Below is pretty much all of the information from my website, http://www.emptynosesyndrome.net/, which I might close down in the near future.

"Too many surgeons today believe they can indiscriminately remove large amounts of turbinate tissue..."

-Wellington S. Tichenor, M.D., Creator of award-winning website http://www.sinuses.com/


*Are you considering nasal or sinus surgery? If so, do you know the range of options, benefits and risks? Are you aware that no professional standard exists regarding what is an appropriate amount of turbinate tissue to remove, which puts nasal surgery candidates at possible risk for empty nose syndrome (ENS)? Have you had a discussion of ENS with your doctor?

*Have you had nasal or sinus surgery, but now find yourself worse off than before? If so, do you know whether you have ENS?

*Are you among the millions of Americans who suffer from at least one of the following: empty nose syndrome, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, asthma or acid reflux? If so, would you like to learn holistic treatments from a sufferer who has been there and, in the process, learn about ENS and potentially prevent yourself from ever becoming an ENS sufferer?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, then you have come to the right website. The home of a book that attempts to act as a self-help guide on the above issues by raising public awareness on a silent epidemic: ENS.

**WATCH VIDEO TESTIMONIALS BY ENS SUFFERERS AT YOUTUBE**

Go to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in the search phrase "empty nose syndrome"Nine ENS sufferers have created videos as of today (4/14) and five are posted at youtube. These sufferers did a terrific job in creating a video that will go a significant difference in raising ENS awareness. If you are an ENS sufferer,I beg you to please consider making a short video for youtube, which will help our cause.

Also, please consider visiting my friend's Christian-based web blog (who has asked me to keep his name anonymous) at http://emptynosesyndromehope.blogspot.com/. His blog is an encouragement to Christians with ENS and I thank him for his efforts in doing this.


You have made it to the site of a self-help book that I am confident will help you, not make you worse. In fact, this book could change your life. Welcome to emptynosesyndrome.net, a site dedicated to raising awareness on the comprehensive self-help book on empty nose syndrome entitled, Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! Read on...

My name is Chris Martin and I am a school psychologist from Upstate New York and ENS sufferer of 10 years. I am excited about seeing this book raise awareness of ENS to a new level as I wrote this book in part because I found so few resources for ENS while suffering from this serious problem. Suffer in silence no more! While writing Having Nasal Surgery?, I learned that many of the strategies for treating ENS could actually be very beneficial for a host of nasal and sinus problems. I am not a medical professional, but I am an ENS sufferer and thus have had to "live out" the treatments described in this book. This book is part testimonial and part informational.

How many ENS sufferers are there out there? I estimate 2-4 million Americans suffer from ENS as 500,000 turbinate reductions are performed each year in the U.S., and I back up this claim in Having Nasal Surgery? But the fact is no one truly knows. Another way to look at this question is to ask yourself: If you believe you are the only ENS sufferer in your area, then you need to be honest with yourself and think again: Do you actually believe your doctor did the aggressive turbinate reduction surgery only on you? Consider that, as a result of my book signing on November 10th, 2007, I learned many have ENS in my immediate area in Upstate New York as a result of aggressive turbinate reduction surgeries by a different doctor than the one who did my nasal surgery, as my doctor has since passed away. But you would never know it because ENS is a silent problem.

Abbreviated Reviews/Short Quotes on Having Nasal Surgery?


**Below is a compilation of short quotes of what various people have said about Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!

Chris Martin's book is excellent and I recommend it to patients.…The important point is that ENS is preventable and this book will go a long way to that prevention. Yes, if you are having ENT surgery read this book.

-Murray Grossan, M.D., Author of The Sinus Cure and inventor of the Grossan HydroPulse Nasal-Sinus Irrigation System

Chris has done an amazing job putting together this book for himself and others considering or having already had nasal surgery.

-Tony Ponte, Alberta, Canada

I have to say that I am impressed. The book is an easy read and Chris does an exceptional job at putting some rather complex concepts into layperson's terms… The story of his journey through the world of ENTs rings all too familiar, and he does a very good job at examining various nasal surgery techniques and ENS medical treatments.

-Anonymous Source

You have written a valuable book for ENS sufferers and the medical community…I know I have said this before, but I am really impressed with your book.

-Margy Olmstead, Indexer for Having Nasal Surgery?

I truly wish that this book had been available prior to my nasal surgeries. I did research, but nothing that would have prepared and informed me like Chris Martin's book. It is very detailed and heartfelt. For those who have already rolled the dice and lost with a nasal surgery, this book offers hope, support and many helpful suggestions.

-ENS Forum Member "RE"

An ENS sufferer himself, Christopher Martin has written a comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' introduction to what ENS is, what can be done about it, and what to be aware of in various treatment options in "Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!” Christopher relates his own personal account of coping with ENS, offers an informed and informative evaluation of turbinate surgeries with respect to nasal conditions, provides an 'insider' look at the politics surrounding ENS within the medical community, and identifies the best treatments for ENS, many of which are also efficaciously applicable to sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, GERD, and asthma. Invaluable reading for medical students, physicians, and non-specialist general readers, "Having Nasal Surgery?" is especially recommended for personal, professional, and community library Health & Medicine reference collections and reading lists.

-Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review

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

-Kirkus Discoveries

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, Foreword Clarion Review

Chris has written a compelling and comprehensive account of his own personal experience with a relatively unknown affliction known as Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS)… Chris's book will make sure that you don't repeat other's mistakes or suffer the potentially devastating effects of nasal surgery.

-Paul, New York

Do yourself, all ENS sufferers out there, and Chris a great favor right now: stop reading this review, and start reading this book! It could save your life.

-Ryan Webb, Ontario, Canada

Anyone who is contemplating sinus surgery should read this book. Also, anyone who has a friend, colleague, or family member who is facing sinus surgery should urge those people to read this book as well… His message is powerful and important…Sinus sufferers who are considering surgery can learn a great deal about their condition and can possibly prevent themselves very serious problems in the future. It is certainly worth the time and money.

-Walter Ballenberger, founder of http://www.postnasaldrip.net/, Monument, CO

Thank you for this most telling account of your journey through the maze of ENS; your efforts in providing comprehensive information about ENS and your personal account of the roads that have led to finding hope is inspiring. It has been a companion when I have felt alone and has been the platform through which I find the strength to advocate strongly for informed consent and knowledge of ENS for any person who is entering into nasal surgery. -Jackie G., New YorkChris Martin has written the ultimate "Bible" for anyone considering nasal surgery in general, and more specifically for those who have breathing problems related to swollen turbinates and are considering turbinate reduction surgery.

-ENS Forum Member T.E.

I have read through the book and have found it really helpful. I think it covers a lot of important information, both technical and emotional.

-S. Kramer, New York

…Very well written and informative.

-Tom

Chris Martin's book is very helpful to anyone considering having nasal surgery, or anyone whom has undergone it and is experiencing troubling symptoms.

-Matt, Indiana

Having Nasal Surgery? is an ideal sourcebook on ENS - informative without being dense, written in a coherent style and filled with first-hand experience on the condition. It's a book that all nasal doctors should have on their shelves and be ready to pass onto patients looking for answers.

-Les Chappell, BookReview.com

His personal disclosures make the book very interesting. I was also very impressed with the amount of references that he cites in each chapter…I cannot imagine a more comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand source of information.

-Paige Lovitt, Reader Views

Could YOU benefit from this book? The following people certainly can:

1) Sufferers of ENS, sinusitis, allergies, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, acid reflux, and/or asthma (pretty much anyone with kleenex in the house) could benefit from the treatment strategies. Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! includes more than 30 pages of holistic treatment strategies from an ENS sufferer of 10 years.

2) Anyone considering nasal or sinus surgery could be better informed and empowered when discussing surgical options with their doctor. If you are considering one of these surgeries, this unbiased review of medical literature from a patient who has no vested interests could be very beneficial for you.

