FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What differentiates the Silver Membership from the Gold Membership?
The Silver Membership is FREE and offers the Quick Fix treatment program for sinus infections and colds. Anyone who has had a sinus infection or cold or has one now should sign up for this free program.
The Gold Membership is dedicated for sinus sufferers who have frequent sinus symptoms, allergies and/or multiple sinus infections. What sets the full Sinus Survival Program apart is that it educates on “Why you are having these symptoms” and it delivers the solutions to “Target the underlying ROOT CAUSES of your symptoms”. By eliminating the factors that cause the symptoms, you can eliminate having the symptoms in the first place.” The Gold program provides the same program that Dr. Rob Ivker advises in his personal one-to-one patient appointments. It provides 30 years of research and discovery with premium content including the Sinus Survival Tutorial Series and the Step-by-Step Sinus Survival Guide for recurrent sinus sufferers to target their ROOT CAUSES and eliminate symptoms. It is the full integrative program which includes a complete video series and 10 Step Component program to feel great again. Many past sufferer’s have called this program “Life Changing”.
Is there a good way to test to see if I have candida?
There is no reliable lab test that we have found, but the Candida Questionnaire has been a very reliable part of Dr. Ivker’s process for years. It is estimated that over 80% of the adult population has some form of candida overgrowth. Over 95% of chronic sinus sufferers will usually always have a candida overgrowth or fungal situation. Take the Dr. Crook’s Candida Questionnaire. If you score high on this test it is recommended that you follow the Gold Tutorial and Sinus Survival Guidebook. Many find that using this step-by-step program along with the coaching of a trained Respiratory Healer is an effective approach. Candida is a very challenging condition to eliminate unless you follow the recommended process. We have placed the Dr. Crook’s Questionnaire is on the Free Silver Member site and Gold Members site.
Where can I find a doctor in my area that is familiar with the Sinus Survival Program?
A network of Respiratory Healers continues to expand. A trained practitioner is well versed in the proven Sinus Survival program which has helped thousands of individuals, some with the most chronic cases, to at a minimum receive great relief and for many eliminate their condition.
See Doctor Referral Network
How does a physician get certified or how can my doctor get certified to offer the program?
Send an email to: info@sinussurvival.com or contact us at 1-888-434-0033. A Respiratory Healer Consultant will contact you or your physician about getting started or to respond with more info.
Does Dr. Ivker still see patients?
Yes. Dr. Ivker has a hectic schedule with the center as well as his Fully Alive Medicine Practice. You can schedule an appointment or a phone consultation at www.fullyalivemedicine.com.
Is there any difference between your books and the on-line tutorials?
Yes. The tutorials and Gold membership provide a video education and step-by-step program guide with the latest up-to-date information. It is also designed for today’s busy person to implement the program and to have at your disposal from any computer. Also the Gold Membership provides periodic Gold Member Discounts and incredible content which we could not deliver in any book.
In most cases individuals have had great breakthroughs by following the Tutorial programs. Also, many practitioners ask their patients to watch the Tutorials because they are an invaluable education to help take control of the patient’s affliction. The Tutorials are not meant to replace a qualified Physician or Practitioner who is certified in Respiratory Healing. For chronic sufferers, there are usually many factors that are playing into their condition. A trained practitioner should be relied upon to help diagnose and prescribe the proper treatment program.
The Tutorial is a great learning tool – interactive, fast, efficient and easily updated. It is like having a health coach at your disposal and in your home, without having to set up an appointment. For those who want even more personal guidance, a phone consultation or an in-person office appointment should also be arranged.
Sinus Surgery – I’ve had chronic sinusitis for many months (or years) and my doctor is recommending sinus surgery. Do you think it’s necessary?
That is not a question that can be answered without knowing the background and condition of the patient. The most common answer is, No! Dr. Ivker would state to anyone that is being recommended to undergo sinus surgery to first speak with a certified Respiratory Healer who is certified in the Sinus Survival program. Many sufferers who had been told that they needed surgery have successfully conquered their dis-ease by following the Sinus Survival program. Also, sinus sufferers who have had sinus surgery who did not achieve the results that they were hoping for have found those results by following the Sinus Survival program.
