Most people understand that smoking is bad for your health. The links between tobacco smoking and diseases like lung cancer, COPD/emphysema, heart disease, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) are undeniable and well established. All of these conditions can kill you. One would think this would be a powerful motivator to quit, yet millions still fail to kick the habit. One reason may be that none of these diseases cause significant day to day symptoms until they hav

A blocked nose is undeniably uncomfortable. Anyone who has ever had a cold can tell you that. But did you know that chronic nasal obstruction can have many negative effects on health? Here, we'll touch on several of the most significant health benefits of nasal breathing. 1) The nose cleans, warms and humidifies the air. As air passes into and through the nasal cavity, it flows past the hairs within the nostrils, filtering out larger particles, then over and around the nasal

Until 4 days ago, patients with Anthem-Blue Cross Blue Shield plans were denied coverage for balloon sinus dilation on the grounds that this procedure was "investigational" and therefore "not medically necessary." They held this position for quite some time, despite nearly all other private and government funded payers covering the procedure. I applaud their decision to reverse their policy and am excited now to be able to offer this minimally invasive and effective procedure

The inside of the nose is home to a rich blood supply. Certain areas, such as the front portion of your nasal septum (the wall that divides the inside of your nose in half) are especially rich in blood vessels. Sometimes these blood vessels can become dilated and very close to the surface. When the thin surface of the nasal lining is disrupted, such as with minor trauma or nose picking, one of these blood vessels can open up and a brisk nosebleed can result. Here in Colorado,

Nasal endoscopy is a simple procedure typically performed in a medical office by an Otolaryngologist, or Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. During the procedure, a spray containing a mixture of a nasal decongestant and topical anesthetic (numbing medication) is first applied inside the patient's nose. This spray temporarily decreases swelling of the nasal tissues and numbs the nasal membranes. After allowing a few minutes for the spray to take effect, a small fiberoptic scope is in

What is Cone Beam CT? CT stands for computed tomography. This describes a technology that uses x-rays to map out anatomic structures. A source of x-rays is rotated around a patient, and a detector is positioned on the opposite side of the patient. A complicated algorithm is then used to reconstruct the underlying anatomy based on differences in tissue density. Conventional CT has been around for decades. In this technology, a narrow “fan” of x-rays is generated to create mult

Allergy symptoms result from the immune system reacting abnormally to a harmless substance as though it were a dangerous invader. Allergies are not only a nuisance in and of themselves, but they can also contribute to many other chronic conditions, including sinusitis, nasal polyps, ear infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction, asthma, and eczema. Allergy testing is recommended when: 1) It is uncertain whether allergies are a major factor in a patient's symptoms, or when it is

Allergy symptoms result from the immune system reacting abnormally to a harmless substance as though it were a dangerous invader. The mainstay of allergy treatment has been to treat the symptoms directly. That is, we use medications such as topical nasal steroid sprays to treat nasal congestion, or oral antihistamine pills to treat sneezing and runny nose. These medications do not treat the allergy, just the allergy symptoms. For patients who struggle to control their symptom

For patients suffering from recurrent or chronic sinusitis that fails to respond adequately to medical management, sinus surgery can offer substantial relief. While an important part of the management of chronic sinus disease, surgery should not be seen as a stand-alone cure. Continued medical therapy remains an important part of successful long term management. This is especially true in patients with more severe disease of the mucus membranes or nasal polyps. Goals of surge

The benefits of breathing through your nose cannot be overstated. A blocked nose is uncomfortable, causing dry mouth, poor sleep quality, and sensation of lack of oxygen. Nasal obstruction is a major complaint of many patients that come to see me. Many conditions can contribute to nasal obstruction, including abnormal nasal anatomy, chronic sinusitis, and allergies. Medical therapy generally involves daily use of a nasal steroid spray as well as saline nasal irrigations. When