3) ENT specialists and plastic surgeons, as well as scientists studying regenerative medicine, could benefit by reading the scientific discussions of ENS and patient testimonial.

4) Families and friends could become more knowledgeable and understanding toward ENS sufferers.

Now, here is what is written on the back cover...Have you had nasal surgery, but now find yourself worse off than before? If so, you might be one of millions who suffer from a serious medical condition known as empty nose syndrome, or ENS - a complication of surgery. Symptoms of ENS include shortness of breath (despite a wide open nose), nasal dryness, throat irritation, thick, sticky mucus, shallow sleep, and sometimes chronic sinusitis. Many with ENS are depressed. Some have even committed suicide.

Endorsed by well-known doctors familiar with ENS, Chris offers a genuine message to the reader and hope for the injured patient through:

1) His personal triumph in coping with ENS.

2) A critique of turbinate surgeries for anyone considering nasal surgery.

3) An inside look at the politics of ENS.

4) Best treatments for ENS, many of which also apply to sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, GERD, and asthma.

“Chris Martin's book is a must-read for anyone with nasal problems so they, too, can understand ENS and avoid becoming an ENS patient. His up-to-date information can empower the patient to best therapies.”

-Murray Grossan, M.D., Author of The Sinus Cure and inventor of the Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal-Sinus Irrigation System

“I applaud Chris’ attempt to bring this critically important issue to the public’s attention. If one person can be saved from the devastation this surgery can cause, he will have performed a great service.”

-Wellington S. Tichenor, M.D., Creator of award-winning website http://www.sinuses.com/, and wrote the introduction for this book

Chris is addressing a tremendously important issue in otolaryngology. Empty nose syndrome is a real entity that requires further investigation. Although Chris' book is written for the general public, I truly hope my colleagues in ENT will read this book and take it to heart.

-Steven M. Houser, M.D., ENT specialist, MetroHealth Medical Center and the Cleveland Nasal, Sinus and Sleep Center, assistant professor, Case Western Reserve University, and wrote the foreword for this book

Below are some great links for ENS:

Listen to Dr. Kern's lecture on empty nose syndrome
Empty Nose Syndrome Patient Support Forum
Dr. Houser's rhinology, allergy and sinus pages
Dr. Grossan's non-commercial website
Dr. Grossan's explanation of ENS at Allergy Buyer's Club
Dr. Grossan's commercial website
Dr. Wellington Tichenor's explanation of empty nose syndrome
Testimonials from ENS sufferers
Sinusitis: A Treatment Plan that works for Allergy and Asthma Too
Walt's Postnasal Drip website
ENS means significant nasal problems by Walt Ballenberger
Snortal Portal Blog
Turbinates tutorial
Nose tutorial
Respiratory system tutorial
Obstructed Nose: turbinate surgery options and mention of empty nose syndrome
Grand Rounds Presentation on Atrophic Rhinitis
Need turbinate surgery?
Your nose: the guardian of your lungs
Web MD website
UCSD Nasal Dysfunction Clinic
The Mayo Clinic
Website for researching scientific articles
Cold Tree Press

How to Order

Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! was released into distribution on August 30, 2007. It is available in english in both the United States and many international countries (through Amazon), such as Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and so forth. You will need to check with Amazon for your particular country to see if it is available there. This paperback book is now available for purchase from the following online sites:
Click here to buy from Coldtreepress.com
Click here to buy from Amazon.com
Click here to buy from Barnesandnoble.com (currently the lowest price)
Click here to buy from Booksamillion.com

I encourage you to try to purchase this book for the lowest possible price by clicking on one of the links below:
Compare prices for Having Nasal Surgery? at Alldiscountbooks.net
Compare prices for Having Nasal Surgery? at Bookfinder4you.com

Read below why it will only be sold as a paperback:

I have entertained the possibility of making Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! an ebook, but with time, thought, and some logical reasons, I have decided a paperback only is best.The reason? An ebook, although I would make 100% of the retail price if I sold it through my website, might appeal more to someone who "wants it fast" and might not read the book as thoroughly, or who might be tempted to distribute it to friends (who also don't read the book carefully). Conversely, a paperback looks more professional than an adobe pdf, it is easier on the eyes, and those who purchase a paperback are more apt to read it and take it seriously. I want people to read my book closely and take it very seriously. That's my mission. I only make 30% (or $3.88) for paperback books sold directly through Cold Tree and 15% (or $1.94) for books sold through other outlets, such as amazon. But my goal in writing this book is not to profit but to generate greater awareness on empty nose syndrome (ENS), and I believe selling a paperback will help me reach that goal much more effectively and quickly than selling it as an ebook.

Articles and News

You can read Chris' articles by clicking on the links below:

"Why You Must Enter Nasal Surgery Informed"http://ezinearticles.com/?id=751407

"Could You Possibly Have, Gulp, Empty Nose Syndrome?"http://ezinearticles.com/?id=751401

"A Nose Destroyed When Turbinates Are Terminated"http://ezinearticles.com/?id=751397

"Why You Must Do Pulsatile Nasal Irrigation Even If You're Healthyhttp://ezinearticles.com/?id=751410

Three Effective Treatment Principles for Sinus Sufferers"http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Effective-Treatment-Principles-For-Sinus-Sufferers&id=693808http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=587918

Press Release: Empty Nose Syndrome, No Laughing Matter. What it is, and what you can do about it!http://emptynosesyndrome.blogspot.com/2007/08/press-release-empty-nose-syndrome-no.html

On September 27th, the Life & Times of Utica (http://www.lifeandtimesofutica.com/) featured an article regarding Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!

On October 29th, the Utica Observer-Dispatch (http://www.uticaod.com/) will feature a brief in the Healthy Living section regarding Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!

Comprehensive Testimonials

Chris Martin's book is excellent and I recommend it to patients. ENS is so little understood or appreciated by the ENT profession. I am attending the national ENT convention and for the first time there is discussion of care to spare the mucosa and prevent ENS, this has come about from patient advocacy. I think patients benefit when they can discuss with the doctor, "will this procedure cause ENS and are there alternatives?"Because of my connection with the Hydro Pulse I probably hear from more persons with ENS than the average doctor so I can appreciate what the patient feels.The important point is that ENS is preventable and this book will go a long way to that prevention. Yes, if you are having ENT surgery read this book.

-Murray Grossan, M.D., Author of The Sinus Cure and inventor of the Grossan HydroPulse Nasal-Sinus Irrigation System. This was stated in a letter posted at http://www.postnasaldrip.net/ on 9/18/2007.

Chris has written a compelling and comprehensive account of his own personal experience with a relatively unknown affliction known as Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS). ENS is basically a surgically ruined nose that does not properly humidify and sense air flow, preventing it from performing its basic functions of smell and controlled, natural breathing. I can attest to the reality of this condition, as I have experienced many of the symptoms outlined in this book, as a result of nasal surgery involving my turbinates. If you are experiencing undefined, or hard to explain nasal dryness and crusting, loss of sense of smell, and uncontrolled breathing through your nose, this is a valuable and singular resource for gaining important insight that may not be provided from your local ENT. The complications and potential side effects of nasal surgery are not completely understood by many in the medical community (otolaryngology included), and as a patient that contends with sinus difficulties or is contemplating surgery, this book will serve as an enlightening introduction into the complexities of the nose. I know that I took for granted this amazingly complex organ and Chris's book will make sure that you don't repeat other's mistakes or suffer the potentially devastating effects of nasal surgery.

-Paul (New York, USA)

Chris has done an amazing job putting together this book for himself and others considering or have had nasal surgery. Please take the time to read this if you’re considering nasal surgery or if you've already had it. I truly believe this book can be a guide to helping those who had nasal surgery gone bad and to those who are considering nasal surgery.

