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March 26

Sinus Irrigation and a Suggested System

If You Don't Have 10 Minutes To Read This Sinus Treatment, Than Your A Sucker Who Deserve To Be Attacked By Sinus Monster

Sinus irrigation is the main component in my personal arsenal to battle sinusitis and sinus infections. While struggling with numerous sinus infections a number of years ago, I ran across a book by Dr. Murray Grossan entitled “The Sinus Cure- 7 Simple Steps”. This book explained the pulsating nasal irrigation system that I now use every day and have for a number of years. The book is a great resource for people suffering from sinusitis.

When I first started following Dr. Grossan’s advice he suggested using a WaterPik machine, and these have been sold for years as devices to improve gum and dental health. Dr. Grossan’s company simply sold an adaptor and a saline solution, although one can use normal table salt. Although much more expensive than table salt, I find that the saline solution is convenient, works well, and has no preservatives. I usually purchase a dozen containers at a time, and these will last up to a year with one application per day. One simply puts a spoonful of saline solution into the WaterPik tank and then about 16 oz. of warm water to dissolve the powder. The nasal adaptor is then put into one nostril and the machine will gently propel half the liquid through one’s nasal canal, and it will drain out the other side. One then puts the adaptor in the other nostril and repeats the procedure on that side. This process is done while leaning over a sink. I then normally put more water into the tank and use the WaterPik on my teeth as it was originally intended, and I’ve helped my gum and dental health as well. My dental hygienist has made several comments about how much better my gums and teeth are when I go in for cleanings, so there is a definite side benefit to this procedure. The whole effort only takes about 5 minutes or so, including wiping everything dry. I normally do the irrigation once a day about an hour before bed, but if I happen to wake up with more than the usual congestion in the morning, I’ll do it then as well.

The Easiest Way to Start

In the past couple of years Dr. Grossan’s medical supply company has come up with its own sinus irrigator. It is called the Hydro Pulse® Nasal Irrigation System. One receives the Hydro Pulse Nasal/Sinus Irrigator®, 2 Original Sinus Irrigator Tips ®, 2 Original Throat Irrigator Tips®, Breathe-ease® XL Nasal Moisturizer (this is the saline solution), and excerpts from "The Sinus Cure" by Dr. Grossan.

This is the easiest way to start, as you have everything needed. If the system works well and you want to continue to do nasal irrigation on a daily basis, I would suggest choosing the pack of one dozen saline solution boxes, as the price is lower per box and there is only one shipping charge to pay. Of course one could still purchase a WaterPik at a retail store and buy the Dr. Grossan’s adaptor and saline solution to work with it. In fact I continue to do this in order to use the device on my teeth and gums since it works so well. Every year or so the WaterPik needs to be replaced. I suspect that the salt has a corrosive effect, although I rinse the machine with fresh water immediately after each use. The WaterPik company even sells a small travel model, and I use one of those when on the road.

Walt Ballenberger is founder of http://www.postnasaldrip.net, a resource web site for sinusitis sufferers. Ballenberger is not a medical professional, just a sinus sufferer for years.

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New Sinus Surgery Operation- Sinuplasty

If You Don't Have 10 Minutes To Read This Sinus Treatment, Than Your A Sucker Who Deserve To Be Attacked By Sinus Monster

A new sinus surgery procedure has emerged in recent months. It is called sinuplasty, and it is similar in concept to angioplasty. That is, a small balloon is inserted into the sinus passages of the patient, the balloon is inflated, then deflated, and then removed. It is claimed that the passage will remain open for some time because of the small malleable bones in the part of the head where the sinuses are located. The theory is that once the balloon is withdrawn, these bones have been moved slightly and will remain in place. If this in fact proves to be true by follow-up tests and studies, this would undoubtedly be an interesting option for many sinus sufferers.

It is claimed that there is little pain in the sinuplasty procedure. I personally have had two sinus operation, and the pain and discomfort involved in each was substantial. After the first operation my nose was “packed”. That is, a large amount of gauze was placed in each nostril to stop bleeding and help start the healing process. Thus, all breathing has to be done through the mouth for the week or so that the gauze stays in the nose. It is very difficult to eat like this, because one cannot swallow food and breathe at the same time. Removing the gauze was another painful experience. The ENT specialist said that “this will feel like I’m pulling your brains out”. He was right, and that is exactly what it felt like. With regard to pain, I feel that I’m willing to tolerate it if going through the pain will accomplish something. In the case of my two sinus operations, I was still coming down with infections afterwards, so all the pain was really for nothing.

There are no long-term, scientific studies yet to show how effective the operation is. Several are under way, however, and it will be interesting to see the results. One study of 100 patients is due to be released in September, and another with 80 participants should be released subsequently. I personally don’t recommend sinus surgery to people because it seems that even if there are positive results, they only last a short time. I’ve heard of people having had 4 or 5 sinus operations, and one wonders what operation number 5 might accomplish that numbers 1-4 did not. The anecdotal stories of people who had suffered from chronic sinusitis and tried sinuplasty are encouraging, however. The ABC evening news ran a story about the procedure not long ago, and they interviewed a person who said her results were immediate and excellent. In any case I would recommend trying pulsating nasal irrigation with a saline solution before any surgery procedure, but if simplasty proves to be effective in the long term, this may be an excellent option for many sinusitis sufferers. If one has polyps, however, it should be noted that sinuplasty will not be an option, as the polyps will need to be removed by invasive surgery.

The sinuplasty procedure was invented by a doctor who himself had severe sinus problems, and he had the thought that something analogous to the angioplasty balloon procedure might be applicable in the sinus cavities. He is now producing and selling the medical device which is used in the procedure, and this has recently been approved by the FDA for use in operations. Only about 100 doctors in the U.S. have been trained to do this operation so far. The results of the studies mentioned above will no doubt influence if some of the over 350,000 traditional invasive sinus surgeries performed each year in the U.S. can be changed to this non-invasive variety.

Walt Ballenberger is founder of http://www.postnasaldrip.net/, a resource web site for sinusitis sufferers. Ballenberger is not a medical professional, just a sinus sufferer for years. He found relief using pulsating nasal irrigation among other things. The site has articles and other information, including a blog where others can exchange ideas about treatments, products, etc.

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