Feb;109(2):E19.

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Saline Nasal Flush - Mayo Clinic Video

Ever since our office produced one of the first videos on saline nasal flushes back in December 5, 2007, there have a been a number of additional videos created by medical offices and companies ever since.

The most recent is Mayo Clinic which you can watch here.



Here's our video we made back in 2007.

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LA Times: Neti-Pots and Other Saline Sinus Rinses Effective

The LA Times on March 15, 2010 published a story entitled "Are neti pots on the nose?". The story describes the effectiveness of regular saline flushes to the nose in reducing as well as preventing allergy symptoms, colds, and sinus infections. Devices that can flush the nose/sinus include Neti-Pots as well as Neilmed Sinus Rinse. Electronic devices also exist (see below).

Studies support this claim.

Though patients can purchase saline packets, patients can make their own saline solution by combining one teaspoon of kosher salt and a half teaspoon of baking soda with a pint of lukewarm tap water.

Read the LA Times story here.

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Saline Nasal Sinus Irrigation Systems

I must admit... our office is a big fan of the Neilmed Sinus Rinse bottle for patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis and severe allergies as it is cheap, easy to clean, and it works. However, many patients who are already fans of flushing the nose with saline water end up purchasing saline irrigation systems. There's a bunch of these devices sold on Amazon.com. Check them out below, but I would suggest that you first become adept and able to tolerate saline flushes using the Neilmed sinus rinse bottle first prior to paying almost $100 for these devices.

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