Interested in the balloon sinuplasty, tune in to kxan on May 28, 2012

Dr. Christopher Thompson will discuss the benefits of balloon sinuplasty on kxan on May 28th, 2012 at noon.  If you have been interested but unsure, this news story is a must see for you.  You will be able to watch some of in office procedure.  They even interviewed patients that had the procedure done in the past and hear how it has changed their life.

Prolonged use of Nasal Steroid - Safe or Dangerous?

As an otolaryngologist, I am frequently asked if nasal steroid sprays, one of the most common treatments for chronic sinus and allergy problems, are dangerous to use over the long term.  In general, the answer is no. 

Let’s look at a few issues specifically...

The most common side effects from nasal steroids are local.  Some patients have mild burning, dryness, or nose bleeds.  These are reasons to change brands or stop the medication all together.  A  rare local complication includes septal perforation, or a hole in the septum that divides the nose in half.  This is a complication that would typically happen after significant nose bleeds develop.  So again, if nose bleeds are a problem, stop the medication and see your otolaryngologist.

Systemic side effects such as adrenal suppression, blunted growth, glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis, and diabetes have long been a worry since high dose oral steroids can have these complications.  The good news is that over the years, nasal steroids have become much less “bioavailable” .  The nasal sprays treat topically, but very little is actually absorbed into the bloodstream.  More recent studies have failed to show any significant risk for any of these side effects with properly used nasal steroids.

If you suffer from chronic nasal/sinus problems and nasal steroid sprays help, feel confident that long term use is quite safe.

Zachary Wassmuth, MD

Is Balloon Sinuplasty right for you?

The promise of a simple solution to sinus pain is very enticing but you need to know if balloon sinuplasty will work for you. 

Let's make it simple. Maybe.....

Sinus pressure and infections can be relieved in the right case as a simple office procedure. There are many factors for you're surgeon to consider if this therapy can work for you. Is your problem really a deviated septum? Is it an allergy issue? Do you have polyps? These and many other issues cannot be treated with a balloon procedure alone. 

A comprehensive evaluation by an experienced surgeon is what is really needed to know if balloon sinuplasty is the right solution for you.

Daniel Slaughter, MD

Allerigies or Infection?

One of the most common questions that I get has an ear nose and throat specialist, often from friends and family, is how to tell the difference between nasal allergies and an infection. Although there is overlap between the symptoms, there are a few rules of thumb to help you tell the difference. Allergic symptoms may start gradually or suddenly, and include sneezing, nasal congestion, clear nasal drip, postnasal drip, itchy ears, eyes, throat and nose, fatigue, and sometimes cough. There are many ways of treating allergies, but those targeted at the allergic response can be grouped into one of three categories. Those are antihistamines (Claritin, zyrtec, benedryl), steroids (nasal sprays or oral), and leukotriene inhibitors (singulair). Decongestants such as Sudafed, topical decongestant such as Afrin, and mucous thinners such as mucinex often help with her symptoms.

An infection will include the congestion, postnasal drainage, and fatigue but will also cause discolored nasal discharge, sore scratchy throat, sinus pain, cough, and fever. Most nasal and sinus infections are viral for the first 5 to 7 days. We worry about bacterial infections when you continue to have these symptoms for more than seven days, and especially if you get better for a few days, and then develop the symptoms of an infection again. This is when it is appropriate to start antibiotic therapy.

Christopher Thompson, MD

Dr. Chris Thompson, along with other Austinites volunteered their time, money and skills to give medical help to a Ugandan man with a mass of scar tissue called keloids

Austinites volunteered their time, money and skills to give medical help to a Ugandan man, Sam Obura, with a mass of scar tissue called keloids.  Watch this story of Sam Obura on KXAN with Leslie Rhode.



05/07/2012 - Life-changing village in Austin Video - Part1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiqDOdYRCTA

05/08/2012 - Life-changing village in Austin Video - Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLrWU8avU0&feature=plcp