You can also add to your health journal encourading news about advances in the sinusitis management. Here are some of them:
Exdensur approved for asthma treatment (administered twice-yearly)
Exdensur (depemokimab) from GSK has been approved by the FDA and European Commission for the treatment of respiratory diseases in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. The drug (a monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-5, a key inflammatory cytokine) will be used for treatment of severe asthma, as well as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Exdensur only needs to be taken twice a year. It is the first and currently the only ultra-long-acting drug for asthma. It provides sustained effectiveness for six months and protects against exacerbations. According to clinical trial results, the frequency of exacerbations over the course of a year decreased by an average of 72% compared to placebo. Patients with rhinosinusitis also noted a reduction in the size of polyps and a decrease in nasal congestion.
Allergia Medical Treats Seasonal Allergies with Bright Light
Approximately 20% of people suffer from seasonal pollen allergies to varying degrees. The main symptoms of this condition are a runny nose and nasal congestion. Traditionally, allergic rhinitis is treated with medications, which, naturally, have side effects. American company Allergia Medical in 2014 came up with a non-drug treatment for seasonal allergies – a gadget that can be installed at home. This gadget has a tip with a powerful light source. Simply insert this tip into your nostril and turn on the light for a few seconds, and your nose will breathe freely all day long. At least, that's the effect demonstrated by recent clinical trials of this device. What's the secret? The powerful light is said to suppress the activity of antioxidant enzymes in blood vessels, which trigger the body's overreaction to pollen.
XprESS - device for treating sinusitis without puncture
Anyone who suffers from sinusitis knows what a sinus puncture is. It's a last resort, used when the opening through which mucus drains from the maxillary sinus becomes clogged and pus accumulates in the sinus. A special needle is inserted through the nose, which breaks the bony septum between the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinus, creating an artificial opening for the pus to drain. The pus is removed with a syringe, and then medication is injected into the sinus using the same syringe. In short, this procedure isn't very pleasant, and the worst part is that sometimes after the first puncture, repeated punctures are required, as the artificial opening heals, but the natural one doesn't unblock. But there is a way to solve this problem more painlessly and effectively using a special device – XprESS. It's manufactured by the American company Entellus Medical. A new model of this device was released in 2013. XpreSS uses a flexible, thin catheter (tube) that can be adjusted to the individual characteristics of a person's nasal cavity. It is inserted through the nose into the natural opening of the sinus, and its tip is then inflated (like a balloon), expanding the opening. The pus is then suctioned out and medication is administered. After this, the natural opening of the sinus returns to normal function. XpreSS can treat not only the maxillary sinuses, but also the frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses.