Doctors continue to use the "slices" shown on 2 dimensional CT scans to educate medical students, surgical residents, and even patients. As the images are in 2D, it can be quite disorienting even to medical residents, let alone patients who are trying to learn about their own pathology. As such, we are making push to bring 3D technology into the main stream.
Read MoreHow can doctors improve patient education as it relates sinus disease?
Technological advancements over the last few decades have revolutionized medicine and offer a means to facilitate patient understanding. To date, no data exists as to how three-dimensional reconstruction of imaging can impact patient education during the informed consent process of sinus surgery. Our study sought to define how the perceived understanding, the satisfaction, and the anxiety of patients undergoing sinus surgery were affected by three-dimensional reconstruction of imaging.
Read MoreWhat does baby shampoo and probiotics have to do with the treatment of sinusitis??
Coming soon: Dr. Mas Takashima is currently working on an article discussing the utilization of baby shampoo sinus irrigations and probiotics (good bacteria) nasal saline irrigations to prevent and treat chronic sinusitis without antibiotics.
Top 10 tips to avoid sinus infections (sinusitis):
1. Frequently wash your hands
2. Keep the nose moist with nasal saline sprays (the cilia inside the nose work more effectively in a moist environment).
3. Keep your allergies managed well
4. Avoid nasal irritants such as pollution, smoke
5. Irrigate your sinuses on a regular basis (from once a day to once a week for some) with a saline sinus wash
6. Take oral probiotics especially after taking antibiotics in efforts to replenish the natural biome of the sinuses
7. Try to avoid taking antibiotics or steroids if possible as both will affect the natural good bacteria (biome) that lives in the sinuses and allows bad bacteria to proliferate
8. Persistent nasal congestion can decrease airflow to the sinuses and may also block the outflow track of the sinuses. If you have a badly deviated septum or a hole in your septum, getting that repaired will be beneficial.
9. Swim in salt water pools as they are less irritating to the nasal and sinus mucosa and produces much less inflammation when compared to chlorinated pools
10. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and maintain a strong immune system as other illnesses such as a viral cold or flu can cause a sinus infection to occur