5 reasons Arkansas is a natural for retirees

2018-06-29T07:01:01

(BPT) – Natural beauty. Endless adventure. Southern cuisine. Economical living. Whether searching for a place to retire or simply looking for the perfect setting for a new home, Arkansas has it all. The Natural State offers quality of life with a diverse array of things to do and see.

The six regions of Arkansas contain their own beauty, history and activities — Northwest, North Central, Upper Delta, Lower Delta, Southwest and Central. And the state’s overall unemployment rate, currently at 3.8 percent, typically falls at or below the national average while the population has seen a 2.5 percent increase since 2010. While agriculture continues to be the state’s number one industry, steel, high-tech and tourism have emerged as major job creators and economic drivers for the state. Six Fortune 500 companies are located in Arkansas, including the world’s largest company — Walmart.

Arkansas residents frequently cite natural beauty, endless adventure, southern cuisine and a lower cost of living as favorite attributes of their state:

Natural beauty: Arkansas is called “The Natural State” for a reason. Residents enjoy four distinct seasons and year-round scenery in the mountains, fields, forests and metropolitan areas. Arkansas has 52 state parks, seven national parks and many national wildlife areas. More than half of the state is covered in forestland, including 2,648,825 acres of three national forests (Ozark, St. Francis and Ouachita).

Endless adventure: The Natural State offers its residents numerous places to hike, bike, fish, geocache, camp and hunt. You can even dig for diamonds and keep what you find! Residents enjoy new museums, flourishing arts districts and ever-expanding bike trails across the state. Golfers swing on more than 200 courses; runners enjoy marathons in Little Rock; bikers ride the EPIC mountain trails around Bentonville and Hot Springs; hikers climb to the top of Mount Nebo; outdoorsmen fly fish in the Ozarks’ clear mountain waters; foodies savor juicy Hope watermelons and hunters scour the rice fields of the Upper or Lower Delta for winter ducks.

Southern cuisine: Some of the nation’s best Southern food — barbecue, pie, crawfish and fried catfish — is found in Arkansas. Noted chefs at many of the state’s restaurants create worldly dishes with down-home flair. Natives love the bounty of local, farm-fresh foods from a very agrarian state.

Lower cost of living: From slow-paced small towns to bustling resort communities to metropolitan settings, Arkansas offers affordable living. When considering housing, taxes, utilities and daily living expenses, the cost of living in Arkansas is considerably lower than most states. Bella Vista was recognized in 2017 as one of the 25 Best Places to Retire by Forbes. The community’s cost of living is 13 percent below the national average.

Military retirement: Earlier this year, Arkansas eliminated the state income tax on military retirement pay. With the average military retiree falling between the ages of 38 and 44, Arkansas is a great place to start a second career.

Additionally, Arkansas is home to one of the nation’s premier teaching hospitals as well as a nationally recognized children’s hospital. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) offers the world-renowned Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which is on the cutting edge of cancer research and treatment. Arkansas Children’s Hospital, with locations in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit medical centers for kids.

The Natural State and its six regions offer something for everyone. If you’re retiring, relocating or simply looking for a vacation home, there’s a city or small town in Arkansas that’s perfect for you. For more information about retiring or relocating to Arkansas, visit www.Arkansas.com/relocate.


Your Next Extraordinary Adventure: Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef

2018-06-29T15:05:00

(BPT) – Have you ever heard of Australia’s other reef? A place where the red and orange hues of Australia’s iconic outback meet white sand beaches and turquoise blue water, where you can walk off the shore and instantly experience pristine coral reef during a special drift snorkel, and where the best marine encounters in the world are part of everyday life. Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, located along the stunning Coral Coast, is truly one of the region’s best-kept secrets and one of those stunning spots you must experience for yourself.

Jump on a two-hour flight from Perth or an extraordinary 750-mile road trip, pull on your snorkel gear and step into the bluest waters of the Indian Ocean. From here, you only need to swim a couple of meters before you’re floating over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed coral gardens of one of the largest wildlife-rich reefs on the planet. What sets the Ningaloo Reef apart is the fact that there’s nowhere else on Earth where you can access a large and beautiful coral reef as easily as this.

The abundance and variety of marine life indicates the health of the reef and at Oyster Stacks or Turquoise Bay — a few of the locals’ favorite spots — you can catch a ride on the gentle current to view some of the 200+ varieties of coral and more than 500 species of fish that call Ningaloo Reef home. On any given day you may come across schools of tropical fish, green turtles, dolphins and sting rays. Scuba divers can also visit the Exmouth Navy Pier, best described as an “aquarium without glass” and considered one of the best shore dives in the world. It’s an underwater photographer’s dream renowned for its quantity and array of quality marine life.