The statistics of those who religiously follow the Sinus Survival program is a 92.5% success rate. That is a success rate without conducting invasive and expensive surgery and usually without taking devastating antibiotics.
There are instances where surgery can be quite helpful, especially in people with large nasal polyps. If your sinuses are filled with polyps or cysts that are blocking the ostia (sinus drainage ducts), then I would recommend surgery. But then to prevent them from recurring, which often occurs, begin the Sinus Survival Program following the surgery.
Sinus surgery should always be considered a last resort, when all else has failed. But unfortunately, for many ENT physicians (otolaryngologists or sinus surgeons), “all else” usually refers to multiple courses of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The reason most often given to justify nasal/sinus surgery is a deviated nasal septum, the “dividing wall” between the two nostrils. The majority of people in our society have a deviated septum to some degree, but most of them do not have sinus problems. It is important to realize that if you have a deviated septum, it has been that way for most of your life; but most likely you’ve had sinus infections only in recent years. The septum is therefore not usually the cause of your problem. It is the swollen and inflamed mucous membranes covering the septum and the other sides of your nostrils (the turbinates) that are responsible for preventing your sinuses from draining. If a deviated septum is the reason given for surgery, I’d postpone the surgery and diligently follow the Sinus Survival Program. An aggressive approach to treating candida/fungal sinusitis would be extremely helpful if you consider yourself a candidate. After treating yourself for one to two months, if your condition is unchanged (which is highly unlikely), you can then choose the surgical option, knowing that you’ve “given it your best shot.”
Do I still need to take antibiotics for every sinus infection?
No. Sinus infections can be treated effectively without antibiotics, if you strictly adhere to the Sinus Survival Program (SSP). Our SSP members have had incredible results utilizing a proven all-natural solution proven more effective and without the side effects. Sinus Survival followers report feeling better in days, not weeks. Also, with a natural solution, you will not disturb the balance of your Gastro-Intestinal tract. The products recommended: Allimed (known as physician strength), take 2 with meals 3x a day for 1o days. Also AlliUltra, which is a lower dosage, can be used effectively, especially with a cold. AlliUltra has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold to 1.5 days versus the average cold which can last for over a week.
Antibiotics have played an increased role in making the chronic sufferer worse over time. In the program you will learn how to treat your patients with a therapeutic program to begin to strengthen the immune system while eliminating the symptoms brought on by the many factors including antibiotics.
What is Benzalkonium Chloride?
It is a chemical preservative that is used in some nasal sprays, like Ocean Nasal Spray, one of the most widely prescribed by doctors. The chemical has been banned in some European countries and has been shown to be harmful to skin, eyes and nasal membranes and the aggravation of rhinitis medicamentosa. Read nasal sprays below for more information.
Questions about the Sinus Survival Spray:
1. What are the ingredients?
We have recently introduced a new formulation of the Sinus Survival Spray. The greatest strength of the Sinus Survival Program for treating, preventing, and curing acute, chronic, and fungal sinusitis has always been its effectiveness in reducing and eliminating the chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the entire respiratory tract.
With the addition of the herbs Calendula and Yarrow Leaf to the previous ingredients – Aloe Vera and Grapefruit Seed Extract – the new spray is far more effective in reducing inflammation than the old version. We have deleted both Goldenseal (an endangered herb) and Alcohol from the new formula. The increased amount of Grapefruit Seed Extract in the new spray acts as both a preservative as well as an effective anti-fungal agent (this will be beneficial for those of you suffering with fungal sinusitis/candida/yeast overgrowth).
2. How much is in the bottle? 1.5 ounces or 45milliliters.
3. How often do I need to use the Spray? Every 2 to 3 hours or more often in especially dry or polluted conditions.
Should I be concerned with preservatives in nasal sprays?
