Can Septoplasty Give You a New Voice?

May 6, 2012 – 4:35 pm

As a Los Angeles sinus surgeon and experienced ENT, I field a lot of questions about the various possibilities and consequences of sinus procedures. One procedure in particular that tends to attract a lot of questions is septal surgery, or septoplasty. I think the reason is that this procedure is most concerned with structures that are possibly visible to others.

I have addressed before the question of cosmetic changes following septoplasty (short answer: not unless you want them), but another question I hear fairly often concerns the voice. Specifically: can correcting a deviated septum actually change the quality or volume of your speaking voice?

Probably not. Although there is some intuitive appeal to the idea that changing the shape of a resonant structure like your nose will have far-reaching effects, the simple truth is that most of us do not pass air through the nostrils when we speak. Of course sound is a complex thing, and there is no question that alterations can affect a few overtones here and there. But for the most part this safe and simple procedure only does what it’s intended to do: clear an airway to improve your breathing day and night.

If you are interested in learning more about septoplasty procedures here in Los Angeles, please contact my LA sinus surgery office today.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

The Mystery of “Airplane Headache”

May 6, 2012 – 4:32 pm

Our sinuses are temperamental structures. At their best, they clean, warm and scrub the air we breathe, and help to equalize the pressure inside our skulls. At their worst, they do the precise opposite of all these things, blazing a trail of misery and sorrow through our lives.

Case in point: the recently documented phenomenon of “airplane headache,” which has been characterized as an acute stabbing pain that tends to occur during landing. Scientists recently conducted a survey of those who suffer from this symptom, and many believe that our sinuses play a starring role.

From CNBC:

In some people, their sinuses may have difficulty equalizing the increase in barometric pressure that occurs when a plane is landing and this may cause pain, suggests Mainardi, a neurologist at SS Giovanni e Paolo Hospital in Venice, Italy.

The exact cause of airplane headaches remain unclear, but it’s likely due to several factors such as the shape of the sinuses, as well as the speed of the aircraft, cabin pressure, and even the maximum altitude reached.

Also worth noting is that many of the people who reported this headache are more prone to headaches generally, suggesting a common pathway or etiology behind headaches in a broader sense.

So what can you do to avoid “airplane headache”? Swallow often when flying, take OTC medications to reduce inflammation and congestion, and go see a Los Angeles sinus specialist if your brain cries “mayday” every time you’re going down.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Out of Town Resources for Sinus Surgery in LA

May 6, 2012 – 4:28 pm

I have been fortunate to receive an increasing number of referrals for sinus surgery from beyond the Los Angeles area. Consequently my practice at the Los Angeles Sinus Institute is fielding more questions than ever about the best places to eat, stay and heal here in the Southland.

Recently I updated my network of Los Angeles sinus websites to include some great resources for patients who may be traveling to LA for a sinus procedure. I have created a custom list of recommendations on the Google Maps interface, and will be adding more points of interest over time.

If you are heading this way for sinus treatment of any sort, do yourself a favor and visit my concierge services online here, here or here.  We can’t wait to see you.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

When Sinus Distress is a Symptom, Not a Cause

April 30, 2012 – 8:32 pm

I have spent time discussing before how sinus issues may be misunderstood. Sometimes they can be easily confused with a common cold or allergies; other times chronic sinus distress may even be a harbinger of cancer.

An interesting article recently discussed another way that sinus symptoms can be a signal of something more serious: via inflammation. Your sinuses are some of the most densely vascularized tissue in the human body,which means they have a higher density of blood vessels closer to the air than you can find in other places. So it’s not surprising that diseases which carry a distinctive inflammation signature may initially present as sinus symptoms.

Case in point: autoimmune diseases. In the linked article, a patient who started with sinus symptoms eventually began to experience joint pain and worse:

He returned to his doctor, who performed blood tests and a CT scan of his lungs. On Nov. 21, 2011, Nelson received a diagnosis: Wegener’s Granulomatosis, an autoimmune disease in which blood vessels become inflamed, making it hard for blood to flow throughout the body.

The disease mainly affects blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and kidneys, which explains why doctors initially thought Nelson had a sinus infection and then pneumonia.