Swim with the biggest fish in the sea

Beyond the coral reefs, Ningaloo is one of the only places in the world where whale sharks appear annually, and from March through August charter companies take visitors to the back of the reef where they literally swim side-by-side with these majestic gentle giants. The region has the most consistent congregation of whale sharks, which makes for incredible swims. With no more than ten people in the open water at one time, these intimate and awe-inspiring tours are conducted in an eco-minded, sustainable manner to minimize disturbance as much as possible. During the day at sea, you may also spot manta rays, turtles, and dugongs feasting on the world’s largest seagrass meadows.

Not only can visitors dive with whale sharks, but between August and October they can swim with humpback whales, too. Previously endangered, humpback whale numbers have steadily recovered and now an estimated 30,000 migrate along the coast each year making Western Australia’s the largest population in the world.

Adventures above water

Along the shores and on land there’s plenty to do, taste and experience to make your escape exciting and unforgettable. A gentle one-hour cruise on the still waters of Yardie Creek in Cape Range National Park is the best way to see the striking colors and the many wild inhabitants of this ancient red limestone gorge, including rare black-footed wallabies, euros, red kangaroos and birds. Active travelers can also hike through the Cape Range National Park, taking in the rocky gorges carved by ancient flowing rivers.

For a truly secluded experience, spend a night or two glamping under the stars in luxury safari tents at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef where the outback meets the sea. Here, days are filled with guided gorge walks, fishing, kayaking, relaxing and snorkeling. The chef serves inspired gourmet meals, from seafood caught that day off the reef to local fare, all-inclusive with Margaret River wines and locally distilled spirits. It’s the only place to stay in the region where you can dive right into the reef simply from the shore. Alternatively, travelers can enjoy air-conditioned resort-style accommodations at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, offering comfortable suites with local artistry, a fantastic restaurant and refreshing swimming pool overlooking the stunning turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Plan your ultimate adventure

To make the most of your trip, don’t forget to stop at the other UNESCO World Heritage-listed area — Shark Bay — less than a day’s drive from Ningaloo. Shark Bay is another marine hotspot, best known for the wild dolphins of Monkey Mia, where they swim right up to the shore and play by your feet. Visitors can also take a walk and wonder at Shell Beach, one of only two beaches on Earth made of billions of tiny shells from just one species.

Western Australia’s Coral Coast is one of the rare places on the planet where you can easily access such an incredible diversity of marine life in its natural environment, so close to the shore. Discover what awaits and visit www.westernaustralia.com.


How to plan a last-minute July 4th party in an hour

2018-06-29T08:01:00

(BPT) – July Fourth is one of those holidays that can sneak up on us. With a chaotic summer schedule, it’s easy for you and your friends to forget to plan a gathering. So when you wake up this Independence Day weekend and realize you want to be the one to host a BBQ for your friends and family, what do you do?

Planning a last-minute, day-of July Fourth party may seem stressful and out of reach, but technology has changed that forever. Companies like Punchbowl, Instacart, Party City and others now offer “on-demand” services that make it possible to pull off an impromptu gathering in an hour. All you need is your phone and a few apps to get the job done.

Follow these steps and it will look like you’ve been planning your party for weeks:

Send text message invitations

Punchbowl, a top-rated app for online invitations, recently introduced text message invitations that allow you to easily send invites to contacts in your phone. Text invitations help eliminate the back and forth of group email threads and frustrating “maybe” responses from potential guests. You’ll start to receive guest RSVP notifications within an hour and can get a sense of how much food you’re going to need.

Order groceries

Services like Instacart, Peapod, and the recently announced Whole Foods Market Grocery Delivery make it easy to get groceries delivered to your door usually in less than two hours. Download an app to pick out the food and drinks for your party and easily checkout. Most of these services offer all your July Fourth grilling essentials like burgers and hot dogs, as well as ready-made dishes and party snacks.

Buy party supplies

Many retailers offer the option to buy products online and pick them up within an hour or two at your local store. Party City offers a huge selection of paper party goods, patriotic decorations and fun summer activities. Grab the app to buy online and pick up at your local store to set the tone and add a dash of fun to your party.

Find a playlist

No summer party is complete without a great soundtrack. Music streaming apps like Spotify, Pandora or Google Play Music all offer festive options for a July Fourth party playlist. You can find pre-made playlists you love or make your own from your music library. Hook up your phone to speakers, and you’ll instantly set the mood for your guests.

