Harvard Medical School Guide to Healing Your Sinuses (Harvard Medical School Guides) by Ralph Metson

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #214534 in Books
* Published on: 2005-03-15
* Number of items: 1
* Binding: Paperback
* 256 pages

Editorial Reviews

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From a leading expert at one of the world's most respected medical schools----learn how to beat sinus infections once and for all. Nobody needs to tell you how painful and annoying sinus problems can be--the pounding headaches and congestion, the perpetually runny nose, and the debilitating fatigue, not to mention sleepless nights, lost work, and ruined vacations. Now you can do something about it by learning what a top expert tells his patients.

From the Back Cover

From a leading expert at one of the world's most respected medical schools----learn how to beat sinus infections once and for all

Nobody needs to tell you how painful and annoying sinus problems can be--the pounding headaches and congestion, the perpetually runny nose, and the debilitating fatigue, not to mention sleepless nights, lost work, and ruined vacations. Now you can do something about it by learning what a top expert tells his patients.

In The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healing Your Sinuses, Ralph B. Metson, M.D., a third-generation ear, nose, and throat specialist with more than twenty years of experience, tells you everything you need to know about taming your aching sinuses. A leading national authority in the field, Dr. Metson fills you in on:

* The ABCs of sinusitis, and how to identify the cause of your symptoms
* The entire range of treatments--from saltwater irrigation to laser surgery
* The pros and cons of decongestants, antibiotics, and steroids
* What to expect from surgery, and whether you're likely to benefit from it
* How to develop a total sinus management plan tailored to your needs

About Harvard Medical School Health Guides

Harvard Medical School guides give you the knowledge you need to understand and take control of your health. In every book, a world-renowned expert from Harvard Medical School provides you with the latest information on diagnosis, traditional and alternative treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle changes that can make a powerful difference in your health.

About the Author

Ralph B. Metson, M.D., is a clinical professor at Harvard Medical School who practices at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. His work has been profiled in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and he has appeared on "Good Morning America."

Steven Mardon is a freelance writer specializing in health issues who has written for newsletters, newspapers, and magazines for more than ten years.

Customer Reviews

Great Reference Book for Sinus Sufferers5
The Harvard Guide to Healing Your Sinuses is a valuable resource, which is written in easy-to-understand language that details various sinus conditions, including ones that might seem like sinusitis but are not, and numerous strategies for treating them. In addition, discussions of treatments include helpful thoughts on various methods of sinus surgery, how to prepare for surgery if needed, and what to expect.

I appreciate how, on pages 162-163, Dr. Metson and Mr. Mardon cite empty nose syndrome (ENS) as a "troubling phenomenon," which results from an overly aggressive surgery of the turbinates (inner nasal mucus-producing tissue that performs many critical functions). The description of ENS is accurate, and I am grateful it is noted as a complication of surgery, as not all sinus self-help books acknowledge ENS.

When discussing treatments, The Harvard Guide to Healing Your Sinuses mentions zicam, which is the oral spray form of zinc. The authors note while zinc has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold, particularly when used at the onset of symptoms, it must be sprayed into the nose every four hours for one to two weeks to be effective. A word of caution, though, which also should be highlighted, is that spraying high concentrations of zicam in the nose can lead to burning and destruction of olfactory epithelium, the nerve cells responsible for smell. Consequently, some users of zicam have permanently lost their sense of smell.

This book definitely has much useful information on sinusitis from a highly reputable source. It is a great reference book for sinus sufferers.

Chris Martin, author of Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!

Don't bother2
This isn't the worst book on sinus infections I've ever encountered. However, it does not hold a candle to Sinus Survival (Ivker), and in fact, when compared, seems wholly inadequate. Don't waste your health here.

Excellent book5
This book is well organized and describes sinus problems from minor to major. Several tables summarize treatment, medications, symtoms, etc. Although fairly technical (that's a good thing) the authors didn't 'talk down' to the layman. I found it very helpful and insightful. The book describes many self-treatments in a very orderly fashion.