Chronic sinusitis and sinus ailments can occasionally be symptoms of a more systemic medical condition. If you have suffered with these symptoms for many months or years, it is time to visit an expert Los Angeles sinus surgeon right away.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Balloon Sinuplasty on Fox News

April 30, 2012 – 8:29 pm

I have written before about in-office balloon sinuplasty, the incredibly popular new procedure that opens an airway within clogged sinuses in less than an hour. And countless media outlets have taken up the cause, with glowing reports spotted on all the major networks and online venues. Now Fox News has joined the chorus, putting together a video package that compares balloon sinuplasty to angioplasty:

It’s worth a viewing, even if they do butcher the name of the procedure a few times. Some good video footage shows the balloon catheter inflating in real time, and the patient emerges with a typical reaction: “I feel 100 percent better. I can actually breathe and get a good night sleep.”

I have been the leader in Los Angeles balloon sinuplasty procedures since this approach first received FDA approval, and today my practice performs more office balloon sinuplasties than anyone else in Los Angeles. To make an appointment with an expert Los Angeles sinus surgeon today, please contact the Los Angeles Sinus Institute

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Would You Pepper Spray Your Nose?

April 30, 2012 – 8:26 pm

The world of sinus treatments is forever expelling new ideas, from balloon sinuplasty to those Provent apnea plugs. Today we examine the story of one man’s lonely quest to make capsaicin – the chemical that gives hot peppers their fire – into a nasal spray. His big idea is that the same foods which can “clear your sinuses” when you eat them might do an even better job when introduced directly into the nostrils.

This idea is actually not new, but the latest product is, as it contains a mixture of wintergreen and horseradish above the pepper oil base. And it offers a chance to discuss the phenomenon of fiery nasal sprays generally. Is it worth your time to spray an essentially corrosive chemical up your nose in the name of nasal relief?

The short answer is that we don’t know. Enough people use these sprays that it can be anecdotally stated that they probably don’t cause any immediate harm, but the larger question is whether consistent use of a powerful chemical such as capsaicin should even be necessary?

Many sinus ailments that benefit in the short term from sprays come roaring back once the use of those sprays stops. Unfortunately many of the most painful conditions may require sinus surgery, especially the patient suffers from frequent sinusitis or other chronic sinus symptoms.

So if you have long-lasting sinus distress and do not relish the thought of carrying around a vial of weaponized habañeros around all day, do yourself a favor and contact a Los Angeles sinus doctor today.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Cost of Ignoring Acute Sinusitis

April 19, 2012 – 10:01 pm

Sinusitis is a common and extremely uncomfortable ailment that affects millions of Americans every year.  Much has been written about the best ways to prevent and treat sinusitis, from home remedies such as neti pots to more advanced medical interventions such as corticosteroids and sinus surgery.

But one item that does not get discussed nearly as often is, Why?  Why should we be so vigilant in treating sinusitis, and are there other risks aside from the discomfort?

In fact there are.  Acute sinusitis almost always includes an infection, and it is simply dangerous to allow any infection to spread unchecked.  Sinusitis is especially urgent in this regard because of its proximity to the eyes and brain.

Infections typically spread just as you might imagine, extending into the nearest surrounding tissues.  For sinusitis, then, the risks become exponentially more serious: infected bone, eye infections and pressure, even meningitis and brain abscess can result from a freely spreading population of sinus bacteria.

So there it is.  Just another reason to contact a Los Angeles ENT today if you have experienced any sinus symptoms lasting for more than two weeks.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Advantages of Los Angeles Septal Surgery

April 19, 2012 – 10:00 pm

Septal surgery is recommended for individuals whose septum is deviated far enough to one side that the symptoms are noticeable.  These symptoms can run the gamut from labored breathing to difficulty sleeping and more.  Undergoing septoplasty, or septal surgery, can help resolve these symptoms, but many patients don’t realize that it can bring a host of new advantages as well.

Breathe Easier

Breathing is without question the first and most essential advantage.  Most of us breathe through our noses about half the time during the day, and significantly more during sleep.  When a deviated septum is properly centered, the result is a major increase in airflow, which includes the appreciable comfort of breathing with total symmetry instead of always laboring to open one side.