Start with free text invitations. Then get groceries delivered, order your party supplies and find the perfect music all within an hour. That’s all you need to be the person in your social circle who gathers your friends and family to enjoy July Fourth this year.


Got stress? Bringing your pet to work can help

2018-06-29T09:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve ever felt tense, anxious or simply unable to relax while performing your job, you’re far from alone.

A recent survey by the American Institute of Stress found 80 percent of U.S. workers across industries have felt stress in the workplace; nearly half say they could use help dealing with it and 42 percent said their co-workers could use some relief.

To the delight of animal lovers everywhere, awareness of the physical, mental and emotional toll taken by stress is leading progressive employers to create take-your-pet-to-work programs. For example, for the past 20 years Purina has encouraged its associates to bring their pets to work, and in a typical week hundreds of dogs and cats enjoy spending time with their owners at the pet food maker’s St. Louis campus.

“Pets bring a wealth of benefits — both physical and emotional — to pet owners and their families, so it’s no surprise those same benefits also apply to the workplace and employees,” notes Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina’s chief veterinary officer. “Whether a pet helps provide a calming sense during a challenging situation or encourages employees to take a walk during their lunch break, here at Purina we experience the benefits of pets at work every day, and want others to as well.”

As more and more companies adopt a pets-at-work policy, consider these facts based on a recent Purina report about the many advantages of such programs:

* They can benefit health: Pet-employee interaction has been shown to reduce the employees’ blood pressure and cholesterol levels in addition to alleviating anxiety.

* They can improve employee retention: Sixty-three percent of employees in pet-friendly workplaces say they’re very satisfied with their work environments — nearly twice as many as those in other workplaces. In fact, respondents rank the option of bringing pets at work as the second most-valuable employee perk — more valuable than free coffee and parking. Overall, three in five survey participants wish their workplace would institute a pet-friendly policy.

* They can alleviate loneliness: Eight in 10 employees who can bring pets to work say that activity makes them feel more happy, relaxed and sociable. That’s partly because talking about pets can be an ice breaker, making it easier for people to approach co-workers and get to know them better.

* They can promote physical activity: Many employees spend breaks and lunchtime playing with their pets or taking them for walks, boosting their own aerobic activity at the same time.

* They can increase pets’ happiness: Rather than staying home waiting for their owners to arrive, pets get to socialize with new people, play with other pets and enjoy more activity. Nearly nine of 10 people in the survey agree that bringing their pets to work strengthens owner-pet bonding.

In light of the proven benefits, Purina encourages other employers to consider allowing pets in the workplace. A toolkit with tips and information is provided at Purina.com.

“Our goal with our report is to continue to raise awareness of the benefits of taking pets to work and to arm employees and employers with insights that can help facilitate pet-friendly environments within their companies,” notes Dr. Venator.


The right wood for the job: Your guide to summer deck building

2018-06-29T07:01:01

(BPT) – Think about your favorite moments and memories from past summers. The time you spent with family and friends, dining, playing games or simply enjoying one another’s company. Now, ask yourself this: How many of those summer memories took place outside, on the deck?

The deck is the perfect spot for summer get-togethers and events. However, if yours is in need of a facelift or a complete re-do, now is the perfect time of year to complete a new outdoor living space customized to fit your needs. A new wood deck can add value to your home, but be sure to choose the right wood products to build it. Thus, the question becomes: What type of wood do you use? When do you use ground-contact and above-ground, pressure-treated wood?

If you don’t know the answer to these questions, don’t worry. This article can help you determine what type of wood you need to use and where. Follow this guide from Viance and you’ll be on your way to building the deck of your dreams.

Ground-contact wood

As its name implies, ground-contact wood often forms the foundation of your project and may include the support posts placed in or on the ground, in concrete or in fresh water. Ground-contact should also be used whenever your wood pieces will be installed less than 6 inches off the ground, such as a ground level deck.

Ground contact wood earns this designation because it has been specifically treated to protect against fungal decay and termite attack at and below the ground’s surface. For your deck project, ground-contact, preservative-treated wood should be used for ledger boards, stair stringers and support posts. Other landscaping projects, like garden boxes, landscape walls and anything else that may be built in or on the ground, should use ground-contact, preservative- treated wood.

