Page 12 THE SPIRITUAL HERALD February 2007

Josephson Breathes New Life in BookBY TOM TOOLEN

NEW YORK—Millions ofAmericans who have respiratorydiseases that are often ignored ormisdiagnosed have gained newhope for relief through a ground-breaking book that marries tradi-tional and alternative medicinefor the first time.

Jordan S. Josephson, M.D., aleading expert in respiratorymedicine who is director of theNew York Nasal and SinusCenter and attending physician atManhatan Eye, Ear and ThroatHospital, has written a uniquebook that details a five-step pro-gram of both traditional and al-ternative medical knowledge.

The book, “Sinus ReliefNow,” has been hailed as the firstbook that explores both Easternand Western treatments in a com-prehensive approach.

“I believe the book has takenthe best of both worlds inmedicine to offer relief to the mil-lions of sufferers of sinus andother allergies,” said Josephson,who spelled out what victims ofrespiratory diseases can do to re-duce the ill effects of their condi-tions.

Published only a few monthsago, the book has drawn rave re-views in the medical and businessworlds.

“If you suffer with sinus prob-lems, allergies or asthma, youmust read this book,” saidRichard Firshein, D.O., author of“Reversing Asthma” and otherbooks.

And Dr. Josephson’s new wayof connecting the seemingly unre-lated health concerns that millionsof people experience every day isthe single most valuable source-book for patients and physicians

on treating trhe patient as awhole.”

The sales have been brisk forthe book, whose official title is“Sinus Relief Now, TheGroundbreaking 5-Step Progrmfor Sinus, Allergy and AsthmaSufferers,” (Perigee Books, 342pages, $15.95).

“The steps detailed in the bookare very simple and clearcut, yetthey are the best medical andlifestyle advice for all respiratoryillnesses, “ he said. “Basically, Ihave presented patients with aroad map, and the success ratefor those who have followed ithas been encouraging.”

No one could hope for a morequalified physician to write thebook.

Josephson is awell known andhighly regarded nasal and endo-scopic sinus surgeon who special-izes in functional nasal andendoscopic sinus surgery and cos-metic nasal surgery revision. Hehas several times been featured onNew York magazine’s “best doc-tors” list. He was a pioneer in theprocedure called FESS (func-tional endoscopic sinus surgery),which is now considered state ofart.

The book’s five main recom-mendations have drawn wide at-tention from the public and themedical community.

The five steps for people withrespiratory ailments to take are:

• Maintain proper sinus care,including medical checkups.

• Remove mold and other irri-tants from the home, office or car.

• Follow a nutrition programthat reduces irritating the respira-tory system.

• Find the right medicationand treatment from your physi-cian and medical team.

• Practice a lifestyle that en-

hances total-body health.There has been a great deal of

progress in the treatment of si-nusitis in the past decade, hesaid, and he hopes the book getseveryone up to date with any, andall, medications and proceduresused in treatment.

“Recent research shows thatrespiratory diseases are more re-lated than previously thought,”said Josephson. The physiciansaid their common, underlyingcause is what he called “chronicairway-digestive inflammatorydisease,” (CAID).

By combining all five steps inthe book, he said, he took the ap-proach to allow the patient totackle the respiratory problem ina complete manner.

One of the key recommenda-tions in the book is the use ofnasal irrigation. “I use a nasal irri-gation device every day and canattest to its effectiveness. I canalso say that smokers with CAIDproblems simply must quit smok-ing,” he added. “But I know thatthis can be difficult, so the booklists some guidelines for smokers

who want to stop.”But progress in combatting

respiratory ailments is steady.“We are learning more every

day about sinusitis and other con-ditions,” he said. “There has beenremarkable work done by theMayo Clinic about the effects offungus on sinusitis. While the pic-ture is still emerging, many medi-cal experts believe there is a linkbetween the two.”

While still controversial, theMayo Clinic research showed thatan atypical immune response re-action to fungus in certain peopleto common fungus might be theroot cause of sinusits.

The book, which is a valuableresearch tool for anyone sufferingfrom respiratory ailments, waswritten because of the great needacross the nation, Josephsonpoints out. The statistics back himup.

A total of 70 million peoplesuffer from sinus disease in theUnited States alone, includingvictims of asthma, allergies, re-flux diseases GERD and LRPD aswell as sleep problems like snor-ing and sleep apnea.

“It is an enormous problem,and I believe all these conditionscan be related because all are as-sociated with parts of the bodywhich are directly connected inthe upper and lower respiratoryand digestive systems.”

Some of the steps to alleviaterespiratory problems are com-mon-sense, he says. “Just bykeeping a clean home and envi-ronment. you can greatly reducethe presence of molds,” saidJosephson, a pioneer in the medi-cal procedure called FESS(Functional Endoscopic SinusSurgery), which uses an endo-scope for both the diagnosis andthe surgical procedure.

Molds, he adds, can worsensinus problems.

“And I know some are fooledby it because mold is pretty muchubiquitous. You can smell it inthe movies and in locker rooms,but you can’t see it. Mold can notonly aggravatge asthma and al-lergy, but it can also worsen sinusproblems,” said Josephson, direc-tor of the New York Nasal andSinus Center, and attendiingphysician at Lenox Hill.

“Most people are not awarethat molds can cause such prob-lems,” he said. “But they defi-nitely can.”

Josephson also discusses thevalidity of alternative therapiesfor respiratory patients, includingacupuncture, holistic medicineand chiropractic. “What works forone patient may not work for an-other, and I have included the bestalternative therapies in the worldto merge them with traditionalmedicine. No one has done thatbefore in a book.”

Many agree.“As a leading publisher of all

kinds of health informtion, I haveseen it all,” said Martin Edelston,founder and president,Boardroom Inc., publishers ofBottom Line/Personal and BottomLine/Health.

“And Dr. Josephson’s newway of connecting the seeminglyunrelated health concerns thatmillions of people experienceevery day, the book is the singlemost valuable sourcebook for pa-tients and physicians on treatingthe patient as a whole.”

Edelston added, “It is abouttime that a physician has writtenabout the inflammatory processthat causes sinus,m allergy,asthma, bronchitis, snoring, sleepapnea, and GERD and treats themholistically.”

Jordan Josephson, M.D.