Table of Contents
PRAISE FORSINUS RELIEF NOW
Sinus Relief Now is a unique contribution to sinus health because it deals with treating the patient as a whole. Dr. Josephson explains how the inflammatory process applies to the diseases of sinus, allergy, bronchitis, snoring, sleep apnea, and acid reflux, and what you can do for it. He has gone past simply recommending more antibiotics. I believe anyone with these conditions will profit by reading this fine book.
Murray Grossan, M.D., author ofThe Sinus Cureand inventor of the Hydro Pulse Nasal/Sinus Irrigation System
If you suffer with sinus problems, allergies, or asthma you must read this book. This informative and authoritative guide provides the insights that can change your health. By exploring alternative and traditional treatments, Dr. Josephson provides a comprehensive approach which brings together the best of both worlds. He clearly explains the synergy between Eastern and Western medicine, providing lasting treatment options for sinus disease, allergies, asthma, snoring, sleep apnea, and reflux esophagitis (GERD).
Richard Firshein, D.O., author ofReversing AsthmaandYour Asthma-Free Child
As a leading publisher of all kinds of health information, I have seen it all. And Dr. Josephsons new way of connecting the seemingly unrelated health concerns that millions of people experience every day, Sinus Relief Now, is the single most valuable sourcebook for patients and physicians on treating the patient as a whole. Dr. Josephsons coining of the term CAID (chronic airway-digestive inflammatory disease) is ingenious because CAID affects millions of people, many of whom are still searching for the answers to their problems. Sinus Relief Now will help these patients greatly. It is about time that a physician has written about the inflammatory process that causes sinus, allergy, asthma, bronchitis, snoring, sleep apnea, and GERD, and treats them holistically.
Martin Edelston, Founder and President, Boardroom Inc., publishers of Bottom Line/Personal and Bottom Line/Health
An informative and innovative approach to treating sinus disease from a leading ENT surgeon. This book is an excellent complement to the holistic medical treatment for chronic sinusitis, allergies, and asthma.
Dr. Rob Ivker, D.O., author of Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Allergies, Colds, and Sinusitisand cofounder and past-president, American Board of Holistic Medicine
This book takes a comprehensive look at allergies and their relationship to sinus disease. Dr. Josephsons advice on conquering your allergies is right on target. A must-read for any sinus or allergy sufferer.
Dean Mitchell, M.D., author ofDr. Dean Mitchells Allergy and Asthma Solution and Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
I am an ENT doctor myself and was the Chief of Clinical ENT at the National Institutes of Health for nine years. As Dr. Josephson knows, I was miserable with my sinuses. He operated on me and his surgery was life altering. Dr. Josephson defines the term the doctors doctor. Sinus Relief Now is a fantastic guide and will help patients find the answers to their problems. It is also a great book for physicians to read as it talks of the latest research and treatments. Sinus Relief Now is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Robert Lebovics, M.D., past Chief of Clinical ENT at the National Institutes of Health
Finally, the devastating effects of mold are shown to go beyond the realm of allergies. This is the first book that properly puts the issues of mold and fungal sinusitis into perspective. Dr. Josephson explains the latest research in understandable terms. I applaud Dr. Josephson and feel that all sinus sufferers will benefit from reading this book.
Jens Ponikau, M.D.
In loving memory of my grandparents, Julius and Faye Goldstein and Joseph and Esther Josephson, and my father-in-law, Arthur Wantuch.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are many important people I would like to thank that have each helped, in his or her own way, in the creation of this book. I am grateful for the scientific knowledge shared with me by many of my medical colleagues, including Yosef Krespi, M.D.; Tibian Abramovitz, M.D.; David Sherris, M.D.; Eugene Kern, M.D.; Carolyn Sierra, M.D.; Elena Ferran, M.D.; Robert Altman, M.D.; Winston Vaughn, M.D.; Paul Miller, D.D.S.; Donald Chalfin, M.D.; Murray Grossan, M.D.; and Gary Josephson, M.D. Last, I would like to extend a special thanks to Seth Rosenberg, M.D., without whom this book could not have been written.
On the Eastern medical front, I am indebted to Alex Kulick, M.D., and Amy Josephson, D.C. I continue to learn everyday from my pharmaceutical allies, including Paul Feingertz, R.Ph.; Lisa Charneski, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S.; and the great folks at Goldbergers Pharmacy in New York City.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with many great physicians. I am indebted to my mentors Charles R. Greene, M.D.; Michael J. Zinner, M.D.; Allan L. Abramson, M.D.; Michael E. Johns, M.D.; and David W. Kennedy, M.D. and all the others who have taught me. I am also grateful for the opportunity that I have had to teach all over the world, and share my thoughts regarding CAID and sinus disease.
The emotional support I have received from my family and friends has been overwhelming. My wife, Mara; daughter, Jaclyn; and sons, Julius and Jared, all know that they are my light. I am a very lucky man to have them in my life. I am ever thankful for the love and devotion I have always received from my parents, Sheila and Stanley Josephson. I thank my siblings Mark,Amy, and Gary for their love and constant support throughout my life.
I offer special thanks to my professional team that has worked so hard in putting this book together. My office staff has been wonderful during the entire writing process. I am grateful for the help that Janice Cedeno and Eslyn Roman continue to provide for both me and my patients. I would like to thank Kim Urdahl for helping me with making my edits. Pam Liflanders literary skills and insights helped me bring my thoughts and ideas to these pages. Carol Mann, my agent, was able to find me the best publisher for this project. Christel Winkler, Jeanette Shaw, and John Duff at Perigee have been extraordinary. Ian Rogers has provided the most fantastic artwork for this book.
Finally, I want to thank my patients. For more than 20 years, they have helped me understand these disease processes better through their own experiences. I thank them for allowing me to treat them and for letting me share their problems with a broader audience so that others may learn from both their ordeals and their triumphs.
INTRODUCTION
More than 70 million Americans suffer from sinus disease, allergies, and asthma, and 25 percent of the population snore or suffer from sleep apnea. If you are one of these people, you may share many of their symptoms, ranging from mildly annoying to severely painful and debilitating: postnasal drip, nasal stuffiness and obstruction, headaches, coughing, sore throat, swollen glands, hoarseness, mouth breathing, decreased sense of smell and/or taste, facial or dental pain, ear pressure, dark circles under the eyes, wheezing, dizziness, high- or low-grade fevers, sweats or hearing loss. You might not be sleeping well, which can lead to recurring fatigue. Your snoring may keep your spouse or partner awake at night, leaving him or her tired as well.