-Tony Ponte (Alberta, Canada)

I have read through the book and have found it really helpful. Chris' story is inspiring...how he has suffered with ENS for so long and manages to still have a positive outlook. I think it covers a lot of important information, both technical and emotional. It is a book that many people could read - sufferers of ENS, friends and family, people thinking about getting surgery. It has helped me to gain a better understanding of what to expect, what turbinates are, their functions in the body, and how to better live with this serious condition. Oh! I wish I was informed like this before the surgery. I would definitely suggest this book to my friends and family so that they have a better understanding of what ENS is and what it entails. There are so many people every year who get butchered by doctors who for one reason or another do not inform their patients properly of the procedure and possible side effects. This is a problem in many areas of medicine. Chris' book is a reminder not to go blindly into surgery but also to live bravely with things one cannot change.

-S. Kramer (New York)

This is a comprehensive book about sinus surgery and empty nose syndrome for the general public. ens is a poorly understood real complication of sinus surgery. this book provides a good explanation of ens and its treatments

-Peggy (Cleveland, Ohio)

Your book is very well written and informative. I almost get sick to my stomach reading some of your experiences with ENTs and trying to get them to understand your symptoms. Great job on the book and you are truly an inspiration! Thank you very much for your excellent book!

-Tom

I have to say that I am impressed. The book is an easy read and Chris does an exceptional job at putting some rather complex concepts into layperson's terms. If you have ever wondered "what the heck is this person talking about?" when reading posts on the ENS forum then this is the book for you. For example, I found the glossary particularly useful as I was never quite sure what "Rhinitis" was or how you spell it. The story of his journey through the world of ENTs rings all too familiar, and he does a very good job at examining various nasal surgery techniques and ENS medical treatments. Chris, I would like nothing more than for your book to sweep the country and for you to appear on Dr. Phil or Oprah spreading the word. For all of you coming to this forum, this is $12.95 (U.S currency for you canadians) well spent.

-Anonymous Source

You have written a valuable book for ENS sufferers and the medical community. In later correspondence, she wrote: I have said this before, but I am really impressed with your book and hope Cold Tree can give it great distribution. As you know audiences for the book will include both lay people who are considering surgery or treatment and the medical community hence the index must be accessible to both. Given these considerations, I will include a peer review to be certain I give this fine, informative book the index it deserves!

-Margy Olmstead, indexer for Having Nasal Surgery?

Chris Martin's book is very helpful to anyone considering having nasal surgery, or anyone whom has undergone it and is experiencing troubling symptoms. The book is easily read by the layperson (me). Furthermore, Chris taps into the personal feelings and struggles that coincide with having an empty nose. Unfortunately, this condition is not understood by many ENTs. I can personally attest to how damaging it is, not only physically, but psychologically too. Especially when this is misdiagnosed and leads to a 2nd or 3rd procedure. Chris provides a fine resource of information to the reader. Finally, he concludes the book with a ray of hope; How progress is being made by a select number of doctors who are willing to take the time to further understand this devastating condition.

-Matt (Indiana)

Anyone considering sinus surgery or having sinus problems needs to read this book first!!! ENS is real and you don’t want to get it!

-Jeeves

Chris Martin put a lot of time and energy into writing this book, to raise awareness on this highly debilitating condition that is widely unknown to many, and in some cases even ignored. As someone who is currently suffering ENS symptoms, his personal story really hits close to home and provides me with inspiration, hope and treatment suggestions from a 10-year ENS veteran.

Turbinates are a common source of nasal obstruction and therefore reducing them is a common surgical procedure to reduce congestion. They are also highly complex and their importance is largely misunderstood, even in the medical community. Reducing them too much, or by using a method that damages too much healthy tissue, results in irreversible consequences. This book explains the turbinates, their role in nasal function and also all the different methods used to reduce them. By reading this book, you will be well prepared to understand their importance and the safest surgical options in reducing them. Or you can find out just how important these vital nose organs are, the hard way. You can have your nasal surgery, unaware of any negative consequences as I did, and once you have ENS you will truly understand how important your nose and the turbinates are for your overall well-being. I think you know what to do... just read the book! For those of you that already have ENS, or suspect you might because you still experience difficult breathing among other things after your nasal surgery, this book provides information on the most important ways to treat ENS. If you have recently had surgery, or if you are considering it, buy this book so that you can be well prepared to practice all the treatments mentioned within. Some ENS symptoms have a chance of resolving within a year after surgery, but those chances rely heavily on the actions you take to promote optimal healing.

Even if you don't experience any ENS symptoms, most of the suggestions in the book would be helpful to a healing nose after the trauma of surgery. The amount of references cited in each individual chapter is very impressive and will earn your respect and trust. ENS is real, and it is honestly the worst medical problem I have ever experienced, and unless it resolves within a year, it doesn't go away. This book should be read by anyone considering nasal surgery, those who have already had surgery, and anyone who practices nasal surgery.

ENS is a truly distressing and uncomfortable condition, both physically and mentally that is with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's impossible to fully understand it until you've had your turbinates amputated and you see the difference, much like having your hand amputated after enjoying full use for your entire life. There is no going back, and at this time there are no doctors in Canada with any significant ENS experience or practice with ENS specific implant surgery which improves symptoms. There are a small few in the United States that acknowledge ENS and even less that have experience in treating it, but Canadian health insurance is very unlikely to cover this treatment outside of the country. I would assume that for most people, traveling to the United States and paying thousands of dollars from your pockets to gain some relief (but in most cases not 100%) to be difficult to manage. Being a young student myself, with little income it certainly doesn't seem very feasible that I will be able to afford proper care anytime soon. My only choice right now is to live with a condition that for many, constantly begs for relief every minute of every day.

We all know the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". In consideration of ENS and its symptoms, it might be more appropriate to say that an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Well this book certainly weighs more than an ounce and it could be the difference between preventing or living with an action that you may regret for the rest of your life. If you have any choice in the matter, you do not want ENS. There has even been documented cases of suicide because of ENS.

Do yourself, all ENS sufferers out there, and Chris a great favor right now: stop reading this review, and start reading this book! It could save your life.

-Ryan Webb (Ontario, Canada)

How would you feel if you went into a surgical procedure to help alleviate a physical problem, only to learn after the surgery is completed that the surgeon created a much more devastating problem than the one you went into surgery to cure, even though the surgeon followed accepted medical practices? In fact you also later find out that over 50% of the people who come down with this artificially created illness meet the definition of clinically depressed, and this is on top of and because of the awful physical anguish which was the result of the initial surgery. And the icing on the cake is that the problems caused in surgery cannot be reversed. The above scenario sounds almost unreal, but this is what happens to victims of ENS, or Empty Nose Syndrome.

Anyone who is contemplating sinus surgery should read this book. Also, anyone who has a friend, colleague, or family member who is facing sinus surgery should urge those people to read this book as well. Christopher Martin has written an important book about ENS.

In layman's terms what happens is this: during sinus surgery all or a portion of the turbinates in the nose are extracted. It has been fairly common practice in the past for turbinates to be cut out because they sometimes can block nasal passages. Not much was known about the functions of the turbinates, and it was felt that extracting them wouldn't cause much harm. In fact the term ENS did not even appear until 1994 when Dr. Kern, formerly of the Mayo Clinic, coined the term when he was treating patients complaining about sinus infections and congestion, which was puzzling because their nasal passages were wide open. In fact they appeared to have an empty nose, and thus the term was coined for this condition. These people felt so miserable that, according to Dr. Kern, two of the patients he was treating committed suicide.

Martin discusses the basics about how the nose works. He talks about mucous tissue, cilia, and how mucus in the nose is normally disposed of. Of course he discusses the turbinates and the functions they perform, such as directing air flow, providing air flow resistance, warming and humidifying air before it reaches the lungs, etc. He discusses the symptoms of ENS, traces the history of various nasal surgical procedures, even discusses the politics of ENS and why many ENT specialists are not very aware of it or don't consider it seriously. He also talks about various surgery options and gives an opinion about which procedures are the safest and most risky in terms of ENS.

