TMC PULSE

T M C » P U L S E | J U N E 2 0 1 8 36 T M C » P U L S E | J U N E 2 0 1 8 Solutions: TMC Innovations Regaining a Sense of Smell F or the first time in several years, Carrie Owen can smell and taste. Now, even the aroma of a skunk is lovely to her. "I can't tell you the last time I could smell and taste," Owen said. "I've been testing it out on different things like peppermint essential oil, and even a skunk!" Previously, the teacher from College Station, Texas, suffered from constant headaches, a stuffy nose, runny eyes and frequent sinus infections. She also had polyps inside of her nose that made breathing difficult. Nasal polyps are inflammatory growths along the lining of nose passages or sinuses that can cause congestion. Owen had surgery more than a year ago to remove the polyps in hopes of opening up her nasal passages. That worked until the growths returned. Her physician presented her with two options: Have the sur- gery again, or see Martin Citardi, M.D., at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) for a second opinion. Citardi, chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and an attending physician at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, told her she was a candidate for the SINUVA Sinus Implant, a new approach to treating nasal polyp disease in adult patients who have The SINUVA sinus implant had previous sinus surgery. Statistics vary on the number of sinus surgeries performed in the U.S.—somewhere between 300,000 and 600,000 each year— but those numbers don't account for repeat surgeries. The SINUVA implant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017. In March, Owen had an implant placed into each nostril at Citardi's UT Physicians Otorhinolaryngology clinic. Citardi said the implant delivers an anti-inflammatory steroid for 90 days and also helps reduce the size of polyps in the nose, which helps Owen's nasal passages open up more. When her smell and taste returned, she sought to eat her favorite foods: crawfish and king cake. "It was wonderful," Owen said. The SINUVA implants—inserted B y C h r i s t i n e H a l l Credit: Intersect ENT Inc. Relax in Luxury. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a place to call home, choose Quality RV Resorts, and experience the best in RV resort living! With 11 locations throughout Houston, San Antonio, Baytown, and Brazoria, Texas – you're sure to find a resort and amenities that will fit your needs. Don't own an RV? No problem. We have onsite rentals available. *Pads only. Not valid for existing customers. O!er expires August 31, 2018. Code Word: TEXAS To redeem, use code word at the time of reservation. www.QualityRVResorts.com 50% OFF First Month's Rent * 713.582.2202 www.LyneeLew.com | Lynee@LyneeLew.com Lynee Lew Residenal & Commercial REALTOR ® Accredited Luxury Home Specialist ©2018 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the o!erings of other real estate brokers. 5 Bedroom/4 Bath Media Room Study & Outdoor Oasis Minutes to the Texas Medical Center Zoned to Bellaire HS www.3326Rochdale.com MLS: 89229947 Contact me today for a private showing of this stunning home! 3326 Rochdale Street Houston, Texas 77025 without surgery—have proven to be a more effective option for Owen and have resulted in an improve- ment in her everyday life. In addition to being taken off some of her daily steroid and anti- biotic prescriptions, her treatment routine is now as simple as flushing out her nose with a rinse. And, she no longer has the headaches. "I was able to walk in and walk out with a better quality of life," she said. "It was like having a bandage put on or a shot."

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