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Monday, 25 June, 2007 2:37 PM
7 Steps to Relieving Sinus Problems
Wildfires
and Record Pollen Levels Create Agony for Sinusitis Sufferers…
Mother Nature has been
treacherous the past few weeks, especially if you have sinus problems.
Cities across the nation are coated with a choking haze of pollen.
Wildfires in the South and the West have blanketed those regions
with thick, smothering smoke. On a good air quality day, an estimated
38 million plus Americans suffer from sinusitis, or inflammation
of the sinuses that can cause excruciating pain, pressure and a
seemingly endless stream of thick post-nasal drip. So toss a steady
stream of air pollution into the mix and not only does the agony
intensify for those who already have sinusitis, but even people
who are normally ‘healthy’ wind up with ear, nose and
throat problems.
Enter Dr. Murray Grossan,
a board certified ear, nose and throat specialist and author of
“The Sinus Cure: 7 Simple Steps to Relieve Sinusitis and Other
Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions” (Ballantine Books, 2007).
Dr. Grossan has been treating sinusitis sufferers for more than
40 years and he’s seen patients in utter agony because of the
debilitating pain induced by sinus disease. While a perennial runny
nose from sinusitis may seem like a minor ailment, left untreated
it can lead to serious illness such as meningitis- an infection
of the brain, and in some rare cases blood clots can form in veins
around the sinus and affect the brain like a stroke.
“Most people simply
don’t see their doctor for a runny nose,” says Dr. Grossan.
“But if they have persistent ‘brain fog’ affecting
the ability to think clearly, hoarseness, post-nasal drip, or sinus
pressure that lasts for weeks, that’s a big red flag alerting
them that it’s time to see a doctor. You can’t just write
it off as a cold; especially in children because it can lead to
bronchial problems and asthma.”
Because so many symptoms
can be triggered by air contaminants, “The Sinus Cure”
devotes an entire chapter to air quality and urges people to be
cautious when faced with pollution issues. “Most people with
sinusitis or asthma know that pollen and smoke- like we have covering
parts of the country right now- can exacerbate their problems,”
says Dr. Grossan. “Even if you don’t have an existing
sinus or respiratory issue, you should avoid exposure to air pollutants.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take for relief, including
nasal irrigation to literally keep your nose clean, and help the
tiny hairs inside your nose called ‘cilia’ do their job—filter
the air you breathe. Putting a HEPA room-sized air filter in your
bedroom can also work wonders.”
Dr. Grossan hopes to
show people how to treat sinus disease through a “treat the
whole person” approach that avoids the overuse of antibiotics.
In fact, overuse is such a problem that up to one-fifth of prescriptions
for adults is written for a drug to treat sinusitis according to
researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“Sinusitis and allergies
are worse today than before the antibiotic age,” says Dr. Grossan.
“Many patients believe antibiotics are the only remedy to cure
their sinus problems but they’re wrong. My new patients come
to me having had the latest antibiotics, yet they’re still
sick and they depend on us for relief. This has forced us to develop
some innovative approaches to curing sinusitis.”
Among those approaches,
learning what foods can help heal sinus disease—and which to
avoid. For example, alcohol, chocolate and dairy products are among
those Dr. Grossan recommends avoiding. He also says cold drinks
are the number one culprit for turning minor postnasal drip into
a major sinus headache. “No matter what you drink, do not drink
it cold,” says Dr. Grossan. “However, sipping hot drinks,
such as hot tea can help drain your sinuses and allow you to breathe
easier.”
“The Sinus Cure”
covers the gamut of ear, nose, and throat issues from the impact
of stress, the underdiagnosis of ‘cough asthma’ to the
current strategies in drug treatments and new surgery options for
sinusitis. After treating thousands of patients, Dr. Grossan’s
dedication to curing sinusitis will bring relief to millions, including
those who are seeking help dealing with seasonal air pollution.
The
Sinus Cure: 7 Simple Steps to Relieve Sinusitis and Other
Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions
by Debra Fulghum Bruce, Ph.D. and Murray Grossan, M.D.
300 pp., Paperback $14.95 US
Publisher: Ballantine Books, 2007
Available at www.amazon.com
www.hdromedonline.com
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About the author:
Dr. Murray Grossan has
been a board certified ear, nose, and throat specialist for more
than 40 years. He currently practices at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
in Los Angeles. Dr. Grossan has specialized in treating patients
who can’t take ordinary drugs or have failed standard treatment.
His successful non-drug method of using pulsatile nasal irrigation
is detailed in The Sinus Cure. Dr. Grossan’s Hydro Pulse Nasal/Sinus
Irrigator was also featured in Time magazine’s “Best Inventions.”
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