And of course he tells his own story. Here is a young man of only 27 years of age with a young family. He has had to deal with this condition virtually all of his adult life. Here is an excerpt: "While there are times I have felt confident and strong, I will concede there are times when I cried. I cried because of the severity of this problem and the constant management of it. I cried because I want to have more energy for my wife and children, for people other than myself, but I find myself preoccupied with my nose and depleted of such energy. It seemed selfish to be so consumed with my nose, but I could not avoid it. I wish I could say that I never complained, but I cannot. It is ENS with which I have been dealing and ENS is a difficult condition to endure." Martin offers extensive commentary about how he personally deals with his condition and gives suggestions and encouragement for other ENS sufferers.

In the Introduction of the book, Dr. Wellington S. Tichenor, a medical specialist in sinusitis in New York City who often treats patients who have had surgeries that did not work, says the following: "I have been overwhelmed by the devastation that ENS patients experience. As a result of an iatrogenic (caused by medical treatment) origin, the lives of these productive individuals have been profoundly affected. Before their surgery they could go about the lives with varying degrees of difficulty, but after it they were completely disabled." He adds, "Too many surgeons today believe they can indiscriminately remove large amounts of turbinate tissue and, indeed, there remains controversy in the field whether this surgery can be done with minimal complications. I am a strong proponent of conservative turbinate surgery that consists of removing the smallest amount of tissue possible."

If I were to criticize the book I would offer the opinion that Martin is sometimes too technical. I understand why he is doing this, as he wants to fully explain the condition and what to do about it. However, he often sounds like an ENT, which he is not. He clearly explains in his disclaimer at the outset of the book that he is not a medical professional, and I expect he had several ENTs review the book, and they apparently didn't ask him to change what has been published. For all I know everything he says and every medical term he uses are correct, and I would not be surprised if that were the case. It just seems to me that he sounds at times like an ENT, and I would respectfully question his credentials to do so.

What is clear, however, is that he certainly has sufficient credentials to speak about ENS, and his message is powerful and important and clearly overrides the comments in the previous paragraph. I personally have had two sinus surgeries and consider myself lucky and thankful that Empty Nose Syndrome hasn't happened to me.

For a few dollars to buy the book and a couple of hours to read it, sinus sufferers who are considering surgery can learn a great deal about their condition and can possibly prevent themselves very serious problems in the future. It is certainly worth the time and money.

-Walter Ballenberger, founder of http://www.postnasaldrip.net/, a website for sinusitis sufferers such as himself (Monument, CO)

Chris Martin has written the ultimate "Bible" for anyone considering nasal surgery in general, and more specifically for those who have breathing problems related to swollen turbinates and are considering turbinate reduction surgery. This book will also serve as the ultimate guide for how to improve the lives of those who have already had the misfortune of overzealous resections of their turbinates and are now struggling with ENS.

"Having Nasal Surgery?" is the first ever book on ENS. The coping strategies and tips detailed in this book can benefit not only ENS sufferers, but also all those who suffer from chronic nasal problems and discomfort, such as chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, and every otherwise healthy individual who simply wants to learn how to better deal with the most common medical problems affecting humanity: the common cold and nasal obstruction. "Having Nasal Surgery?" is addressed to the layman and medical professionals alike. It is written as an easy and well-flowing read, but at the same time is backed and packed with scientific references from the latest medical literature published in leading medical journals. True, Chris Martin is not a doctor himself, but the fact that his book is endorsed by well-known and acclaimed doctors - such as Drs. Grossan, Tichenor and Houser - with a foreword by Dr. Houser himself (a leading authority on ENS) adds greatly to the scientific and medical credibility of this book.

Chris tells of his personal misfortune of suffering from ENS due to an over aggressive surgery he had in his late teens. As a fellow sufferer, I can testify firsthand that his descriptions are honest and accurate. Sadly, ENS is a devastating medical condition which has a very negative impact on the sufferer's well-being and quality of life.

I hope that ENT and facial reconstructive specialists and plastic surgeons will embrace this book just as much as I know their ENS patients will. I hope that through this book they will better understand the depth of suffering from ENS and realize their responsibility to 1) not only avoid destroying the mucosal structures of the nose when they perform nasal and sinus surgeries of all sorts, but also 2) that they will recognize the fact that for many decades now patients have been over "turbinectomized" and as a result there are potentially millions of patients in the world today suffering from ENS symptoms and are misdiagnosed because of overmasking other pre-existing conditions and not enough awareness to ENS.

I hope that one of the accomplishments of this book will be that these doctors begin to more aggressively search for those misdiagnosed ENS patients and that they will maximize their efforts to help improve their symptoms and utilize their knowledge and skills to come up with viable medical solutions (surgical and others) to rebuild or regenerate amputated turbinates.
-ENS Member T.E.

I truly wish that this book had been available prior to my nasal surgeries. I did research, but nothing that would have prepared and informed me like Chris Martin's book. It is very detailed and heartfelt. For those who have already rolled the dice and lost with a nasal surgery, this book offers hope, support and many helpful suggestions. ENS is real! Even with a "conservative" surgery, it is still possible to experience a myriad of debilitating symptoms. Doctors are often dismissive and unhelpful. Hopefully this book will begin to turn that tide.

-ENS Member R.E.

The nose is an organ of the human body that can be afflicted with a number of serious ailments to health. These problems include such conditions as rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and empty nose syndrome (ENS). It has only been in recent years that physicians have come to understand and treat ENS. But there are still a great many doctors unfamiliar with this syndrome and the treatment options that sufferers have to choose from. An ENS sufferer himself, Christopher Martin has written a comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader friendly' introduction to what ENS is, what can be done about it, and what to be aware of in various treatment options in "Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!” Christopher relates his own personal account of coping with ENS, offers an informed and informative evaluation of turbinate surgeries with respect to nasal conditions, provides an 'insider' look at the politics surrounding ENS within the medical community, and identifies the best treatments for ENS, many of which are also efficaciously applicable to sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, GERD, and asthma. Invaluable reading for medical students, physicians, and non-specialist general readers, "Having Nasal Surgery" is especially recommended for personal, professional, and community library Health & Medicine reference collections and reading lists.

-Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review

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.

-Kirkus Discoveries

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, Foreword Clarion Review

The frightening thing about the human body is that it can break down in thousands of ways, and it is impossible to prepare for every contingency. Between the endless variety of specialty doctors, conditions dramatized by hospital television shows and words far larger than an average vocabulary, it's easy to be either terrified by the possibilities or caught off guard when an unheard of condition enters your life. When this happens, the only way to confront the problem is to educate yourself as best you can - and if you have empty nose syndrome (ENS), Christopher Martin's "Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!" is the ideal resource. One of the first books on the subject, it is ideal for both the typical person considering nasal surgery and doctors who may not know enough about the condition. ENS, as Martin describes it, is a condition resulting from the removal of inner tissue known as turbinates following nasal surgery. This removal leaves the patient unable to breathe properly, with a string of chronic health problems including shortness of breath, nasal dryness, thick mucus and an inability to sleep. The discomfort caused by these symptoms frequently leads to distraction and depression, especially since many doctors don't even know how to treat ENS. Martin, who has lived with ENS since 1997, provides it with a much-needed personal connection. He tells his story in detail, beginning with his flawed surgery and showing specifically how the condition impacted his life and the choices he had to make. Through it all, with the exception of a few wistful "what if" statements, Martin maintains a positive tone and a desire to move forward. The book is not only useful for those looking for a personal story of ENS, but also to anyone who suffers from it and is looking for relief. Martin provides the reader with a comprehensive list of treatments, ranging from practical everyday remedies (even providing recommendations on what brand of nasal spray and gel to use) to recommending a certain type of surgery if necessary. For those who are looking for more in-depth information on ENS, he includes an appendix of medical texts, websites and specialized doctors. "Having Nasal Surgery?" is an ideal sourcebook on ENS - informative without being dense, written in a coherent style and filled with first-hand experience on the condition. It's a book that all nasal doctors should have on their shelves and be ready to pass onto patients looking for answers.