Above-ground wood

Above-ground wood is the other major designation, and this is the wood type you will use to build the majority of your deck. You can use above-ground treated wood for locations that are easy to maintain and repair, quick to dry and where ample air flow around the wood is possible. On most decks, this will be your deck boards, guardrails, balusters, joists and beams. Above-ground wood uses less preservative chemicals than ground-contact wood, and in newer preservative systems like Ecolife, it provides added benefits that can repel water, minimize cracking and keep boards straighter. Above-ground wood is also the ideal choice for many outdoor projects including arbors, trellises, lattice, decorative posts, trim boards and fence pickets.

If the wood will be more than 6 inches from the ground, above-ground wood is the ideal, and most economical type of treated wood to use.

Finding the right wood for your deck today

No matter the dimensions of your deck, chances are you’ll use a combination of ground-contact and above-ground, pressure-treated wood. Applying the guide above can help you determine which wood type you need for each phase of your project, but quandaries could still arise. If you ever have questions, you can find answers at treatedwood.com and learn more about EcoLife and Preserve pressure-treated wood, sold in lumberyards across the country and under the Severe Weather brand at your neighborhood Lowe’s store.


Smart steps to beat the heat in favorite outdoor spaces

2018-06-29T07:31:01

(BPT) – Are summer’s sizzling temperatures causing you to retreat from your favorite outdoor spaces? Garages, patios, sheds, gardens and other outdoor areas should be enjoyed throughout the year. Unfortunately, heat and humidity can quickly make being outside intolerable during the dog days of summer.

The good news is keeping outdoor spaces comfortable doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right tools and some thoughtful planning, you can stay cool and continue your favorite hobbies, no matter how high the temperatures rise. Whether it’s wrenching on a car, in the garage tackling a DIY project, tending to your patio container garden or simply kicking back on the deck, the following steps can help you stay cool and safe.

Step 1: Shade

Direct sun on decks and patios can make it nearly impossible to enjoy hot days. Strategically install shade features like umbrellas and awnings to add instant protection and ambiance. An alternative is vine-covered trellises that block sunlight and align well with the natural elements outdoors. For covered areas like garages and sheds, direct sunlight isn’t a concern, but those rays can raise the temperatures in those spaces fast. That’s why it’s important to take additional steps to cool the air within.

Step 2: Portable cooling

Fans alone simply circulate stagnant, hot air throughout outdoor living spaces. Instead consider an evaporative cooler. Available in a variety of sizes, Portacool portable evaporative coolers drop temperatures through the naturally occurring process of evaporation using water and the surrounding air, without creating mist. Open backyard spaces, patios and garages can be more comfortably cool on the hottest days by rolling this cooler wherever it’s needed.

Step 3: Insulation

For covered spaces like garages and sheds, adding insulation can help regulate temperatures. Batt insulation is inexpensive and an easy weekend DIY project to install if drywall isn’t present. Add to walls and ceiling spaces where applicable and then cover with drywall. If you already have drywall, you can look into blown-in insulation options. By insulating these spaces, you’ll help keep sweltering heat out and cool air in for more enjoyable summer days.

Step 4: Color

Keep color in mind when evaluating outdoor spaces. Light colors reflect the sun and dark colors absorb it, causing temperatures to rise. For decks and patios, opt for rugs and furniture in light colors to stay cool and comfortable. For garages and sheds, consider the color of the exterior. If you find the afternoon sun beats mercilessly down upon it, consider painting the exterior a lighter shade of paint, and when it’s time to replace the roof, choose a new color in a lighter hue.

Summer heat doesn’t have to force you indoors. Enjoy favorite outdoor spaces with these simple steps to stay cool and comfortable. For more information about evaporative coolers, visit www.portacool.com.


The right wood for the job: Your guide to summer deck building

2018-06-29T07:01:01

(BPT) – Think about your favorite moments and memories from past summers. The time you spent with family and friends, dining, playing games or simply enjoying one another’s company. Now, ask yourself this: How many of those summer memories took place outside, on the deck?

The deck is the perfect spot for summer get-togethers and events. However, if yours is in need of a facelift or a complete re-do, now is the perfect time of year to complete a new outdoor living space customized to fit your needs. A new wood deck can add value to your home, but be sure to choose the right wood products to build it. Thus, the question becomes: What type of wood do you use? When do you use ground-contact and above-ground, pressure-treated wood?

If you don’t know the answer to these questions, don’t worry. This article can help you determine what type of wood you need to use and where. Follow this guide from Viance and you’ll be on your way to building the deck of your dreams.

Ground-contact wood

As its name implies, ground-contact wood often forms the foundation of your project and may include the support posts placed in or on the ground, in concrete or in fresh water. Ground-contact should also be used whenever your wood pieces will be installed less than 6 inches off the ground, such as a ground level deck.

