Nasal Steroids DO Help Resolve Sinusitis More Quickly Than Antibiotics Alone

Not sure why more doctors don’t prescribe nasal steroids (ie, flonase, nasacort, rhinocort, nasonex, etc) in addition to antibiotics to treat sinusitis, especially those in which it is recurrent or chronic. It’s been shown that nasal steroids do help more than antibiotics alone. The study I’m most familiar with is the one published in JAMA in 2001.

Reference: Comparison of cefuroxime with or without intranasal fluticasone for the treatment of rhinosinusitis. The CAFFS Trial: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 286(24):3097-105, 2001. Link

Video Optimization on VoiceInfo.org

Due to complaints that webpages in VoiceInfo.org took forever due to multiple videos incorporated into the webpage itself, changes have been made to allow a user to download only those videos they would like to see by clicking on a link. A still photo of a scene from the video will be displayed to give the user an idea of what the video will contain.

www.VoiceInfo.org

New Video Exam of a Lateral Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

A video of a fiberoptic endoscopic examination of a child who has a right lateral velpharyngeal insufficiency has been posted here.

New Article on Muscle Tension Dysphonia

A new webpage describing the various different forms of muscle tension dysphonia has been created. Check it out here.

Decongestants and Antihistamines Found Not to Help with Serous Otitis Media

There has been a recent Cochrane review regarding whether serous fluid in the middle ear improves with decongestants and/or anti-histamines which are commonly prescribed by both pediatricians and ENTs for this condition. This review which analyzed the results from 7 studies revealed that these medications had NO impact on the resolution of serous otitis media. In fact, there were significant side effects detected in 1 out of every 9 children prescribed these medications without any significant impact on the fluid.

Reference: Extracts from the Cochrane Library: Antihistamines and/or decongestants for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 136(1):11-13, 2007. Link.

Our Website Certified by International Organization for Trustworthy Health Info!

It has recently come to our attention that HONcode, an international organization dedicated for improving online health information quality, has recently certified our website; specifically our Human Voice section. Good to be noticed for the quality information we provide on our website! Check out our certificate here.

HONcode is maintained by the Health On the Net Foundation and is the leading organization promoting and guiding the deployment of useful and reliable online medical and health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Allergy Drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy or SLIT) Now Offered!

Allergy drops or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative for patients who do not wish to or are unable to undergo allergy shots. These drops are administered under the tongue daily and can be given at home. Such patients may include those afraid of needles, patients who travel a lot (therefore unable to go to a physician office to get weekly allergy shots), patients on beta blockers (which is a contra-indication to allergy shots), or children. For more information, click here.

The one downside is that allergy drops are NOT covered by health insurance at this time. To see other differences between allergy shots and allergy drops, click here.

Expanded Audiology and Hearing Services Section

The audiology section of the website has been renovated and expanded. Patients will soon be able to download relevant forms and read about the various hearing aids, hearing tests, and other hearing-related services that Fauquier ENT provides.

Possible Treatment for Tinnitus in a Pill???

One of our patients today brought us an article describing a drug, acamprosate (Campral), used to treat alcoholism that was found to also help with tinnitus in 86.9% of patients in a placebo-controlled drug study. Our practice is open to trying this medication for those interested. More info can be found here.

Fauquier ENT Consultants Now in MySpace.com

Fauquier ENT Consultants has set up a presence in the MySpace.com world. Check us out there!