Practice Focus

Treating Allergic Rhinitis: A Patient Experiment

Berrylin J. Ferguson, MD, FACS, FAAOA, associate professor of otolaryngology and director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pa., uses the following form to help determine which allergy treatments will work best for each patient.

Alternative Remedies for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Are complementary and alternative treatments harmful or advisable?

Laurie McCombs, 53, has dealt with sinus problems nearly all of her adult life. Clogged sino-nasal passages made it difficult for her to breathe at night, and the congestion caused morning pressure headaches. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines muted her symptoms but did not address their cause. At the age of 40, she decided to take the advice of friends who had experienced relief with acupuncture. Now McCombs follows the advice of the acupuncturist, who diagnosed her with allergies to dairy products and yeast, by limiting her intake of breads and milk products. She also continues to take loratadine and has found saline irrigation with the neti pot helpful in clearing her sinuses.

A Longer Shelf Life for Antimicrobial Ear Drops

What can physicians tell patients about the shelf life of antimicrobial ear drops and when bottles might become contaminated after use in the infected ear canal? Background: Little evidence exists […]

KTP and CO2 Laser Fiber Stapedotomy Compared

What is the safety and efficacy of the OmniGuide handheld fiber for CO2 laser stapedotomy as compared to the handheld potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser in patients undergoing stapedotomy for […]