BREATHING IN SINUS RELIEF
About 40 million Americans have chronic sinusitis. Research shows most cases can be directly related to molds and other indoor air quality problems. While you might not be able to do much about the air in your environment, you could do a lot about those sinus infections.
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Flowers never looked or smelled so good to Joanne Clark. Until recently, her chronic sinus infections had taken away her sense of smell and replaced it with headaches and fatigue.
Joanne Clark
Has chronic sinusitis
"Sometimes, the most comforting thing to do is to put your head down on a pillow because then you don't have to hold it up anymore."
She's tried antibiotics, acupuncture and herbs. After three sinus surgeries failed to help, she found doctor winston vaughan. He offered her an alternative.
Winston Vaughan, M.D.
Otolaryngologist
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
"This started by a pharmacist in Santa Barbara asking me a simple question, 'Why don't you guys just blow it up the nose?'"
That's exactly what they did. This machine turns antibiotics into a mist that patients can inhale.
Winston Vaughan, M.D.
"We're delivering the medications directly to where you need it, and not all over the body."
By doing that, side effects of standard treatments, like nausea, muscle aches and rashes, are eliminated.
Winston Vaughan, M.D.
"This new treatment option for patients is a significant step forward, especially for patients who have multiple infections."
One study shows nearly 80 percent of patients had a significant improvement in symptoms. Patients also stayed infection-free for an average of 17 weeks -- compared to 6 weeks before.
Joanne Clark
"One time, I went seven months without a sinus infection."
Joanne used to average more than ten infections a year. Now, it's less than four.
Joanne Clark
"I now have a quality that's almost like it was before I started having sinus infections."
On average, patients will use the nebulized medication twice a day for three weeks. Each dosage lasts up to 20 minutes. The only noted side effects with this type of therapy have been sore throats and coughing.
BACKGROUND: Forty million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis and there is no cure for this condition. It can only be treated, and until recently, the available treatments did not offer much relief. Allergies, bacteria, viruses, and fungus can trigger sinusitis. It results in severe symptoms, including pain, sinus pressure, drainage, and loss of sense of smell. Ultimately, this condition severely lowers a patient's quality of life. Chronic headaches, fatigue, coughing, and sleep disturbance disrupt everyday activities, even causing some sufferers to quit their jobs. A study presented by Winston Vaughan, M.D., from Stanford University, and his associates, tracked 41 chronic sinusitis patients for 12 months, testing a new method of treatment called nebulized medications. The participants in this study had not responded to other methods of treatment, including multiple courses of oral antibiotics. Dr. Vaughan explains, "Nebulization involves a small machine where the medications are bubbled or made into a mist ,which is then inhaled through the nose." This method allows the medication to be directly applied to the problem areas -- the sinuses -- instead of going to other parts of the body.
WHY IT WORKS: Doctors think that this type of treatment works well because it delivers medication directly to the sinuses. Since infections are so common, it is logical to only apply medication locally and leave the rest of the body alone. Dr. Vaughan thinks it is effective because of this direct application, "versus going through he mouth, through the stomach, through the blood system." On average, patients will use the nebulized medication twice a day for three weeks. Each dosage lasts up to 20 minutes. If the symptoms are not relieved over the course of three weeks, the patient's infection is reassessed.
A MORE LIVABLE LIFE: The effects of nebulization therapy are positive. Those participating in the study showed a longer infection-free period after treatment -- 17 weeks compared to 6 weeks prior to treatment. Larger gaps between each infection mean a more normal life for patients. Dr. Vaughan says, "This improves their quality of life overall, decreases their symptoms related to the disease ... decreases their days off of work." A sore throat and coughing are the most common side effects of this type of treatment. However, when compared to the many side effects of traditional oral steroid and antibiotic therapies, which include nausea, joint and muscle aches, nasal bleeding, bone loss, fatigue, and increased anxiety, they seem more tolerable. Dr. Vaughan concludes, "Having a chronic sinus infection can really affect who you are as a person," so in a sense, he's saying nebulization treatment allows patients to spend more time living their life and less time dealing with their condition.
Sinus Pharmacy, Inc.
(877) SINUS-44
www.sinuspharmacy.com
Copyright © 2003 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
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