Tag Archives: chronic sinusitis
Microbes and Sinusitis: A Closer Look
It has long been a vexing question in otolaryngology: what role do bacteria play in the development of chronic sinusitis? Of course we know that infections can lead to drainage issues, which can spawn more infections, through the development of tenacious biological barriers known as biofilms: But, unlike the usual colds and coughs, these biofilms … Continue reading Microbes and Sinusitis: A Closer Look
View More >>Preventing Sinus Surgery Early
I am a sinus surgeon here in Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean that I assume every problem that I face warrants a sinus surgery procedure. On the contrary: one of my bedrock commitments as a medical doctor is to prevent undue procedures wherever possible. This latest study looked at some of the ways that … Continue reading Preventing Sinus Surgery Early
View More >>Permanent Sinus Relief? Ten Minutes
Chronic sinusitis is one of those quiet tortures that many people bear without seeing a doctor. Often patients opt to “wait it out,” or else they resort to copious amounts of OTC medications. Balloon sinuplasty has changed the landscape considerably, giving even the most surgery-averse patients a fast and painless alternative to conventional endoscopic sinus … Continue reading Permanent Sinus Relief? Ten Minutes
View More >>The Basics of Sinusitis
One of the common sources of confusion about sinusitis is that it can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. The term sinusitis is merely descriptive – it literally means “irritation of the sinuses” – so nailing down a proper diagnosis requires more than just a list of symptoms. It requires a culture as well. … Continue reading The Basics of Sinusitis
View More >>A Balloon Sinuplasty Story
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that helps chronic sinus pain sufferers create open airways, often for the first time in their lives. Although the procedure is a form of sinus surgery, its quick execution and fast recovery time can feel more like outpatient treatment than a true surgery,. This week, I discovered a … Continue reading A Balloon Sinuplasty Story
View More >>Chronic Sinusitis Linked to Heart Attack
Sinusitis is a global source of infection and discomfort, but until recently its effects were believed to start and end in the head. Now researchers have Taiwan have discovered an important link between sinusitis and myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack: The link between chronic inflammatory disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recognized. … Continue reading Chronic Sinusitis Linked to Heart Attack
View More >>A Link Between Sinusitis and Stroke?
Here’s a startling finding out of Taiwan: Chronic sinusitis has been correlated with a higher risk of stroke. Those of us in the ENT community have seen some evidence of this connection before, leading many to speculate that the link between sinusitis and stroke could run through the intracranial vessels, those blood-carrying conduits which appear … Continue reading A Link Between Sinusitis and Stroke?
View More >>It’s the Humidity, Stupid
The mysteries of the human sinuses continue to multiply apace. This week brings a story from MSNBC about chronic sinusitis, and the unexpected factor that may influence your sense of congestion: humidity. As the authors of the study put it: “Someone in the desert, all other things being equal, should feel less congested than someone … Continue reading It’s the Humidity, Stupid
View More >>Sinus Infection? Get a Sinus Culture and Know for Sure
Sinus infections are often treated as a single big problem, but within this category can lurk any number of different causes and pathogens. The range of bacteria that set up camp inside human sinuses can run the gamut from mild to aggressive, and understanding which is which is essential if you want to your treatment … Continue reading Sinus Infection? Get a Sinus Culture and Know for Sure
View More >>Allergies or Sinusitis: Know the Difference
As the director of the Los Angeles Sinus Institute, I see hundreds of patients with chronic sinusitis each year. One of the most difficult aspects of my job is that many people wait far longer than they should to seek expert sinus care. There are several reasons for this, of course – financial concerns, scheduling … Continue reading Allergies or Sinusitis: Know the Difference
View More >>