Dr. Ivker, “Yes. As a doctor of holistic medicine and physician healer, I subscribe to the teaching of Hippocrates: “Do no harm.” My treatment programs are both safe and effective. I have for many years been concerned about the preservatives used in both our food and health products. In recent years, there have been numerous studies demonstrating the harmful side effects of the most popular nasal preservative, Benzalkonium Chloride, as well as some others. This chemical is also an active microbial agent (prevents the growth of bacteria), which has contributed to its wide popularity. Countries in Europe, such as Germany, have banned the use of this preservative. The studies suggest that the preservative promotes ciliostasis (paralyzes the cilia) and thereby reduces mucociliary transport. This process ultimately weakens the mucous membranes lining the nose which in turn can create greater susceptibility to infection. Other effects of this and other similar preservatives include dryness, irritation, and inflammation of the nasal cavities. My advice to all of my patients is to utilize an all-natural natural (without chemical preservatives) nasal spray as well as a natural rinse when irrigating your sinuses”.
We have provided a few links below for your review on this topic:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10629450?dopt=Abstract
www.volker-noelle.com/hq/side-effects.shtml
www.buygreenstandards.com/toxicant_list.htm
www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/10629450?prt=true
What vitamin, herb, and supplement dosages do you recommend for children?
There is a treatment plan for children with Sinus Survival.
Questions about the Sinus Survival Air Vitalizer:
1. How big an area will it clean?
Approximately 150 to 200 square feet; about the size of a large bedroom.
2. Can I move it from room to room?
Yes, it’s small and quite mobile.
3. Is it quiet?
Yes, completely silent. The SS Air Vitalizer emits 3 trillion ions per second, but there is no fan.
4. Is there a filter, and does it emit ozone?
No and no. Negative-ion generators were originally designed to restore a more natural and beneficial level of negative ions to indoor air. In the course of their use for biological benefit, it was discovered that free-floating ions quickly attach to airborne particles and cause them to agglomerate and precipitate from the air, or be drawn to grounded surfaces such as walls, metal surfaces, etc. Ionizers are highly effective air cleaners, removing particles as small as .001 micron, which would include viruses, dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, and all other airborne particulate pollutants. Compared to air cleaners with fans or blowers (and filters), ionizers are more likely to be operated full-time since they are totally silent and consume only pennies of electricity per month.
However, many negative-ion generators produce ozone, which is a significant irritant to the mucous membrane. In order to increase the speed with which an ionizer cleans the air, many manufacturers also produce ionizers with excessive ion output. This has two undesirable effects: (1) The ion density established by these ionizers exceeds many times the natural range found outdoors, resulting in much the same adverse effects as breathing air with too few negative ions. A well-designed negative-ion generator, such as the Sinus Survival Air Vitalizer, generates enough ions to be effective but does not exceed an upper limit that would make it biologically undesirable. (2) An excessively high ion density also causes a significant amount of pollutants to be driven to the walls and other grounded surfaces, resulting in the buildup of a dirty residue. Again, a well-designed ion generator minimizes such “plating,” and this effect can be further reduced by placing the ionizer at least two feet from the nearest wall.
5. Can I use it along with a humidifier?
Yes.
How can I prevent sinus infections when I travel?
This problem seems to be increasingly common. It’s probably a result of a combination of factors – extremely unhealthy cabin air in addition to a weakened immune system. Prolonged exposure to the air in aircraft is becoming one of our most significant health risk factors. Fortunately, all flights are now smoke-free, but the air is still filled with the viruses and bacteria of our fellow travelers, and very low – nearly devoid – of negative ions. When you combine this factor with extreme dryness, which is an irritant to the mucous membrane, it’s easy to see why prolonged exposure to the infections of the other travelers poses a challenge to our defense systems. The lining of the mucous membrane is our chief protection against upper respiratory infections – colds and sinus infections. Secondarily we are protected by the immune system. However, the stress of travel, often coupled by the lack of sleep, can significantly weaken your resistance to infection.
To prevent illness while traveling you should focus on minimizing both risk factors.
