Hot Liquids for ENS....

Consistent with my recent theme of hot liquids, I want to emphasize one hot beverage that I thoroughly enjoy and seems to bring me at least some temporary relief of my symptoms. It is hot tea, sometimes with lemon and honey. Hot tea with lemon and honey is considered one of the best mucus thinners. I believe a real problem in our society is dehydration, which sometimes leads to sinus infections itself, and it is particularly important to hydrate even more when you feel like you might be coming down with an infection or if you are trying to fight off a cold. In my view, my favorite teas are generally decaffeinated and are herbal. I particularly enjoy Throat Comfort tea by Yogi Tea, as well as the Cold Season Sampler (which consists of Breathe Deep, Echinacea Immune Support, Cold Season, and Throat Comfort). I will generally drink these teas with honey, and sometimes a bit of lemon juice as well. Did you know that lemon is actually alkaline? Given the fact that lemon is very sour, you'd think it was acidic, but I was reading that it is in fact alkaline in a book called The PH Miracle. So, bottom line: lemon is good for you! Some of the herbs in these various teas include:

• Licorice Root
• Thyme
• Eucalyptus
• Basil
• Mullein
• Echinacea
• Ginger
• Cardamom
• Clove
• Peppermint
• Slipper Elm Bark

Other teas I enjoy include chamomille and cinnamon spice. I find the spicy teas are not only soothing on the throat, but also promote healthy digestion.

In an upcoming blog post, I plan to write about some treatments that I have been trying of late to help promote better sleep. I actually had a great night of sleep last night, as I was sleeping more deeply than I have in a while. The treatment is cited in my book, and I plan to share this treatment ideas with those signed up at my ENS newsletter first (www.emptynosesyndrome.net) and then on this blog. As an aside, I learned that the patient mentioned on my January 25th blog post had a turbinate reduction surgery by the doctor who was unreasonable about empty nose syndrome....go figure. In a future blog post, I also hope to pose "hard," yet incredibly important questions that must be addressed by ear, nose and throat specialists in America. Until then, I hope your sinus health is doing well and under control.

'ENT hurdles' in getting treatment help for ENS

I have copied the following testimonial from a writer at the general discussion at emptynosesyndrome.org. I thought it was a good testimony of what some ENS sufferers have to deal with, the hurdles ENS sufferers face in getting proper help, and the total lack of sympathy by some doctors who should know better. This patient has been through multiple turbinate reduction surgeries, so likely is dealing with some level of ENS. This testimony should trouble every person who reads it. All this patient wanted was to be listened to by a sensitive, caring, sympathetic, ENS-knowledgeable doctor who explores medical solutions and puts her health over the protection of a fellow doctor causing empty nose syndrome. ENTs, please take note: That's all we want. That's why we are overly appreciative of Dr. Houser for his work with ENS because we want help desperately -and need it, too. I have edited and shortened the following to highlight the key points. Here's what she wrote:

Hello All,

I have turned to these boards for some time, and especially recently. This winter with the dry heat in NYC has been dreadful for my breathing. I am in the process of sending my CT scans to Dr. Houser. This is a relief, after five years of being told by ENTs to do more procedures and/or that I was inventing a problem for psychological reasons. (As far as I know, psychological problems do not produce mucus that sticks inside the nose, but until I read Chris' book and found out about this site and Dr Houser's work, I was willing to believe I was crazy and alone.) Thank heaven there is a doctor like Dr. Houser who has a soul and a capacity to listen, care, investigate, and respond to our needs with medical solutions.

...I ended up making the mistake of letting my ENT argue for months for the turbinectomy, although I understood it was all or nothing -- no turbinectomy, no septoplasty -- at least this is how the doctor presented it. I had NO idea what a turbinate was and thought he was fighting for the whole surgery to get approved. Finally he told me things were a go, and I did the surgery. After the surgery, he told me "secretly" that although the insurance did not approve the turbinectomy, he went ahead and did it anyway! I just thought, maybe he is just a nice guy, if cavalier, but I did not expect a problem. Why would he have done this if he did not get paid? Was he trying to be a hero? Why didn't he inform me of anything regarding turbinates?

