of medical innovations is
that they can often help make a big difference
in improving someone's quality of life.
And that's exactly the case for the technology
we're gonna talk about today.
Jackie's learning about a procedure
that's helping bring relief from chronic nasal symptoms.
(light music)
- Hey, guys.
It's Jackie, and I am here today with Dr. Batra.
And we are talking about a form of cryotherapy
that's bringing a lot of relief
for people who suffer from chronic runny noses.
So, doctor, tell me a bit about this.
- Sure, so as you know, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis
are very common conditions.
They affect about 60 million Americans.
The two symptoms that seem to bother patients the most
and what we have the hardest time correcting
with medications are the nasal congestion
and also the rhinorrhea.
The rhinorrhea is medical term for nasal discharge.
So those are the two symptoms
that we can really target very effectively
with this new device, which is called ClariFix.
It's essentially a long probe, and we numb up the nose and,
using a telescope to visualize the back of the nose,
and we can target a key area where these nerves live
that are overactive,
cause the congestion and the runny nose,
and essentially we're just freezing those nerves
so they're not as overactive.
- How soon will patients see results
after they have the procedure?
- It does take a few weeks
for the procedure to be effective,
to really reach its maximal effect, if you will.
And the data has now gone out
to a full year showing sustained relief.
- [Jackie] And that has to bring a lot of relief
to patients who, maybe in the past,
have used sprays or pills.
This is quite a different alternative to that.
- Absolutely.
For the subset of patients that don't respond to all of that
or perhaps don't want to take four medications
on a daily basis, then this can be an adjunct
to try to help improve their symptoms.
- [Jackie] Why is this such
an important innovation in medicine?
- We can actually do it in the office,
and it's actually much quicker recovery for patients.
The actual freezing part takes 30 seconds on each side,
so it's relatively quick.
There's no cutting of tissue,
so the risk of nasal bleeding is low.
And it's generally been very well tolerated by our patients.
Patients can have something done
and be back at work perhaps that afternoon or the next day.
(upbeat music)
- [Jackie] The procedure
was definitely a win for Carmen Garcia.
- Everybody should do this.
(laughs)
Anybody who's suffering because it's, like, life-changing.
It really is. It's life-changing.
- [Jackie] Prior to it,
Carmen had struggle with nasal symptoms for years.
- So what was really frustrating was I had the, like,
constant runny nose, like, always stuffy,
always sneezing, always blowing my nose.
Couldn't sleep.
Would wake up like I felt like I wasn't breathing.
Tossing and turning, so it affected everything.
- [Jackie] After struggling for so long,
she was eager to find relief.
- I was so frustrated,
so I made an appointment with Dr. Batra.
We came up with a plan.
He was very clear.
He's like, "I'm not gonna get rid of your allergies,
"but just it will help with, like, the runny nose
"and the stuffiness."
- We did discuss the idea of surgery
which she's been contemplating for many years.
- [Jackie] Dr. Batra performed the procedure
and fixed Carmen's deviated septum.
Post surgery, the changes were drastic.
(upbeat music)
- I'm glad I did it.
I saw the difference.
It's like night and day.
I was sleeping better.
I wasn't waking up in the middle of the night.
I just felt it.
I feel like I can breathe.
So as long as I continue to do, like, the nasal flushes
and take my allergy medication, I'm fine.
I blow my nose once or twice a day now.
- [Jackie] She hopes her experience will encourage others
to ask their doctors about options
if they struggle with similar symptoms.
- It's helped me.
I'm happier.
I feel like I'm more active.
It really is.
It's life-changing.
I should've done this a long time ago.
I don't know why I waited,
but there's something out there that can help.
- [Jackie] For more innovations in medicine,
just head to our website, livinghealthytv.com.
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