Nuances of Nasal & Sinus Self-Help

The book's humorous cover portrays a man with sinus problems, who is nearly drowning in all of the stuff it takes to care for himself. This is meant only to draw people into discovering the book, and to underscore that humor can be a useful tool in coping and healing. It is not meant to belittle, in any way, the very real inconvenience and suffering that can result from nasal and sinus problems. Hopefully, no one will be misled into thinking the book is a satire! This is one fact-filled treatise! This work is organized into three main parts. The first part begins with a delightful overview of the history of nasal hygiene, then goes on to describe general nasal anatomy and function in a manner that is understandable to anyone. Medical care for nasal conditions is then discussed with specific information for environmentally influenced conditions, especially tobacco smoking, infections, focusing on personal habits like hand washing , and holistic help for general nasal symptoms. The second part is the best currently available reference on the myriad of devices and homemade and commercial nasal hygiene solutions known to man. Instruction on homemade solutions is accurate and complete, including the exact calculations for the amount of salt and water needed for making normal saline, as well as how to make really sterile solutions, and how to clean, disinfect, or sterilize the equipment used at home. With the recent proliferation of commercial products, this guide is essential for navigating the maze. Ms. Rudy includes an excellent unbiased complete description of each one, along with summaries of published key research on these products presented in a digestible manner. The third part applies the background and product information to self-help guidelines for a variety of common symptoms and conditions including nosebleeds, colds, allergies, nasal dryness, smell and taste disorders, and sinus surgery aftercare. It also provides a section for notes or prescriptions for a personal regimen of nasal self-care. A number of useful appendices provide comparative lists of nasal hygiene products, sources of products, and further information resources. An extensive bibliography and detailed subject and author indices complete this excellent resource book. Comments "This handy, easy-to-read guide is ideal for the person who has suffered chronic nasal or sinus symptoms with little relief. It presents a delightful historical perspective on nasal hygiene methods. Health professionals will find it a valuable resource book in caring for their patients with chronic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis." Helene Krouse, Ph.D., APRN, BC, CORLN, FAAN Assistant Dean and Professor Adult and Otolaryngology (Rhinology) Nurse Practitioner Wayne State University School of Nursing "This book presents the best discussion of general nasal care currently available, focusing on the devices and solutions available for use in the nose. It will serve as an outstanding reference for laypersons, physicians and other health care providers for years to come." Donald A. Leopold, MD, FACS Chairman, Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Rhinologist and Sinus Surgeon University of Nebraska "This book establishes the standard of care for nasal hygiene" Robert S. Lebovics, MD, FACS Otorhinolaryngologist Wegener's Granulomatosis Assoc. Medical Consulting Board New York, NY "This highly informative text provides thorough answers to many of the common questions of people with chronic sinusitis. It addresses nasal irrigation, solutions and devices in an especially comprehensive manner. People with short-term and long-term nasal and sinus problems will find this book very useful in guiding their self-care. Sinus suffere