Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps
Chronic sinusitis with or without Nasal Polyps, is a long-lasting sinus inflammation and infection. The sinuses can become infected when they are blocked and filled with fluid, causing nasal blockage, facial pain and headaches. EY-LLLT has important therapeutic effects such as biostimulation, anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial and analgesic effects and is known to alleviate these symptoms. Applying EY-LLLT decreases and eventually eliminates nasal inflammation and nasal congestion (2,3,4).
Review studies have shown that anti inflammatory effects of low-level lasers are the same as anti inflammatory effects of non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs (2). In cases of blockage due to nasal polyps in EY-LLLT causes shrinkage and disappearance of polyps thus improving nasal breathing.
EY-LLLT has been shown to significantly decrease nasal polyps and improve symptoms:
- Need to blow nose,
- sneezing,
- runny nose,
- post nasal discharge and
- thick nasal discharge.
Coughing also decreases and sleep related symptoms such as:
- Lack of a good night’s sleep,
- Difficulty falling asleep,
- Waking up at night,
- Waking up tired are significantly improved.
Psychological symptoms also improve significantly as does sense of taste, smell and nasal congestion.
References
1) Naghdi S, Ansari NN, Fathali M, Bartley J, Varedi M, Honarpishe R. Pilot study into the effect of low-level laser therapy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Physiother theory Pract. 2013;29:596–603.
2) Isser DK, Sett S, Saha BP. The role of laser radiation therapy in maxillary sinusitis: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;54:208–15.
3) Krespi Y, Kizhner V. Phototherapy for chronic rhinosinusitis. Lasers Surg Med. 2011;43:187–91.