Feel Healthier

There are less obvious advantages to septal surgery as well.  Nosebleeds may arise from a significantly deviated septum, and many patients suffer from an increase in postnasal drip.  Septoplasty can help resolve these symptoms in an afternoon, restoring your comfort while exercising and swallowing.

Sleep Sounder

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea often improve after septal surgery as well.  One of the major challenges of sleeping with a deviated septum is that reduced airflow can drop the pressure in your airways, leading to a collapse of the muscles that usually keep them open.  Septoplasty can restore this airflow, catalyzing a number of improvements “downstream” as well.

Look Better

Septoplasty even comes with some welcome cosmetic effects.  A severely deviated septum is often visible in the face, manifesting in asymmetrical nostrils and even a curved appearance to the nose.  Careful surgery to correct your septum can fix these imperfections as well, which is a collateral effect that many patients welcome.

Live Bigger

Finally it is worth mentioning that labored breathing can lead to a host of broader difficulties, such as headaches, reduced energy, even depression.  Sometimes opening an airway can create a “halo effect” which includes enhanced mood and more, thus altering the patient’s life in a far more fundamental way.

Do you have a deviated septum and want to learn more about expert Los Angeles septal surgery?  Please contact my offices for an appointment today.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Mani Zadeh Sites Now Enhanced with Video

April 19, 2012 – 9:57 pm

Sinus ailments are not always the easiest issues to visualize or imagine.  I know: I have spent years searching for just the right words to explain the nuances of sinus anatomy to my patients.

That task just got a little easier, thanks to a series of video animations from the folks at Eyemaginations.  I have partnered with them to bring some of the world’s best ENT videos to my network of Los Angeles sinus sites, including LosAngelesSinusSurgery.com and LASinus.com.

If you have ever wondered where nasal polyps come from, or what the precise mechanics of sleep apnea are, I urge you to surf over to the sites and watch some of these clean animations.  They are wonderfully made, and I hope they will become a useful tool to you as you enhance your understanding of sinus issues in Los Angeles and beyond.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Is “Sinus Breath” for Real?

April 16, 2012 – 10:36 pm

A couple of you have forwarded me this article from the (Pulitzer Prize-winning?!) Huffington Post, on the various ways that bad breath may be caused by sinus ailments.  In it, a cosmetic dentist opines freely on the various mechanisms that could lead from sinus distress to halitosis.  Money quote:

Post Nasal Drip — Post Nasal Drip is excess mucus that leaks (“drips”) in the back of your mouth. The causes of post nasal drip are many — anything that causes excess mucus can/will result in post-nasal drip. It can be as simple as a cold or allergies (any kind of allergy — food, pollen, pets, etc.), or something harder to pin down, like a bacterial infection. When this excess mucus occurs, it creates an environment ripe for bacteria to multiply, giving the discharge an odor. Hence, you get bad breath.

Sinusitis — Somewhat similar to post nasal drip in how it causes bad breath, sinusitis is a fancy name for what we commonly call a “sinus infection.” When this happens, your sinuses become inflamed, causing the mucus to stop circulating and instead build up. This is a rich environment for bacteria to grow and multiply, and can result in a foul odor. There are a myriad of causes for a sinus infection / sinusitis — everything from a cold to allergies to smoking to a tooth infection. But one of the first symptoms (besides a clogged nose and pain) is usually bad breath.

Accurate?  Partly.  There is no question that people with sinus ailments will typically exhibit bad breath more frequently than those without, but ascribing that smell to any one place or issue may be misleading.  The fact is, all sinus ailments change the chemistry within your sinuses and collateral structures.  More moisture, less moisture, improved airflow, decreased airflow – all of these may create opportunities for new pathogens to take root and multiply.

My guess is that what the author describes as “sinus breath” may be more correlation than causation; that is, anyone with an infection is more likely to have bad breath, and your sinuses may play only a supporting role.

That said, if you suffer with this problem and the usual solutions aren’t working for you, it could be something more serious.  Contact an experienced Los Angeles ENT today for a fuller examination.

By Mani | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)