February Is Sinus Pain Awareness Month

FEBRUARY IS SINUS PAIN AWARENESS MONTH

Patient information, interviews with ear, nose, and throat specialists, patient histories, and a video news release are available for coverage of America's most chronic medical condition

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- February, 2000, has been declared Sinus Pain Awareness Month by the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the medical society representing the nation's 10,000 ear, nose, and throat specialists.

The goal of this health observance month, now in its second year, is to inform those with persistent cold and flu-like symptoms that they may actually have sinusitis, a chronic condition that can be treated with antibiotics or, in severe cases, with surgery. They would not be alone; the National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than 37 million Americans have sought medical treatment for sinusitis and other sinus disorders.

The AAO-HNS is offering the following for coverage of this prevalent medical disorder:

-- Patient information material: A new series of sinus fact sheets are now available on the Academy's Internet Web site, http://www.entnet.org. A new patient leaflet, Sinusitis -- More than a Cold or Allergy is also available.

-- Video News Release (VNR): A two-minute video segment featuring two prominent otolaryngologists discussing the sinusitis symptoms and available treatments. Patient examinations are included. The VNR will be available by satellite during the following time periods:

Thursday, February 3, 2000 and Friday, February 4, 2000
1:00p.m.-1:15p.m. 1:15p.m.-1:30p.m.
Telstar 4, Transponder 6 Telstar 4, Transponder 6
Downlink 3820 Downlink 3820

-- Physician interviews: Interviews will be arranged with experts in the diagnosis and treatment of sinus disorders. Available to answer questions are otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons from Harvard University, the University of Pittsburgh, and members of the Academy's committee on sinusitis. Additionally, Dr. Deborah F. Rosin, author of The Sinus Source Book, an authoritative patient guide to sinus disorders, will also be available to speak to the media.

Local ear, nose, and throat specialists are available to discuss the prevalence of sinusitis in their communities as well as environmental considerations that aggravate symptoms.

-- Patient histories and interviews: These patients have found relief from debilitating sinus pain:

A forty year old Chicago woman who could not normally function due to relentless sinus headaches. During her diagnosis, her specialist asked, "You've been living like this?".

A West Virginia microbiologist discovers that proper treatment for her sinus disorder alleviated her pain and aids in starting her family.

A thyroid condition and eosinophil complicates a 71-year old man's treatment for impacted sinuses.

A nine-year old from Illinois requires surgery and medicine to restore a normal childhood.

Learn more about each of these patients. In addition, patients will be identified from specified communities to localize coverage of Sinus Pain Awareness Month.

For assistance in all your coverage needs contact Donna Krupa at 703-527-7357 or Ken Satterfield, 703-519-1563, [email protected].

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