...It has been five years. I am confused. I had NO idea that the missing turbinates were causing my problem, for real, until about a year ago, or less. That is four years later!....I have been through departments!!!! NYU, NY Presbyterian. My current ENT dismisses ENS but still tries to treat my symptoms, at least. I pretend to his face that ENS is something "my worried mom" thinks I have because she does too much internet research. He completely dissed Chris's book to my face and Dr Houser, whom he appears to know, and right then I knew I had to stop trying to convince all these ENTs. Why are they so defensive of something that is standard practice but does not work on everyone? Is it just about protecting themselves from malpractice suits? I don't get it. It seems that could be avoided by informing patients of the risk of turbinate surgery....

Thank to you all for this lifesaving forum.

************************

Thank you to the above reader for her comments. Here's my challenging questions to the defensive ENT.

1) Why is it that you acknowledge and know how important the turbinates are, but do not address the resulting symptoms from removed turbinates or potential reconstructive surgical treatment options for empty nose? Research has been published in a medical journal clearly defining and offering a surgical remedy for empty nose syndrome, so ENS is an indisputable fact - not something that can be dismissed.

2) Why is it that you appear to be more concerned with protecting a doctor who is causing harm via turbinate removal than the health of that patient?

3) Why is there no professional standard regarding the amount of turbinate to remove in turbinate surgery?

It would be great if that doctor could answer those questions satisfactorily. As the old saying goes, if you are not part of the solution, then you might be part of the problem. Makes you wonder if this particular doctor is part of the problem or solution. Thoughts?

Comments from a reader

Below are some comments from a reader and fellow ENS sufferer, Jdog. I tried to put them in as a post, but he nor I was sure how to do it! Frustrating since I want this blog to be interactive. Here are his comments followed by my own:

Subject: Great work Chris, love the blog.

I think the reference is great for awareness and the low readership is more due to a lack of understanding.

It's obvious that alot of ENS suffers dont know theyhave ENS. However that is changing fast with the forum, book and net in general. The more people thatknow what they have the more people will know what to look for. Keep up the good work. Love the articles.

Chris replies:

Your comments are much appreciated. I agree that a primary reason for low readership of this blog is lack of awareness. It is astounding how many people might be suffering from this condition, at one level or another, yet don't know they have it. Those who don't have it still think it's rare, which couldn't be further from the truth. I very much agree that the Internet has been the primary reason my book has been able to sell as well as it has, and it is the primary means of communication for raising awareness on empty nose on many fronts. The forum, book, and various Internet sites have threatened a medical cover-up, for lack of a better way to put it.

Carbonated water for ENS?

My most recent post discussed how staying properly hydrated by drinking water is an important part of treating empty nose syndrome (ENS). As mentioned in one of my newsletters, a friend of mine suggested that drinking carbonated water is a somewhat effective at treating ENS. He buys many bottles of tonic water at the store. I agree and acknowledge that having the stimulation from the effervescence probably does help a seemingly "dead" throat/inner nose by stimulating otherwise inactive nerve cells. And I encourage you to try this remedy and to report back to me at this blog with a post (just click on the time button at the bottom of this post in order to post).



However, I personally believe the key when drinking water for treating ENS is to keep it warm or hot, which increases blood flow to the throat, helps stimulate the cilia, perhaps even kills bacteria, whereas cold water can do the opposite. Hot water also seems to promote healthy bowel movements, and BMs seem to decrease the stuffiness in my nose; this of course should not be surprising given that the mucous membrane extends from our nose right down to our digestive tracts. This same friend informed me he had started coming down with the beginning stages of a sore throat, but drank many cups of hot water over a period of several days and that effectively cured his sore throat at that time.


What do you think?