-Les Chappell, BookReview.com

ENS sufferer, Christopher Martin, has written a very comprehensive book about his experience with ENS. ENS, or Empty Nose Syndrome, is defined in this book as, "...a cluster of symptoms in individuals who had a turbinate reduction or excision surgery that resulted in removal of too much turbinate tissue, leaving the nose "empty or wide open and the turbinates unable to function properly." Turbinates, which are located in our nasal cavities, help to warm and humidify air. When a person has turbinate reduction surgery, this can lead to ENS if too much turbinate tissue is removed. This problem is iatrogenic in origin, meaning that it is caused by medical treatment and not something that is genetic in origin. An ENS sufferer is described as having, "...the sensation of not getting enough air despite a wide open nasal cavity, nasal dryness, and thick, sticky mucus." In addition to having their quality of life reduced as a result of this, many people that have ENS also are highly susceptible to depression and future sinus problems. Mr. Martin wrote this book with the hope of making people aware of the complications that can result from turbinate reduction surgery. He offers suggestions for alternative treatments that could be used to avoid having this surgery. People who have sinus, allergy and postnasal drip problems would also benefit from these treatments which include natural, medical, dietary, and environmental remedies. Mr. Martin has been dealing with this issue for ten years. He openly discusses his experiences with a variety of medical doctors and the differing opinions that he was offered. He felt fortunate to finally be able to find the doctors that were able to help him with his problem. These doctors also help contribute to this book. His personal disclosures make the book very interesting. I was also very impressed with the amount of references that he cites in each chapter to help back up his information. People that would benefit from reading "Having Nasal Surgery?" include those close to people with ENS, people considering turbinate reduction surgery, those suffering from ENS, those with sinus and allergy problems, and the doctors involved with this type of treatment. I cannot imagine a more comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand source of information for the people whose lives would be improved by accessing this information. I truly hope that people who are planning to have nasal surgery will find this book before they go through the surgery, and not have to experience what Mr. Martin and numerous other people have had to.

-Paige Lovitt, Reader Views

About the Author

After developing empty nose syndrome (ENS) as a result of surgery in 1997, Chris Martin completed 7 years of college and is a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) in Upstate New York.

Despite living with empty nose syndrome for the past 10 years and knowing how tough it can be, Chris still considers himself tremendously blessed because he is married to his beautiful wife Colleen, has two sweet daughters, Faith, age 3, Abigail, age 1, and one son, Luke, who is 6 months old.

Book Excerpts

Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! is now available on the Amazon "Search Inside" feature. Please click on the link below to do a search inside of this book through Amazon. I hope you enjoy browsing Having Nasal Surgery?
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I'm done with ENS....

Let me clarify.

Don't get me wrong. I will always advocate for ENS sufferers if the media or doctors are to contact me in the future, for example, but I need to move on with my life and focus on other important aspects that merit attention.

Many of the people who read this blog likely don't know me on a personal level anyhow and my various interests. For instance, they don't know that I enjoy playing tennis passionately, as the feeling of smashing a tennis ball with all my might (no matter where it lands!) is a great thing. In fact, somehow I earned tennis scholarships (offering a small stipend toward tuition) to 2 small colleges in the state of Kansas as a freshman in college. I declined both offers, as I had a better academic scholarship at another college in Kansas. Upon transferring back to New York, I played on the community college's tennis team anyway and that was grand. I had a great time. Academically, I had been rejected from Cornell University in my application as a freshman in college. And I was determined to prove that I could be accepted at Cornell, perhaps out of a surreal dream for me to go to Cornell or maybe it was where my heart was at that time, I don't know. After two years at the local community college, I was accepted into the College of Human Ecology as a family development and human studies major (which is a state-run Cornell college so it would have cost less than the private colleges at Cornell). But I ended up declining the offer because, shortly after the acceptance, I realized I could go to a local college for a much lower price and it offered me a terrific education. I was at that time saddened to think I had given up what could have been an Ivy League education, but I don't regret it now. I recall sitting on the back porch of my parents' house and just crying with my then-girlfriend (now wife) about the thought of moving away from her and losing two years of our lives apart. In retrospect, I firmly believe I made the right decision by staying local and not missing anytime apart from her. I saved money with the college choices I made, this local college really enhanced my writing skills, and I got a job right after graduate school - actually, I was offered 3 jobs. Today, I have been greatly blessed with not only a job that can support my family, but also with a wonderful wife and 3 children - two daughters and one son. They all are so unique and special. My faith is an important part of my life; I enjoy playing most sports, but especially tennis; reading the Bible or inspirational or health books; spending time with my wife and children; too many hobbies to list, including uptake of the house, its projects, and the vegetable garden in our backyard; and one of my dreams was to write a book, either on a topic related to my profession (such as ADHD) or about my faith that uses a Christian perspective (such as parenting or on a moral issue); while these are important topics, I saw the urgency to write about empty nose syndrome since I myself have suffered from it and I did. I achieved this dream.

Frankly, I believe that Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! has been effective at raising awareness for empty nose syndrome on many levels.

• It has caused some people to think about how they could personally take action on behalf of ENS.
• It has even held some doctors more accountable; not only have the scientific aspects of this book been used for legal purposes, but I am aware of cases where the book has been used to ask a doctor questions about nasal surgery, with great outcomes from it (and this was from a doctor whose patients were buying my book, if you get my drift!).
• It has encouraged some doctors to re-think about how to best treat ENS, while the few brave doctors have taken increased interest in surgical treatments for ENS. Dr. Houser's practice, for instance, has seen a significant increase in patients seeking reconstructive surgery (i.e., Alloderm implants) since my book, which came out at the same time as his research article, Surgical Treatment for Empty Nose Syndrome.
• Despite many hours of trying and good faith attempts, no my book has not appeared on Oprah nor garnered national media attention, but honestly that's OK because it is making a difference with patients who are hurting and it has encouraged and renewed the interest of the few brave doctors who really want to help us.
• Bottom line: it has gotten the ball moving, with interest in ENS among patients and doctors throughout the world, which is more than I could have hoped would happen. It has started a movement.

Now it's time for me to move on.

But I'm not finished yet. Here's my game plan or the exit strategy, if you will: I have received donations from two people who want to see ENS awareness continued. To use this money toward that end, on July 9th I am flying across the country to a prestigious hospital to visit some doctors who might be financing a study on ENS. I will be a patient, to be sure, but I will also be an example of a informed and passionate patient who has benefited from surgical reconstruction for ENS (which might be the focus of their study). So it works both ways. I will meet a friend of mine and his wife while there as well who has a keen interest in seeing ENS awareness continued. Beyond that, I plan to step down from being the webmaster at http://www.emptynosesyndrome.org/ shortly, as I look to transfer this position to someone else. I will also write two more Internet articles, with one being about my treatment plan (some ideas that extend beyond what is written in the book) and an article about how best to raise awareness for empty nose syndrome. The treatment ideas in the book are actually quite comprehensive, as they cover many areas, but I thought further elaboration on some treatment strategies is in order so the readers can be even more equipped to better themselves. One of my own recent interests of ENS is on foods we eat and how they have an impact on our sinus health. These Internet articles will also be posted here and on the Internet in various article sites, for free. Then I'm done.

My personal health situation: I have overall improved and I have been treated by some of the best doctors in the country for sinusitis, allergies and empty nose syndrome. I still have days where I have some struggles, such as some dryness in my right nostril and mild nasal, sinus and throat inflammation, and I might at a later time get further treatment from doctors, surgical or non-surgical, but my treatment ideas have helped me for now; I'm not cured, but helped.

My blog and Internet website (http://www.emptynosesyndrome.net/) will remain, and of course the website, http://www.emptynosesyndrome.org/ will remain with a new webmaster, with the belief all these sites will continue to raise awareness for empty nose, but the first two sites will not be active or updated regularly.