1). To strengthen the immune system,
2). To help maintain optimal function of your mucous membranes
The Quick Answer is to:
- Take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C a few hours before traveling. Take 500 mg a day when you travel.
- Bring an AirVitalizer with you when you travel. Plug it in when you first reach your hotel room.
Follow the full Air Travel Tips in the Gold Membership Program
How important is Nasal Irrigation?
Nasal irrigation can potentially be the most therapeutic measure in completely eliminating a sinus infection. It can help quickly and dramatically. I’ve heard from people who have had an infection for months, and within two days of beginning irrigation, the infection was gone and did not return, even if irrigation was not continued beyond a few days.
If the problem is chronic sinusitis, the mucous membranes may have been inflamed and irritated for years, with the cilia badly damaged. In this case, daily irrigation is an essential part of the Sinus Survival Program for healing the membranes and preventing further infection. The bathing of the membranes with salt water keeps them moist and eliminates pollutants and particles usually removed by the cilia. While irrigation in this instance helps temporarily (just while you’re doing it), it also has the long-term benefit of helping the membranes return to normal.
We recommend a pulsating device, the Sinupulse Elite.
In severe cases of chronic sinusitis where biofilm (a layer of thick mucus) is evident, pulsatile lavage is highly effective at breaking down biofilm. The recent recognition of biofilm has helped to explain one of the key contributing factors to the difficulty of successfully treating chronic sinusitis and severe nasal allergy.
What about the Neti Pot?
Neither a nasal wash bottle, Neti Pot, nor any other form of manual nasal irrigation is capable of much more than rinsing the nasal passages. Although this is effective in removing pollen and other particulates, it is only marginally effective when compared to the comprehensive therapeutic benefits derived from pulsatile irrigation.
One other advantage with the pulsatile irrigator is that it delivers a consistent pressure generally lower than a hand squeezed upright bottle. Since the pressure varies based upon the degree of pressure being applied, I’ve heard from several patients that their ears get “plugged up” or that water “gets stuck up in my sinuses,” probably resulting from squeezing bottle too hard.
This device is utilized by many professional sports teams for the sinus health of their athletes. The New York Rangers hockey team, for example, is one of many who have had excellent results with their pulsating device program. The device has been endorsed by the National Hockey League Trainers Association and the National Basketball Trainers Association.
Are all eucalyptus oils the same?
No. Although eucalyptus oil can potentially be quite healing to the inflamed mucous membrane, you’ll only realize this benefit if it’s a medicinal eucalyptus. It can be inhaled either with or without steam, although the former method is more effective. I recommend spraying the Sinus Survival Eucalyptus Oil (highly medicinal) into a steam inhaler several times over the course of 15 to 20 minutes of steaming. Without steam, the eucalyptus can simply be applied to a tissue, which you can then hold in front of your nose while breathing through your nose (if it isn’t too congested) for a few minutes. After an initial cough, this usually feels very soothing to the entire respiratory tract, while very effectively relieving nasal congestion and sinus headaches.
There are approximately 730 different varieties of eucalyptus trees, but only eleven are rated medicinal by the U.S. and British pharmacopeia (drug directory). The Sinus Survival Eucalyptus Oil, which I’ve been recommending for more than fifteen years, is imported from Australia, and is the most-highly rated medicinal eucalyptus I’ve found. I have tried others that are not as effective in treating the symptoms of sinusitis. I’ve also found it to be useful as a nontoxic germicide for cuts, burns, and cold sores, and as an effective topical pain reliever for arthritis and muscle soreness.
You should always have a bottle in your medicine cabinet, car or emergency kit.
How do you use the Sinus Essentials Oil?
The Sinus Essentials Oil was specially formulated for our Sinus Members to provide an aromatic breath of fresh air for the sinuses. The blend of soothing Jojoba Oil and Airomatic Peppermint Oil opens sinus passages. Just place a drop or two on your index finger, rub between index finger and thumb, then rub index finger and thumb on the outside of your nostrils. Do this following usage of the Sinus Survival Spray.