Another thing about water and hydration...have you ever noticed that if you drink a lot of water, then your skin becomes less dry and you have less of a need for hand lotion, even if you live in a cold climate, as I do, this time of the year?


On my next post, I'll talk about different teas that are worth drinking for ENS, so stay tuned....

Liquids for ENS....

As an ENS sufferer, I find that liquids are very important for maintaining healthy mucous membranes. The most important liquid for an ENS sufferer is water. Water is considered the universal solvent because it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. Water is a mucolytic because it helps thin mucus by increasing its water content. Thinner mucus drains better. And ENS sufferers need thinned mucus! I believe many ENS sufferers (and Americans, for that matter) are often dehydrated. The first signs of thirst are often an indication of dehydration. Dr. Rob Ivker, in his book, Sinus Survival, recommends drinking even when you are not thirsty. You should drink 8 cups of water per day as a rule of thumb, and upwards of 13 if you are engaging in a fitness program.

Now, here are some tips to make the water even more effective: make sure the water is pure and heat it up. Hot water is particularly effective at draining thick mucus that has accumulated in your throat. Drinking numerous cups of hot water per day will help moisturize your throat, perhaps even partly substiting for the heating and lubricating role of your removed turbinates. Granted, please be careful not to burn your throat if the water is too hot, but do heat the water up. Is it not surprising that Dr. Ivker (if my memory serves me right) recommends sinus sufferers live off the western coast of Florida because of its heat and humidity? Ice cold water, conversely, as Dr. Grossan points out in his book, freezes the cilia and mucus stays there longer.

My wife, Colleen, and I went on our honeymoon in Maine and stayed at a place called Green Woods. Below is the view from our cabin where you can see the ocean water.

Direction for this Blog: A focus on nasal health tips & ENS News Updates & Pics

As you might notice, it has been a couple weeks since I blogged last, as I have been very busy with my growing family. (And, while writing this post, I took a 1.5 hour break to assist my family, which isn't a bad thing - although I'm more tired right now. We are very blessed, but I am stating a fact). Between my family and job, I have had little time for much else. However, I have fit in an upcoming, second book signing at Park Row Books in Clinton, NY, on February 9th, from 1-3, and I am looking forward to that. This bookstore is the one such store in my local area that has been very supportive toward me as a local author.

As the new year continues to proceed, I believe it is a ripe time to consider the future direction for this blog. I believe this blog should have two goals: to become more interactive and to create a larger readership. I have done about 50 blog posts in the past year and not a single reader of this blog has posted a comment. In order to post, all you have to do is click on the time underneath the message and then post away. Some might suggest I am writing on a narrow topic or readers don't know how to post a reply, but the number of email responses to me has indicated a healthy - no pun intended - number of responses. So I need to make it more interactive. On most given days, I have between 10 and 40 page loads of this blog which, honestly, is very low readership. I'm not sure quite why this is, whether it is I don't blog frequently enough or because the topic turns some off or if it's because the blog focuses almost exclusively on my book - or maybe it is all of the above.

So, my hope for this blog in the newyear is:

1) to encourage readers to post on this blog.

2) to increase the readership of this blog.

It's interesting because the Internet and specifically amazon.com are the primary reasons my book is able to have any impact. The vast majority of my books sold have been through the Internet. Amazon.com has a host of nonfiction, niche books that otherwise would receive little attention in bookstores (which are often indifferent toward self-published authors) or in the media. Amazon.com allows the viewer to be at the doorstep of your book, and you can market it any way you want. Plus, I believe the more savvy readers are those who buy items from the Internet, as you can often find better deals on Internet sites than through local stores.

I am getting on a tangent here, but the question is, how will I encourage readers to post on this blog and increase its readership? After some thought, I am planning to focus this blog more on treatment tips for nasal sufferers (and specifically empty nose sufferers), to blog on a more frequent basis, and to attempt to present the most current news with respect to empty nose syndrome. To some extent, I already do the aforementioned through my empty nose newsletter (which has about 30 readers), and I will keep the newsletter on the cutting edge of my thoughts - that won't be provided through this blog - but I will post more regularly on what I find has been helpful to me as an empty nose sufferer.