It has been a real pleasure corresponding with many of you and striving to raise awareness for empty nose syndrome, and I believe that in large measure this goal has been accomplished. Thank you for your interest. I wish you all well and my prayer is that you would be in good health and that your sinus issues would be under control.

#1 in Germany Otolaryngology Books

The below Amazon.com listing showed that my book was the #1 otolaryngology book in Germany as of today, June 11, 2008, at 10:46 PM EST (these rankings change hourly or daily, so I have to celebrate when I can). Isn't that great? If only I could speak a small bit of German, I would celebrate in this language. Oh, and I received an offer today of someone who might be interested in translating "Having Nasal Surgery?" into the spanish language by next summer. I am elated....this is all terrific news for the cause of empty nose syndrome worldwide.....

Produktinformation
Taschenbuch: 236 Seiten
Verlag: Cold Tree Pr (August 2007)
Sprache: Englisch
ISBN-10: 1583851976
ISBN-13: 978-1583851975
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 21,6 x 14 x 1,8 cm
Durchschnittliche Kundenbewertung: Noch keine Kundenrezensionen vorhanden: Schreiben Sie die erste!
Amazon.de Verkaufsrang: #18.167 in English Books (Die Bestseller English Books)
Beliebt in diesen Kategorien:
#1 in
English Books > Medicine > Specialties > Otolaryngology
#1 in
English Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Medicine > Surgery > Otolaryngology

Canadian ENS sufferers needed - don't miss this golden opportunity

I have been contacted by Ashleigh Russell of Global News TV, which is based in Ontario, Canada. She is working on a story about a surgical procedure said to relieve allergy sufferers of breathing problems and she came across the www.emptynosesyndrome.org website and was wondering if some Canadian ENS sufferers might be interested in contributing to this story.

Ashleigh said, "I think it's really important to hear the other side of nasal surgeries where results aren't as pleasant as hoped."

So, please, please consider offering her some feedback or encouraging your fellow Canadians to take action, as this is a golden opportunity to raise ENS awareness among the media in Canada. Her contact details are as follows:

Ashleigh Russell
Family Health Intern
Global Television News
416-446-5589
asrussell@globaltv.com

Press Release - Having Nasal Surgery? Wins Award

Having Nasal Surgery? wins Bronze Medal in National Book Contest

Christopher Martin of Upstate New York, author of Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! won an Independent Publisher Book Award for 2008, placing as a Bronze Medalist in theHealth/Medicine/Nutrition category.

Mr. Martin is excited to have received this award, noting that emptynose syndrome (ENS) – a chronic condition that results from an overly aggressive nasal surgery – merits far greater attention and understanding in the medical field. Symptoms of empty nose syndrome (ENS) include shortness of breath (despite a wide open nose), thick mucus, throat irritation, shallow sleep, high rates of depression, and even documented cases of suicide.

Having Nasal Surgery? has been favorably reviewed by Midwest Book Review, Kirkus Discoveries, and ForeWord Clarion, and has been well-received by top doctors in the field, including Mayo Clinic doctors.

Mr. Martin noted that the principal cause of ENS is removal of the turbinates in the nose. Turbinates are structures that warm and shape the airflow inside the nasal passages. They are often surgically reduced in an attempt to improve breathing. If too much of the turbinates are removed, the nose becomes unable to properly direct airflow to the lungs and chronic breathing problems result.

Since ENS often goes undiagnosed, Having Nasal Surgery? aims to educate physicians and the public about the importance of theturbinates and the impact of overly aggressive surgery on them. Mr.Martin advocates for a standard protocol that mandates allergy treatment and pulsatile saline irrigation prior to performing turbinate reductions. When surgery is performed, more conservative procedures should be used to minimize removal of essential tissues.

Mr. Martin also hopes that further awareness will encourage ENT doctors to explore and perfect reconstructive surgical options for ENS sufferers. Some research has been performed, but much more remains to be done. Barriers to a full understanding of ENS remain to be overcome, including a lack of understanding of airflow dynamics in the nose, concerns about litigation, and the field's orientation toward surgical cures for breathing problems.

For further information, please visit www.emptynosesyndrome.net and watch youtube ENS testimonial videos at http://www.emptynosesyndrome.org/. Mr. Martin may be contacted by email at webmaster@emptynosesyndrome.org.

Three goals for ENT specialists on empty nose syndrome

When we think about ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, what exactly is it that we really want from them? Why do we want more awareness among them? Here is what I think are three goals we want from the ENT profession:

1) To simply understand and become knowledgeable about ENS, so they can diagnose the currently undiagnosed. The doctors can identify the specific symptoms and its relation to the specific turbinate reductions. If we have a problem, just like any other sufferer of a serious condition, we deserve to have our problem correctly identified and offered appropriate treatment options. The difference between us and a cancer patient, is at least they get treated. These previously undiagnosed sufferers should thus be able to get appropriate help. And I don't mean a cure because there isn't one available; I just mean being offered the best options available to relieve the suffering.

2) We want ENTs to develop a position statement and legal mandate in the field about nasal surgeries (and its relation to ENS), and properly inform patients, so that ENTs would not cause ENS to other prospective nasal surgery patients. I personally believe ENTs should be required to mandate allergy treatment and saline irrigation prior to performing a turbinate reduction. This is a selfless reason, because the damage has already been done to us ENS sufferers; however, we know how damaging ENS can be and want to save others. A position paper would state what nasal surgeries are most likely to lead to ENS (e.g., total turbinectomies, partial and subtotal turbinectomies, and laser turbinate reductions) and which ones are least likely to lead to ENS (e.g., submucous resection with outfracture or radiofrequency).

3) To explore, refine and perfect reconstructive surgical options for ENS. Dr. Houser is already doing this and he is doing a terrific job at it. ENTs are surgeons. This is how they can help us. What we want is more ENT doctors to take interest in researching and performing reconstructive surgical options for ENS sufferers and perfecting these surgeries so that the surgeons are using the best and most cutting-edge materials available for implants (e.g., SIS, Alloderm); and through experience, they perfect and refine the size, location, and technique of the implants so that ENS sufferers would get optimal relief. ENT doctors could collaborate with plastic surgeons to perfect the technique and research scientists to use the best materials available.

It is point #3, reconstructive surgical options, that is the focus of a new forum section at www.emptynosesyndrome.org.

In my own experiences, I have found some relief from treating ENS with implants, as noted in my book. For example, I have much greater nasal airflow resistance, somewhat deeper sleep, and my nose is overall more moist and the mucus somewhat thinner after the implant. I find the implant to serve a sort of "preservation function" for my nose. In Dr. Houser's research article, it was shown that the implants provide improvement ranging from 25% to 90% relief, but his article also noted that the implants do not significantly relieve pain. The implant thus is not a cure, but it has brought partial relief, for which I am thankful.

What I have also learned in treating ENS is that an implant treats ENS, but its effect is more limited on sinusitis, allergies, asthma, gastroesaphogeal reflux, etc. If you have concomitant problems, you need to treat them as well. Our bodies consist of interdependent organs and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. You are only as strong as the weakest link. You need to treat all issues. And you can often be preventative in treating an issue, such as the more effectively you treat your allergies, the less your symptoms of acid reflux or sinusitis.

Having Nasal Surgery? wins major national award

Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! won an Independent Publisher Book Award 2008, Bronze Medalist, in the National category, Health/Medicine/Nutrition. Please check out item #41 at the following link: http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1231

I am elated and will develop a press release shortly announcing this award, with the hope it will attract media attention.

My visit with Dr. Tichenor and free flights for ENS sufferers

I posted the following message at the General Discussion Forum of www.emptynosesyndrome.org, but thought I'd share these messages here as well.

