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Flowers never looked or smelled so good to Joanne Clark.  Until recently, her chronic sinus infections had taken away her sense of smell and replaced it with headaches and fatigue.

"Sometimes, the most comforting thing to do is to put your head down on a pillow because then you don't have to hold it up anymore," says Joanne.

She's tried antibiotics, acupuncture and herbs.  After three sinus surgeries failed to help, she found otolaryngologist Dr. Winston Vaughan and an alternative.

"This was started by a pharmacist in Santa Barbara asking me a simple question, 'Why don't you guys just blow it up the nose?'" says Dr. Vaughan.

That's exactly what they did.  This machine turns antibiotics into a mist that patients can inhale.

"We're delivering the medications directly to where you need it, and not all over your body," says Dr. Vaughan.

By doing that, side effects of standard treatments like nausea, muscle aches and rashes are eliminated.

"This new treatment option for patients is a significant step forward, especially for patients who have multiple infections."

One study shows nearly 80% of patients had a significant improvement in symptoms.  Patients also stayed infection-free for an average of 17 weeks, compared to six weeks before.

"One time, I went seven months without a sinus infection,"  says Joanne.

Joanne used to average more than ten infections a year.  Now, it's less than four.

"I now have a quality that's almost like it was before I started having sinus infections."

On average, patients will use the nebulized medication twice a day for three weeks.  Each dosage lasts up to 20 minutes.  The only noted side effects with this type of therapy have been sore throats and coughing.  If you want more information you can call 877-SINUS-44 or log on to www.sinuspharmacy.com