And maybe I'll even add some more photos, so you can get to know me better. Below is a photo of the view of the valley about one half mile from my house on my road, which is where I run during the summer months. And, yes, that is what it looks like this time of the year, snow covered and all!

So, please stay tuned...because in the coming days and weeks, my blog will take this turn, hopefully for the better.

New Year's Resolutions, a fitness plan, a THANK YOU

It has been a couple weeks since I wrote last because my computer monitor totally crashed shortly before my third child, Luke, was born. I bought a monitor earlier this week - wow, was it expensive. I am told I got a deal, as a kind friend referred me to it and I paid $125 for it. Yet most cost more! For the price of most monitors, you might as well buy a new computer. Anyway, I'm glad to be up and running again...and posting.

Each year I excitedly set before me New Year's Resolutions. This year, I have three resolutions: the first is to spend more time doing Christian devotions with my family each night; the second is to spend more time reading the Bible with my wife after my children go to sleep; and the third is to rid myself of sinusitis and allergies once and for all. Although I cannot regenerate the turbinate tissue that was removed, and thus have to suffer the effects of the turbinectomy to some extent, I CAN control the sinusitis and allergies to a large extent. It's going to be a real challenge, but I believe it can be largely cured.

The main areas in which I really need to improve in order to control my sinusitis include 1) improving my diet - e.g., I have been taking many herbal supplements, eating more vegetables, and decreasing the amount of dairy food of late - and developing a fitness program. I have been reading "Fitness Your Way" by Jim Lafountain. Jim is the athletic director where I work and owner of the All-American Fitness Center in New Hartford. I would strongly recommend reading his book that is chok full of practical suggestions on how to begin developing a fitness plan to meet your particular needs. You can buy it at amazon.com. This book has so much useful information on fitness that I can't believe I was following some of the lies that the media promotes. One such lie is what Jim calls the myth of mindless miles. Basically, this belief amounts to the fact that more is better when it comes to running. Jim reminds the reader that our legs will tire and like a vehicle, will experience much wear and tear over time, causing knee injuries to the chronic runner. He notes that while mild discomfort is to be expected, pain should not be tolerated in a fitness plan. He notes a mixture of running, walking, biking and - yes, stretching, might help you meet your cardiovascular needs. That's a simplification, but you get the gist. Jim recommends ensuring that your fitness plan has three components - cardiovascular, stretching, and resistance training (strength training), but that often people focus on just one aspect of fitness, excluding the other two. This is a mistake, in his opinion. His book is really a great book, and I would heartily recommend it for getting help developing a fitness plan on your terms.

Finally, I would like to kick out a thank you to Dr. Winston Vaughn of San Francisco, California. Dr. Vaughn trained at Stanford Medical School and, according to his online resume, is also on the Board of the American Rhinologic Society. Given his connections, now I know why he thought my book was having an impact among the ENTs. Clearly, he is a distinguished professional. So why do I kick out a big thank you? Dr. Vaughn enjoyed reading Having Nasal Surgery? so much that he bought 10 copies of it. He plans to share these copies with those in his journal club and with other ear, nose and throat specialists. That is wonderful. It is a great feeling to win the respect of intelligent people. I learned of this because one of his patients told me. Thank you so much, Dr. Vaughn, and I hope the other specialists enjoy the book as much as you did. And I hope they buy a number of copies for their fellow doctors and colleagues. I and other empty nose sufferers much appreciate your attention to and support of this worthy cause of empty nose syndrome.

Having Nasal Surgery? in 2007- HIGHLIGHTS

I want to wish all readers of this blog a Merry Christmas (or happy holiday) and a happy new year. My wife is expecting our third child any day now so I am quite excited about that. If I am absent a short time from this blog, that is why.

Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! was published on August 30th and has enjoyed a successful first three months. My publisher, Cold Tree Press, selected my book and has assisted me in applying this book for some book contests, believing it stands a reasonable chance of winning one of them. To recap, its accomplishments have included:

1)Selling fairly well - more than 2 books per day.
2)Receiving favorable reviews from customers at Amazon, Kirkus Discoveries, Foreword Clarion, Midwest Book Review, BookReview.com, and Reader Views. The Amazon listing is at: http://www.amazon.com/Having-Nasal-Surgery-Become-Victim/dp/1583851976/ref=sr_1_1/104-8078597-4322336?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190430354&sr=1-1.
3)Dr. Steven Houser, who wrote the foreword, has seen a significant increase in the number of ENS patients he is treating in recent months. His research article that was published in the September 2007 edition of Archives of Otolaryngology, likely contributed to this increase as well.
4)A successful book signing at Park Row in Clinton, New York. There could be potentially hundreds of ENS sufferers in the greater Utica area. I have been invited back for a second book signing; and all bookstores locally that have bought copies of Having Nasal Surgery? have sold them without a problem.
5) Comments from a doctor in Northern California to his patients that my book is having an impact in the ENT community. According to Dr. Murray Grossan of Los Angeles, at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, for the first time at a major conference, doctors were discussing how to best spare nasal mucosa to prevent ENS.
6) Having Nasal Surgery? is posted beneath the picture of the current Vice President of the American Rhinologic Society at the Cleveland, Nasal Sinus Center website.

While there is still much more work to be done on the awareness front, and hopefully the media will take notice in the upcoming year, all of the above leads me to believe Having Nasal Surgery? is contributing to an increase in awareness of empty nose syndrome locally and around the country...and that means more doctors informed of ENS and more patients with ENS receiving better help....and that is the most exciting news of all!

How to GET empty nose syndrome quickly

The following is a quick way to get empty nose syndrome (ENS) quickly if you so desire, although I'm not sure why you would want to. In fact, I urge you NOT to try this at home (like I did) and I'm absolutely not responsible for any decisions people make who read this blog. Enough said. Here's my cookout in the winter story:

1) Bring your gas grill outside on a cold winter day (preferably, 30 degrees farenheit or colder)
2) Once the gas grill doesn't start because it is too cold, keep the gas running
3) Bring a lighter and light the grill and....

Kaboom!

Now there must be a better way to start a gas grill on a frigid winter day. Or maybe grills aren't meant for winter cookouts. Seriously, the aluminum foil must have shot up 5 feet in the air and there was a huge fireball - almost looked like out of a movie. Thankfully, I (and my children who were inside in the warmth) was safe. Now, the gas grill did start at this point in time and I was able to cook the chicken and green beans. The plow man went by a few minutes later to clean the snow off the road. I was probably looked at cross-eyed by everyone in my area but it didn't matter because it is dark outside and you can't see them looking at me anyway. All in all, I had fun cooking some chicken while the snow fell and my wife took a picture of me making a fool of myself.

....PLEASE, don't do what I did with the grill!!!!! That's just asking for trouble.

**************************************************
Some promising news....

On a more serious note, I learned of the number of books I have sold and, according to Dr. Murray Grossan, I have sold a good number. Not enough to pay off the expenses of the book (yet), but enough to say it is making a real difference. Let's just put it this way: I am selling more than 2 per day almost solely on the Internet and without any marketing plan or major media endorsements. I would say that's pretty good. If I could sell a niche topic book of this nature fairly well, I wonder what would happen if I tried to write a book on a topic with broad appeal. I have in the past entertained writing a book on a topic related to my faith or one related to my profession of school psychology. Not that I'm planning on it, as my job and family keep me plenty busy (and rightfully so), but it is an interesting idea to ponder. I have also learned that Dr. Houser's practice has been flooded with empty nose syndrome patients (coming out of the cracks) in recent months and that he has been doing Alloderm implant surgeries regularly.

This is all good news for empty nose sufferers and raising awareness on empty nose syndrome (ENS).

