Replies; Sinus problems
Dave Lindsey
Description
Collection
Title:
Replies; Sinus problems
Creator:
Dave Lindsey
Date:
1/27/2003
Text:
It seems many of us in the O&P field suffer from chronic sinus problems.
This should not come as a surprise.
Before I list the responses. I would like to offer a suggestion which my
benefit many who are less chronic then myself. One of the specialist I saw
suggested I clear the nasal passages daily with a simple home made (cheap)
saline solution. The solution is gently squirt up the nose using a 60 ml.
syringe. This is a blunt disposable type typically used for
catheterization. I realize this does not sound very pleasant, but it's not
as rough as it sounds, and it does help.
Make the solution by mixing a teaspoon of pickling salt and a teaspoon
of baking soda in one cup of boiling water. Cool the solution.
The responses:
> I grew up in O&P, I started working for my dad after school and summers when I
> was eight (1954). I've had sinus problems as long as I can remember; and I
> developed asthma in my early thirties. I was tested for allergies, but the
> results were pretty much inconclusive. I've often suspected my problems were
> work-related, but could never confirm it
-
I have been in the field the same amount of time and my sense of smell isn't
great. I'm not sure if this is because of all the Siegelharz used or methyl
mac and other stuff or part of the aging process. 42 years old with
diminishing sight and hearing also.
-Yep, I'm 46, and my sight and hearing are also diminished.
I've suffered with symptoms similar to what you describe. Currently
I'm on allergy shots bi weekly which have helped a lot but even with that
in consideration I feel that I'm not as able to smell things as before. My
sense of taste is also altered/reduced. I started school in1988 so we're
pretty close in time spent in.
-
Yes, Yes and Yes. I have been a CP since 1980, I have no sense of smell. I
work with a lot of foot orthotic patients so I guess having no sense of
smell
is a good thing.
-Yes, that could be considered a positive. But I love the smell of fresh
coffee and perfume on my wife.
It seems I have the same problem. I too have noticed a diminished sense of
smell. When I smoked I had frequent sinus infections too. I have worked in
this field for 20 years also, but have been removed from fabrication for the
past 4-5 years. I have not noticed an improvement since limiting my exposure
to the fumes and dust of the lab.
- Oh, great.
Absolutely. My sense of smell has worsened over years, but began in gross
anatomy lab in college.
-
I SUGGEST YOU CONSIDER NUTRITION, SUPPLEMENTS, AND WATER. I HAVE HAD SOME
EXPERIENCE AND FOUND COMPLETE RELIEF FOLLOWING DR. MICHAEL COLGAN WRITING,
THE NEW NUTRITION BOOK.
-I will consider it. Thanks.
Dave, I too have lost my sense of smell. I've been practicing 22 years
but
seem to have lost it around 15 or so years back. I think that the resins and
plastic dust and the gas that they give off during lamination are to blame.
Is this a work comp claim?
-No, this is not a work comp claim. I didn't consider it.
After 20 years, I too, went throuh a period of two years of smoldering
sinus infections. Last year I had FESS (Functional endoscopic sinus
surgery) performed to open all the passage ways and remove lots of infected
tissue. My turbinates were also grossly inflammed and they required high
frequency somnoplasty to reduce their size to normal. This and correction
of a deviated septum cured a problem that had caused years of misery. I can
now smell again and it's really nice to not have daily sinus headaches. I
just feel better. Cost = $35,000. Insurance paid for most of it. I now wear
a mask 100% of the time in lab and farication areas. No signs of
recurrence. Yes, I think it's an occupational hazard. The prevelance of
sinus infections in our facility is many times greater than a control
population.
I continue to irrigate my sinuses once per day with a Netti Pot and a
diluted preparation of a product called Netti Pot Plus (Vecho Veda is the
manufacturer). The sinus irrigation is my surgeon's suggestion. She
sencouraged me to use it daily so long as I work in this field. It keeps my
sinuses flushed, open and healthy.
This should not come as a surprise.
Before I list the responses. I would like to offer a suggestion which my
benefit many who are less chronic then myself. One of the specialist I saw
suggested I clear the nasal passages daily with a simple home made (cheap)
saline solution. The solution is gently squirt up the nose using a 60 ml.
syringe. This is a blunt disposable type typically used for
catheterization. I realize this does not sound very pleasant, but it's not
as rough as it sounds, and it does help.
Make the solution by mixing a teaspoon of pickling salt and a teaspoon
of baking soda in one cup of boiling water. Cool the solution.
The responses:
> I grew up in O&P, I started working for my dad after school and summers when I
> was eight (1954). I've had sinus problems as long as I can remember; and I
> developed asthma in my early thirties. I was tested for allergies, but the
> results were pretty much inconclusive. I've often suspected my problems were
> work-related, but could never confirm it
-
I have been in the field the same amount of time and my sense of smell isn't
great. I'm not sure if this is because of all the Siegelharz used or methyl
mac and other stuff or part of the aging process. 42 years old with
diminishing sight and hearing also.
-Yep, I'm 46, and my sight and hearing are also diminished.
I've suffered with symptoms similar to what you describe. Currently
I'm on allergy shots bi weekly which have helped a lot but even with that
in consideration I feel that I'm not as able to smell things as before. My
sense of taste is also altered/reduced. I started school in1988 so we're
pretty close in time spent in.
-
Yes, Yes and Yes. I have been a CP since 1980, I have no sense of smell. I
work with a lot of foot orthotic patients so I guess having no sense of
smell
is a good thing.
-Yes, that could be considered a positive. But I love the smell of fresh
coffee and perfume on my wife.
It seems I have the same problem. I too have noticed a diminished sense of
smell. When I smoked I had frequent sinus infections too. I have worked in
this field for 20 years also, but have been removed from fabrication for the
past 4-5 years. I have not noticed an improvement since limiting my exposure
to the fumes and dust of the lab.
- Oh, great.
Absolutely. My sense of smell has worsened over years, but began in gross
anatomy lab in college.
-
I SUGGEST YOU CONSIDER NUTRITION, SUPPLEMENTS, AND WATER. I HAVE HAD SOME
EXPERIENCE AND FOUND COMPLETE RELIEF FOLLOWING DR. MICHAEL COLGAN WRITING,
THE NEW NUTRITION BOOK.
-I will consider it. Thanks.
Dave, I too have lost my sense of smell. I've been practicing 22 years
but
seem to have lost it around 15 or so years back. I think that the resins and
plastic dust and the gas that they give off during lamination are to blame.
Is this a work comp claim?
-No, this is not a work comp claim. I didn't consider it.
After 20 years, I too, went throuh a period of two years of smoldering
sinus infections. Last year I had FESS (Functional endoscopic sinus
surgery) performed to open all the passage ways and remove lots of infected
tissue. My turbinates were also grossly inflammed and they required high
frequency somnoplasty to reduce their size to normal. This and correction
of a deviated septum cured a problem that had caused years of misery. I can
now smell again and it's really nice to not have daily sinus headaches. I
just feel better. Cost = $35,000. Insurance paid for most of it. I now wear
a mask 100% of the time in lab and farication areas. No signs of
recurrence. Yes, I think it's an occupational hazard. The prevelance of
sinus infections in our facility is many times greater than a control
population.
I continue to irrigate my sinuses once per day with a Netti Pot and a
diluted preparation of a product called Netti Pot Plus (Vecho Veda is the
manufacturer). The sinus irrigation is my surgeon's suggestion. She
sencouraged me to use it daily so long as I work in this field. It keeps my
sinuses flushed, open and healthy.
Citation
Dave Lindsey, “Replies; Sinus problems,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/220481.