My visit with Dr. Tichenor

Having improved in various ways via the implants, such as increased moisture and heat in the nasal mucosa leading to thinner mucus, improved sleep, increased airflow resistance, I still have some issues to deal with, so I visited Dr. Tichenor. These issues I am trying to tackle include chronic postnasal drip, irritated throat and sometimes bothersome ears.

The visit with Dr. Tichenor went very well. He was very thorough and gave me red carpet treatment. Dr. Tichenor really showed me he was trying to get to the bottom of my issues, unlike most other doctors. It took me about 1-2 hours to fill out all the paperwork regarding my presenting issues, the biggest of which was an irritated throat. He is a soft-spoken doctor who takes his time and listened to my concerns. The nurse also took quite a bit of time with me before I met with Dr. Tichenor. Dr. Tichenor did 4 mucus samples, taking 2 from my nasal vestibules and 1 from the base of the maxillary sinus where mucus built up, and 1 from the ethmoid sinuses where I have a lot of scarring. Depending on results of the cultures, he will determine whether any additional medicine is warranted. Most doctors don't draw cultures because it is not cost effective medicine. He also had his nurse draw my blood to check out my immune system. I had a pneumonia shot about 2 years ago (you are supposed to get one every 5 years) and he wanted to see if it was effective enough in boosting my immune system. So depending on the results of the blood drawn, his office will determine whether I should proceed with another pneumonia shot. Dr. Tichenor also did a nasal endoscopy using a flexible endoscope -as opposed to a rigid endoscope - which was attached to a video monitor. He talked into the video monitor while investigating my nose. He said I might have some mucus recirculation on both sides of the nose in part caused by the uncinate process and one of the ostia (drainage holes) could be made larger. Dr. Tichenor recommended I do not need surgery if I feel better in the future, particularly with respect to my mucus/postnasal drip issues, and there is always a chance such a surgery could make me worse and some doctors might be reluctant to operate on me anyway given my extensive tissue loss; but I could entertain it at a later time. And if I did it at a later time, it must be done using computer-aided imagery, probably for safety reasons....so I'm not entertaining it now but it is an option for me to improve my sinusitis if need be at a later time, but hopefully I can avoid it (This surgery is the same as the one recommended to me in 2003, as noted in my book, but they would not have used computer-aided imagery, so I'm thankful it was avoided.

Dr. Tichenor is also entertaining possibly giving me a round of allergy tests, as he thinks my allergy injections might not be helping me enough and should be reevaluated. All in all, I felt like this visit I was treated as a first-class citizen and he really seemed to be getting to the root of my sinusitis problems (in part caused by ENS). If I can get some of these issues under better control, such as postnasal drip and my irritated throat and ears, I am going to be doing all right.

Glad I had implants and now I'm glad to be solving the other part of the puzzle....If you are in the NYC area or elsewhere and suffer from allergies or sinusitis in addition to ENS, consider paying Dr. Tichenor an office visit. I was glad I did.....

Lifeline Pilots

Thanks to efforts from my friend Paul (http://emptynosesyndromehope.blogspot.com), he has notified me that LifeLine Pilots (http://www.lifelinepilots.org) has agreed to offer free charter airline flights to ENS sufferers. This is great news, particularly for those who might be experiencing economic hardship with respect to ENS. I informed Dr. Tichenor of this development and he was encouraged, as he mentions this group on his website as well (http://www.sinuses.com)

Lifeline Pilots the shortest distance between home and hope
Lifeline, Inc. dba LifeLine Pilots Suite 302, Byerly Terminal Greater Peoria Regional Airport 6100 W. Dirksen Parkway, Peoria, IL 61607

Hours: The office is open Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central Time. We are available on a 24/7 basis for changes regarding missions already scheduled or in progress. The after hours cell number may be obtained after hours by calling our toll free number: 1-800-822-7972. Office: 1-309-697-6282 Office Fax: 1-800-822-7969 To speak to a Flight Coordinator: 1-800-822-7972.

E-Mail a general question: mail@lifelinepilots.org

Watch the video testimonials...

I encourage you all to go to www.youtube.com, type the phrase of "empty nose syndrome" and then watch the video testimonials of ENS, including my own. We have so far 5 people granting testimonials on youtube (4 more have done them already but just not posted yet to youtube), and all these testimonials do such a great job at describing their symptoms and all they have been through as ENS sufferers. Please visit them and rate them or offer feedback, as I need to do as well. If you are an ENS sufferer or a doctor who is familiar with treating empty nose patients, please consider making a video for youtube. A short video of 5 minutes could go a long way for ENS awareness.

Also, I want to encourage you to visit my friend's web blog (who would prefer to remain anonymous) at http://emptynosesyndromehope.blogspot.com. This blog is a Christian-based blog for ENS. I enjoyed reading the Scripture and found the song "Praise you in this storm" to be quite soothing.....thanks to this friend for making this blog.

CPAP forum and ENS Awareness

I've noticed some people coming to this blog from the following CPAP forum: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t29862/Turbinate-Reduction-Deviated-Septum-Surgery-Quesiont.html.

While I appreciated the attention brought to empty nose syndrome at this forum, some of the comments made at this forum really made me realize the number of obstacles ENS is up against in raising awareness. Unfortunately, I have ran into these obstacles quite regularly due to widespread lack of knowledge on ENS. Thank goodness for the Internet because, if it were not for the Internet, ENS would still be a totally silent problem and doctors would still be mum about it. Because of the Internet, they are forced to respond and take ENS more seriously, and ENS sufferers can correspond with one another more readily. Lines of communication threaten dictatorships. My book might not have been as successful as it has been, either.

So let me reply to the CPAP forum at this blog. I'd post directly on the forum, but rather than create my own username and password, I thought it would be easier to reply here. If anyone wants to reply to me, they can reply to this blog. I do need more comments at this blog ;)

One of the posters wrote the following myth: "Ignore all the dry nose syndrome warnings, that is rare and can be avoided by following suggestion #1." Suggestion 1 was to go to an experienced, conservative ENT. Here's my reply: Dry nose syndrome ("rhinitis sicca") is a term that seems to downplay the significance of ENS. Many people have dry noses as a temporary complication after nose surgery, but doctors might prefer us confuse a mild, short-term dry nose with something far more serious known as ENS. ENS has not only the long-term complication of dryness, but often many serious symptoms as well. Secondly, the poster claims ENS is rare, another false claim made by doctors who would rather just have us be quiet and disappear. Primary atrophic rhinitis is rare. ENS, sometimes known as secondary atrophic rhinitis, is not. And that's a fact. I had a book signing locally so I learned of many ENS sufferers in my area who have it as a result of turbinate surgeries by a well-liked doctor, not the one who did my surgery. I am aware of other very well-known doctors who are causing ENS as well. I, too, would think it was rare if I did not have it or my book signing. As do most people in my area....although now I know that it is possible hundreds in my immediate area have it. With 400,000-500,000 turbinate surgeries performed each year in the US, it stands to reason that more are suffering from ENS than just a few rare. Many likely have ENS, but don't know it. Their symptoms might be more mild than mine, however.

Another poster commented: "I feel very sorry for anyone who has empty nose syndrome - it is horrible. However, ask your surgeon about it. Mine said it was caused by surgeons reducing the turbinates down to nothing. He said most surgeons are now well aware of it and are careful to leave appropriately sized turbinates." ENS sufferers want respect, not sympathy, but I do appreciate the concern. However, your doctor was wrong in suggesting it is only caused by surgeons who reduce the turbinates to nothing. While it is true that reducing the turbinates down to nothing does cause ENS and doctors are more aware of ENS and conservative than they used to be even just 10 years ago, there is still great ignorance about ENS among doctors and patients, and some patients are still dealing with ENS from surgeries in recent months......Turbinate surgeries where either part or full turbinates are removed, the middles and/or inferiors, can cause ENS. I have corresponded with someone who had just 40% of her inferior turbinates reduced, and she has been experiencing harrowing symptoms. Or consider in Dr. Houser's newest research article, "Surgical Treatment for Empty Nose Syndrome," he describes ENS-Type, which is where the turbinates seem fully intact although previously operated upon, but the patient is still experiencing ENS.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure many doctors would still like us to believe ENS is rare and only happens when an extreme amount of the turbinates are removed, which is really the means to protect a profitable business. Nasal surgery could often be avoided if the patient knew enough strategies to reduce the size of the turbinates through natural means, allergy treatment, proper diet, hydration, saline irrigation, etc.....