Update on Amazon Sales Rank

I am hoping to find out soon how many books of Having Nasal Surgery? have been sold in its first 3 months on the market. In the meantime, I was checking my amazon sales rank and saw this book as #1 in Otolaryngology. If it can stay at this level, then that's great, but it will take work to keep the sales rank good. The amazon sales rank is updated hourly, so it might very well change -- for better or worse during the next few hours and days.

Product Details
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Cold Tree Press (August 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1583851976
ISBN-13: 978-1583851975
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,587 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#1 in Books > Science > Medicine > Specialties > Otolaryngology
#1 in Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Medicine > Surgery > Otolaryngology

SHARE Having Nasal Surgery? with....

1) ENT Doctors and Plastic Surgeons.
2) Libriarians.
3) Family and friends.

Now before reading further (or after reading further if you wish), please take a moment to visit my professional website, which complements this blog, at http://www.emptynosesyndrome.net. That site was significantly updated on November 25th. Thanks!.....OK, now read on....:)

ENT Doctors and Plastic Surgeons

As I began marketing Having Nasal Surgery?, my early concern was that some people might approach the doctor who caused them harm and angrily present my book to that doctor. I was concerned that instead of garnering doctor interest and sympathy, this might cause backlash. However, now I am convinced more than ever that these doctors are in fact the ones who need to hear the message of empty nose syndrome (ENS). It is these doctors who might be unknowingly causing ENS.

Here's how I recommend to approach the doctor: Approach the doctor in a graceful manner, and remark how you found Having Nasal Surgery? useful for your situation, as it help you put the issue of ENS in perspective, from a political, scientific and personal perspective. You then proceed to state what you really appreciated about the book is that you found solace from another ENS sufferer, and now your once-skeptical family and friends can respect and understand your condition. I recommend especially approaching plastic surgeons regarding this book, because there is no literature in the plastic surgery field on ENS. So they very much need to hear the message.

Librarians

Librarians need to hear the message of Having Nasal Surgery? This book has been highly recommended for libraries, through various professional reviews, and it is exactly what I want them to buy. I want people to have free access to information, and a library is where they can get this book free. Although many libraries face budgetary constraints, it shouldn't put librarians in a crunch to buy a single copy of my book! If they are resistant, inform them in depth regarding this book, and then offer to donate a copy to the library (after you have read it). Libraries really should have a copy of Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! Otherwise, they are missing out.

Family and Friends

Share my book with family and friends. Doing so adds authenticity to the message, and you might feel better understood in the process. Word of mouth is one of the most important vehicles behind increasing awareness of a book.

Bookstores and Health Food Stores (if you have passion to do so...)

Frankly, I encourage you, if you have a heart for promoting word of my book through bookstores and health food stores, to please do so. Unfortunately, while I have had a great experience with one local bookstore (Park Row, who has invited me back for a 2nd book signing), and anticipate future book signings with Borders, I have generally found bookstores and health food stores to be less receptive to buying copies of Having Nasal Surgery? The reason, as I see it, is too many managers are just downright ignorant of ENS and need to be educated; they assume it is a rarity, even though I know it is not. And bookstores will not buy a copy of a book unless they believe it will sell in good enough quantity. So I promote my book on the Internet and people can order through any bookstore they want, but it won't be on the shelf of that bookstore. Health food stores generally don't sell many books and are reluctant to do so. My local health food store indicated it would buy a copy of my book, but by and large, most health food stores are not jumping at the opportunity to buy new books, whatever they might be. It's not as good of business for them as selling health food. Again, if you do have a desire to sell through these venues, please go ahead and do it...

Now post your comments by clicking on the time link below...

Foreword Clarion Review

The final of my professional reviews are complete. Granted, some of these reviews were paid becuase I am self-published and it is impossible to get reviews from some sources (such as Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal or Booklist) otherwise, but all 5 professional reviews have been very favorable toward this book. I would rate the Foreword Clarion Review, which is below, as a very accurate review. Befoe showing you the review, though, here are some interesting developments of late:

-The Vice President of the American Rhinologic Society heard from a fellow ear, nose and throat specialist who was pleased with my book.

