Maximum Healing From Empty Nose Syndrome

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Dr. Grossan,

This is somewhat lengthy but I think the question I ask at the bottom is very important for people who have ENS to know. You have written extensively on the topic of antibiotics, particularly with respect to your concern about overuse of them. This appears to be a concern in the entire medical field, which has seen prescriptions for antibiotics plummet over time. Doctors have fears - some rightly so - that antibiotics might do more harm than good.

For example:

+"Green" mucus does not mean an antibiotic is needed, but rather that the body is fighting an infection.
+Most colds begin as a viral infection.
+Bronchitis usually does not need to be treated with an antibiotic.
+Antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria that becomes stronger.
+Antibiotic overuse can lead to an overabundance of yeast in the body -candida - that needs to be treated via probiotics and sometimes anti-fungal medications.

I think the above are all valid concerns. And I think your suggestion for using antibiotics in an irrigation solution for someone with an open nose - empty nose - is good if the infection is localized. Yet ultimately the path for determining whether to use an antibiotic is based on symptoms and perceived severity rather than any objective measures, unless you're talking a strep infection or something just as or more serious (such as sampling mucus in the nose and sending it to a lab to determine if it has bacteria or not in it) because it would take several days to get results and, as I understand it, it is not cost-effective to do that. My feeling is I'm not sure this is the best way to determine whether to use an antibiotic or not.

What am I getting at? Many people with ENS have been on too many antibiotics in their lives, perhaps both before and after the turbinate surgery. Yet there's also a need here at times: I think the defense system of people with ENS is both compromised because of the removed or reduced turbinates that are not warming and humidifying air, or moving mucus along effeciently, all of which helps the body to rid itself of infected mucus. It seems to me, and I think it has been my experience, that the defense system of people with ENS gets weaker over time (sort of like the condition of the nasal mucosa) but then stabilizes in a weakened state. In my case, I was diagnosed with a mild immunodeficiency in my body's ability to produce antibodies against the pneumonia bacteria. Consequently, while I try to stay off antibiotics as much as possible, if I do not get my infection treated after about 14 days with it, then my body only goes downhill. If I go on one, I find I experience relief in about 3 days and my body seems infection-free thereafter and I can go on living a infection-free life.

Now I am sure the best way to build immunity is through proper diet, exercise, sleep, detoxification, improving Vitamin D levels, as well as hot tea, chicken soup, steam inhalation, sauna use, and nose and throat irrigation via the Hydro Pulse.

I can understand how it is very distressing for a physician to have a patient who demands an antibiotic. Yet I can also understand how it might be distressing for a patient who may need an antibiotic, but is fearful the doctor won't order one. My question is as follows: What is your recommendation for a patient who has ENS, is aware of the above, and appears to be battling a sinus infection for, say, several weeks, to work best with their doctor to determine whether or not they need an antibiotic? (Please also keep in mind that many will not even consider prescribing an antibiotic for irrigation because they are not familiar with it).
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I am not a doctor or health care professional. My posts reflect my personal opinions and should not be interpreted as medical advice.