Tag Archives: sinus infections
Can You Catch a Sinus Infection from a Friend?
Sinus infections can take a few forms. They may be bacterial or viral, and may be caused by a broad variety of microbes and conditions, including polyps, allergies, and immunodeficiency. The type of sinus infection you have determines whether or not it may be contagious. Causes of Sinus Infections Sinus infections begin when the lining … Continue reading Can You Catch a Sinus Infection from a Friend?
View More >>The Dangers of Untreated Sinus Infection
I have written before about the rare but terrifying outcomes that can result if sinus infections are left untreated for too long. Because of their proximity to neural tissue, these infections can spread through the head, and graduate to something far more serious. This story underlines that risk. As the woman describes, “It started with … Continue reading The Dangers of Untreated Sinus Infection
View More >>Do I Need Antibiotics? Sinus Infection Vs. Strep Throat
Despite the clear warning recently issued by the CDC (with an assist from Consumer Reports), confusion still reigns over when antibiotics are strictly necessary for various ailments of the face and throat. This week I wanted to highlight two of those ailments: sinus infection and strep throat, two issues which are, in the minds of … Continue reading Do I Need Antibiotics? Sinus Infection Vs. Strep Throat
View More >>A Sinus Infection Cri de Coeur
Some ailments simply defy our sanitized medical language to properly describe the discomfort they cause. Anyone who has suffered through a severe sinus infection, for instance, knows just how unspeakably bad the pain can get. One way to manage that pain is with humor, as this piece in the Baltimore Sun shows. The author deftly … Continue reading A Sinus Infection Cri de Coeur
View More >>The Return of the Killer Amoeba
It is exceedingly rare for dangerous pathogens to strike common lakes and watering holes, but stories like this one do seem to surface periodically. The most recent case involves a young girl in Kansas whose exposure may have occurred at any number of local swimming spots. The infection was swift and, as with another recent … Continue reading The Return of the Killer Amoeba
View More >>A New Voice for Antibiotic Sanity
Much has been said and written about the topic of antibiotic resistance, especially the role played by ENTs in the overprescription of these powerful drugs. The primary concern is isn’t simply waste or expense; it’s that too many antibiotics in the populace has spurred the rise of superbugs which are evolving to resist our best … Continue reading A New Voice for Antibiotic Sanity
View More >>An Antibiotics Primer
We are on the cusp of antibiotic breakdown, in which many of the medications we have relied upon for generations will cease to protect us against infections large and small. A number of physicians, including those in my field of otolaryngology, have been working on guidelines to protect the potency of these life-saving drugs, and … Continue reading An Antibiotics Primer
View More >>A Sinus Infection Turns Near-Fatal
I speak often about the importance of catching sinus infections early. Given their close proximity to the brain, your sinuses can become the launch site for a number of life-threatening infections which can spread throughout the body. This recent story highlights some of the dangers when sinus infections are left to spread unchecked: As the … Continue reading A Sinus Infection Turns Near-Fatal
View More >>Another New Steroid Study
I have written before about the debate on nasal steroids, and whether they work as described or not. (They do, but only a little.) Now a new study has come out comparing oral steroids, also known as systemic steroids, to a placebo. And guess what? The researchers, who published their findings in the Canadian Medical … Continue reading Another New Steroid Study
View More >>What Causes A Sinus Infection?
A good article this week from the folks at Health.com: 13 Sneaky Causes of Sinus Trouble. More than many pieces in the popular press, this one covers a full range of possibilities that can lead to sinus distress, including some rare culprits like nasal polyps and overuse of medications. As a Los Angeles ENT, I … Continue reading What Causes A Sinus Infection?
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