As an aside, go to www.youtube.com, search for "empty nose syndrome" and watch these video testimonials. Mine will be posted soon. There are four posted, including one from "Kathy Esckilsen" but 5 others have made videos and hopefully they will be posted soon as well. It shows some testimonials from ENS sufferers; they are revealing and powerful. I look forward to seeing many more in the coming days.

My reply to Jason

Jason,
Here's my opinion for whatever it's worth: the cotton test can help you determine whether you want to follow through with an implant. It is important for determining the size and location of an implant. Since more is being placed in your nose, rather than removing a critical structure as in a turbinectomy, chances are you will only improve. It is adding some needed tissue inside your nose that can partially restore functions. The implant would only make you worse if too much is put in, but this can always be taken out later on if need be.

You mentioned sleep, your earaches and your throat, wondering the effect an implant has on these. In my experiences, the implant has improved my sleep to an extent, as it does increase resistance and helps direct airflow in a more orderly patterns, but has had little effect on my earaches. I still have them. Yet the resistance does seem to have helped my voice get closer to normal most of the time. I have thinner mucus due to increased moisture and heat in my nose, but I do still experience postnasal drip. The jury is still out, in my view, on whether the implants help my throat and perhaps that is because the postnasal drip still impacts upon my throat. I am visiting Dr. Tichenor (http://www.sinuses.com/) who wrote the introduction to my book on April 17th to get further opinion on my ears, nose and throat and will report back here after that. My ears and throat tend to be my most troubling symptoms at present, although I have greatly improved over the years thanks in part to the implants. Going to New York City will not only be helpful for some answers with respect to my nose, but it is also a good opportunity to have fun and it is a time for my father and I to bond.

In the meantime, a friend of mine has started a blog. Check it out: http://emptynosesyndromehope.blogspot.com/

Looking for advice for JS

1 comments:
js said...
Hello to all...I am going to see Dr. Houser on June 5th for an evaluation and a cotton test. Here is my dilema- after getting great advice from Chris and others on how to manage the symptoms of ens, my symptoms have improved. Granted, much of this improvement, I believe, is because of the weather as it is getting into the 40's on a consistent basis in Illinois. I have been subscribing to the GOLDEN RULE of Mucosa health with great benefit. My question to all of you who have implants, or went for a cotton test and chose not to implant is this... should I wait to get implants if Houser offers or should I go ahead with the implants? I must say, fear does play apart of this, as I am afraid to have another person touch me. Sleep and my ears are probably my two worst symptoms. I should probably add in my throat because my ear fullness/ache wraps around my jaw down into the right side of my throat. Also, has anybody wished they did not get the implants because of nasal stuffiness? I guess this would not be a bad thing for me as I feel wide open, not congested or stuffy.One good thing that has come out of my surgeries is that I do not get sinus infections anymore and when I do get a cold it lasts typically 7-10 days, which is very normal. All the pro's and con's on this subject would be greatly appreciated!! Chris... we have discussed this topic before, so I am sorry if this is redudant. Looking forward to as many opinions as possible. Take care.js
March 30, 2008 8:28 AM


JS, looking forward to hearing what others have to recommend to you or share with you. It is interesting how our symptoms seem so similar, yet I have had more battles with sinus infections than you. To the readers of this blog, just click on the time link to post a comment to JS.....(or to read a comment, for that matter)

See 2nd comment and my reply and TE's reply

nicks said...
Hi ChrisThanks for your efforts and keep them up. Rest assured you are doing good for so many people in this world. If you ever have doubts about your efforts never forget the people whom you are helping. They really do apreciate it even if you don't necessarily find out.

My comment:I received my Hydro Pulse although unfortunately I can't use it! The power specifications it runs from (110V 60Hz) are only suitable for USA (and a few other places like Japan). Its no major drama for me as I will be able to use it when we are in KC, but it would be great if like most electronic gizmos these days it could be manufactured to work on 100-240v 50/60Hz so it could be made available to people all over the world (Europe, Australia/NZ, lots of Asia, Africa etc etc). It would also make good business sense too.I was wondering if through your channels to Dr Grossan you could provide this feedback (perhaps even this blog post).
Thanks, Nick
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Nick, you can email Dr. Grossan directly at ENTconsult@aol.com to report your concerns or copy and paste this blog post. I'm not sure what could be done to remedy the situation. You could try using a neti pot in the meantime for irrigation or saline nasal sprays or Neilmed, etc.; or there is the SinuPulse Elite as well, which is another pulsating irrigator, although I'm not sure of its specifications. Hope that helps. Best wishes on your move to America!

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To Nick:The hydropulse irrigator is also availabe for 220-240v countries. You simply need to look for it on the sites that sel it. It says so clearly and I bought 220v one myself. works great!TE.

See the first comment!

Click on the time link under my March 11 blog post, which will bring you to the first person to comment in the life of this blog!

Great post and suggestions - and thanks for sharing your story, JS! Your story rings all too true among ENS sufferers. Most if not all had no idea what turbinates were prior to our nose surgeries. And I'm interested in that sublingual immunotherapy as well...

A mass, but informative email to 361 accounts....

I just sent an email to 361 people I have either corresponded with about ENS or have signed up as members at emptynosesyndrome.org. I am new to sending out such a large email and I learned that my email account webmaster@emptynosesyndrome.org only allows an email to 250 people per day. That said, it took me 2 days to send out this email. Contents of the email included updates for the emptynosesyndrome.org website (send me an email if you want to get involved with improving the site; serious inquiries only), some treatment ideas, such as Craniosacral therapy and exercise, and a Warm Air Mask that ENS sufferers enjoy a 25% discount on (see the post below).

Some interesting statistics of my 3/10-3/11 mass email:

-An email to 361 email accounts.
-34 email accounts out of order.
-2 people who did not want to receive future mailings (that could potentially help them:)

So, that leaves an email that was sent out to 325 members of the ENS site and those I have corresponded with. I have worked on updating the emptynosesyndrome.org website, between adding information on the Warm Air Mask on the home page, updating the news link, and providng a new cover look to the site. It still needs much improving, but I am going to be taking a break for now, maybe for a week or more so I can focus on my family. I have not gotten more than 6.5 hours per sleep on any night over the past week and it's not because of my children. I am tired and my health isn't terrific because I am tired.

Honestly, I wish I could correspond in depth with everyone that emails me, as I care about you all, but my energy level is really dwindling and I have been getting a fairly high number of emails of late - about 8-10 per day in recent days. While I enjoy corresponding with every person who emails me, it takes time. That said, I have removed my juno email account from the http://www.emptynosesyndrome.net/ so people would not contact me about ENS at my juno account. Rather, I have asked that people primarily contact me about ENS at webmaster@emptynosesyndrome.org, because I cannot access this email account at work, which helps me keep work and home life separate. I have also requested that those who do contact me at my webmaster account primarily contact me if they are interested in assisting with the site (serious inquiries).

There is a solution to all this....if you want to correspond about symptoms, post a comment to my blog; or, there is the emptynosesyndrome.org forum to discuss symptoms and treatments with fellow sufferers as well. In the life of this blog, not a single person has posted a comment. I have been told a few have tried, but failed. If people did post on this blog, I can respond at this blog and it can become interactive. All you have to do is click on the time button underneath any blog post and it will lead you to where you can leave a comment. Thanks for reading...and caring :)

God bless,
Chris