-A fellow sufferer from California went to his doctor who remarked how Having Nasal Surgery? is having a "real impact in the ENT community." This comment was very encouraging to me and leads me to believe this book is accomplishing its objectives. And that is a wonderful thing.

Here is the Foreword Clarion Review by Joe Taylor:

HEALTH

Having Nasal Surgery?
Don’t You Become an Empty Nose Victim
Christopher Martin
Cold Tree Press
209 pages
Softcover $12.95
978-1-58385-197-5
Four stars (out of Five)

In July 1997, shortly before going away to college, Chris Martin underwent surgery to remove turbinate tissue from both sides of his nose. An ENT doctor had recommended the procedure, called a bilateral turbinectomy, to relieve the chronic stuffiness the young man had been experiencing as a result of allergies and sinus infections. In the weeks and months that followed, Martin realized that the surgery had not helped him. The cycle of sinus infections had not only continued, but had intensified. His nose was perpetually dry, his throat sore, his mucous membranes inflamed. Before long, he was also experiencing panic-inducing shortness of breath, disturbed sleep, and intolerance to cold air. He became anxious and concerned. His discomfort led him back to ENT specialists and almost into another surgery, until, by accident in 2003, he discovered a Web site that defined “empty nose syndrome.” He now knew that his problem has a name: ENS. Its cause is summed up by Dr. W.S. Tichenor, a New York City sinusitis specialist: “Too many surgeons today believe they can indiscriminately remove large amounts of turbinate tissue.” Martin and his fellow ENS sufferers are the unhappy victims of these surgeries.

For the past four years, Chris Martin has been learning how to live with ENS. With this book he has fulfilled a major step in his mission to help educate sinus, allergy, and post-nasal drip victims who are considering surgery, as well as ENS sufferers and ENT professionals and plastic surgeons, many of whom have not been exposed to the scant literature about the syndrome. In August 2006, Martin met Dr. Steven Houser, an ENT specialist in Cleveland, Ohio who has been treating ENS sufferers—at times by rebuilding the remains of their turbinate tissue. Dr. Houser has performed two implant surgeries on Martin in order to decrease the nasal airway volume. The lesser amount of air entering the nose results in more resistance to airflow, thus less dryness. A second important effect of Dr. Houser’s implants has been to partially restore the pulmonary functioning that was impaired by the “empty” or too-open nasal passages.

Martin, now a family man and school psychologist in his late twenties in upstate New York, writes not as a doctor but as a survivor. He presents here a working definition of ENS and a primer on surgical as well as other medical, dietary, and environmental ways to treat its symptoms. He includes a layman’s guide to turbinate functioning and to the science and politics of turbinate surgery. Having learned to manage his condition, he tells a compelling personal story that adds passion and authority to his presentation.

Martin grants, as his research shows, that “conservative” turbinate surgery can often alleviate chronic stuffiness, but his presentation implicates the many doctors and plastic surgeons who continue to remove excessive amounts of turbinate.

Joe Taylor

Read the Kirkus Discoveries Review

I had the following review of my book, which is posted at the Kirkus Discoveries website (http://www.kirkusdiscoveries.com). Kirkus Discoveries has a reputation for offering "tart" or "critical" reviews, so I was pleased to see that not only did my book go unscathed, it was praised. The Discoveries service allows authors who are not traditionally published to pay for a review and have it done by a professional Kirkus Reviewer. Below is the review (I put in bold the statements I thought were important):

HAVING NASAL SURGERY?
Don't You Become an Empty Nose Victim!

Author: Martin, Christopher

Review Date: NOVEMBER 12, 2007
Publisher:Cold Tree Press
Pages: 236
Price (paperback): $12.95
Publication Date: August 30, 2007
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-58385-197-5
Category: AUTHORS
Classification: NONFICTION

School psychologist Martin explores a little-known condition that has lifelong detrimental effects.

