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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    My husband's been told his sinuses 'have stopped working'. Is that it?

    Related Topics
    Colds & Flu Migraines & Headaches Neurology
    After losing his smell over a period of 18months and more recently his taste, headaches, foggy head etc. [plus courses of saline nasal sprays, anti inflammatory tabs, antibiotics, steroids), he had a CT scan ordered by an ENT.

    ENT's diagnosis on inspection is this: all sinus cavities are blocked/filled with mucous (protein).

    ENT's prognosis: Nothing can be done; it cannot be attributed to allergies, smoking, diet etc - he is “just unlucky” and will have to “live with it”. He was told it would be pointless to have an operation to clear/drain the sinuses as it won't help and he won't get his smell or taste back.

    Is that really it? There's nothing further to investigate, try, consider?
    Although this isn't life-threatening, it is radically life changing and so any suggestions that might work towards altering his condition would be most welcome!
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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    Not that this is answering your question as such.. but are there any chiropractors or osteopaths that have seen improvements in sinus congestion to this degree with cranial work? 

    (Hopefully this may bring some thoughts forward)

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    BBCB

    HealthShare Member

    Dr Hislop - Thanks for your response and expanding the invitation for comment from chiropractors, osteopaths and allied. Perhaps even acupuncturists?
    ENT specialist comment would be great too.

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    Dr David McIntosh

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    David McIntosh is an Australian trained ENT surgeon with international experience. His areas of interest are paediatrics, nose and sinus disease, and providing access to … View Profile

    There are many approaches to managing sinus disease with various outcomes. An ENT that specialises in sinus problems is known as a rhinologist. 

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    Dr Sim Choroomi

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    If all sinuses are blocked and your husband has no smell or taste, I pressume he has significant obstruction in his sinuses from polyps and chronic sinusitis.

    Certainly if his sinuses are bad enough that his sense of taste and smell are gone, the predictability and chance of return of these is low, even with surgery and medical treatment. But, I dont necessarily agree with the "nothing" can be done approach and his symptoms, scans and previous treatments need to have a rhinologic opinion for proper diagnosis and suggestion of treatment before he gives up on this.

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