In direct, instructive language, Martin examines the devastation of Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), a term coined by a Mayo Clinic physician in 1994. ENS is characterized by a “cluster of symptoms” that occur after too much of the airflow-regulating bony structures in the nasal cavity called turbinates are surgically removed, usually from efforts to assuage sinus pressure, headaches or nasal stuffiness (“turbinate reduction” surgery). The author believes that post-surgery, people with ENS go on to experience a wide array of harrowing symptoms including nasal dryness, sleep disturbances, excessive mucus, nosebleeds, diminished sense of smell and fatigue. Martin became an ENS sufferer after an overly aggressive partial turbinectomy performed in his late teens to improve a chronic nasal inflammatory condition. But before his ENS diagnosis, Martin endured numerous allergy injections, CAT scans, bacterial infections and the possibility of additional surgery. Determined to find answers, the author channeled his disillusionment, anger and psychological distress into increasing awareness about the condition and by positively dedicating (and educating) himself on the possibly devastating side-effects of nasal surgery. His comprehensive research has produced illustrations, tips, charts, glossaries and case studies about ENS, all presented in a straightforward manner, making the information more accessible to average readers with limited medical knowledge or experience. Martin smartly counterbalances the negative experiences (and clinical politics) of ENS with a host of beneficial natural remedies (chicken soup, humidifier, etc.), non-surgical options, as well as a chapter on the author’s own approach after suffering the debilitating effects of ENS. He had enlisted an ear, nose and throat physician to attach two restorative implants inside his nasal cavities, a procedure he advocates as beneficial in improving his own quality of life.

This slim but potent book is tremendously important and informative not only for those considering nasal surgeries, but for the specialists who perform them.

ENS is Widespread - my book signing

If you are like most ENS sufferers, you are led to believe we are just a rarity. I strived to prove this statement incorrect by showing logic and research, that ENS is a terrible problem with the possibility of low millions suffering from it in the US. But I only had numbers. Yet after my book signing, I am more convinced than ever that my estimate is correct -- too correct. ENS is alive and well in my small city in Upstate New York I don't want others suffering from this terrible problem and it is so hard to know it is still being created right around me. Right under my nose! Yet you would never know it, unless you were an author like me running into a reader/neighbor who has ENS or a doctor treating these patients.

My heart broke today when I ran into another ENS sufferer who lives just down the road from me. (She and other patients were created from a different doctor than I had, as mine has passed away.) The first words out of her mouth were "I have all the same symptoms as you." Hearing her voice that sounded in some ways like my own, I could tell she suffered as I had. I felt so saddened to know that others are suffering like me. Then came the next patient who stated her daughtered suffered from the same problem as me from a surgery just one year ago. Next the confession that empty nose patients who have their inferior turbinates overly reduced is happening all the time locally. It is sort of like when I told a colleague about my book who immediately knew of 2 ENS sufferers who suffered all the same symptoms as I had. This is all upsetting. Then I got some customers with the genuine curiosity as to whether ENS is real, to which I should have replied if you removed your fingers, would you still have them? Just because you can't see my amptutation because it is internal, does it mean it is not there? There is such a strong scientific basis for ENS, it is not funny. Just because ENS is not talked about much and it has not been given much attention anywhere does not mean it does not exist. It exists more than we think.

Obviously, there is a real need for public awareness on ENS and I just hope those reading this blog will take interst in empty nose and please feel free to post a comment by clicking on the time underneath this message. My heart is very heavy right now...

*Listen* to my welcome message

Please consider listening to my newly added audio message at http://www.emptynosesyndrome.net It is a 7 1/2 minute audiotape where I welcome readers of my website and talk a bit about my condition of empty nose syndrome. I am not a great public speaker, as I am often short of breath and sometimes have to think twice as hard before I talk due to difficulties with concentration, but hopefully it will provide a glimpse into my world of empty nose syndrome.