Ground contact wood earns this designation because it has been specifically treated to protect against fungal decay and termite attack at and below the ground’s surface. For your deck project, ground-contact, preservative-treated wood should be used for ledger boards, stair stringers and support posts. Other landscaping projects, like garden boxes, landscape walls and anything else that may be built in or on the ground, should use ground-contact, preservative- treated wood.

Above-ground wood

Above-ground wood is the other major designation, and this is the wood type you will use to build the majority of your deck. You can use above-ground treated wood for locations that are easy to maintain and repair, quick to dry and where ample air flow around the wood is possible. On most decks, this will be your deck boards, guardrails, balusters, joists and beams. Above-ground wood uses less preservative chemicals than ground-contact wood, and in newer preservative systems like Ecolife, it provides added benefits that can repel water, minimize cracking and keep boards straighter. Above-ground wood is also the ideal choice for many outdoor projects including arbors, trellises, lattice, decorative posts, trim boards and fence pickets.

If the wood will be more than 6 inches from the ground, above-ground wood is the ideal, and most economical type of treated wood to use.

Finding the right wood for your deck today

No matter the dimensions of your deck, chances are you’ll use a combination of ground-contact and above-ground, pressure-treated wood. Applying the guide above can help you determine which wood type you need for each phase of your project, but quandaries could still arise. If you ever have questions, you can find answers at treatedwood.com and learn more about EcoLife and Preserve pressure-treated wood, sold in lumberyards across the country and under the Severe Weather brand at your neighborhood Lowe’s store.


Smart steps to beat the heat in favorite outdoor spaces

2018-06-29T07:31:01

(BPT) – Are summer’s sizzling temperatures causing you to retreat from your favorite outdoor spaces? Garages, patios, sheds, gardens and other outdoor areas should be enjoyed throughout the year. Unfortunately, heat and humidity can quickly make being outside intolerable during the dog days of summer.

The good news is keeping outdoor spaces comfortable doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right tools and some thoughtful planning, you can stay cool and continue your favorite hobbies, no matter how high the temperatures rise. Whether it’s wrenching on a car, in the garage tackling a DIY project, tending to your patio container garden or simply kicking back on the deck, the following steps can help you stay cool and safe.

Step 1: Shade

Direct sun on decks and patios can make it nearly impossible to enjoy hot days. Strategically install shade features like umbrellas and awnings to add instant protection and ambiance. An alternative is vine-covered trellises that block sunlight and align well with the natural elements outdoors. For covered areas like garages and sheds, direct sunlight isn’t a concern, but those rays can raise the temperatures in those spaces fast. That’s why it’s important to take additional steps to cool the air within.

Step 2: Portable cooling

Fans alone simply circulate stagnant, hot air throughout outdoor living spaces. Instead consider an evaporative cooler. Available in a variety of sizes, Portacool portable evaporative coolers drop temperatures through the naturally occurring process of evaporation using water and the surrounding air, without creating mist. Open backyard spaces, patios and garages can be more comfortably cool on the hottest days by rolling this cooler wherever it’s needed.

Step 3: Insulation

For covered spaces like garages and sheds, adding insulation can help regulate temperatures. Batt insulation is inexpensive and an easy weekend DIY project to install if drywall isn’t present. Add to walls and ceiling spaces where applicable and then cover with drywall. If you already have drywall, you can look into blown-in insulation options. By insulating these spaces, you’ll help keep sweltering heat out and cool air in for more enjoyable summer days.

Step 4: Color

Keep color in mind when evaluating outdoor spaces. Light colors reflect the sun and dark colors absorb it, causing temperatures to rise. For decks and patios, opt for rugs and furniture in light colors to stay cool and comfortable. For garages and sheds, consider the color of the exterior. If you find the afternoon sun beats mercilessly down upon it, consider painting the exterior a lighter shade of paint, and when it’s time to replace the roof, choose a new color in a lighter hue.

Summer heat doesn’t have to force you indoors. Enjoy favorite outdoor spaces with these simple steps to stay cool and comfortable. For more information about evaporative coolers, visit www.portacool.com.


Do Your Allergies Seem Out of Control? Check the Signs for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

2018-06-28T14:30:00

(BPT) – Summer is nearly upon us. The warm weather leads to flowers blooming, luscious green grass, and verdant trees. Unfortunately, for those with seasonal allergies, the picture is not as lovely, with visions of a spike in pollen, stuffy noses, congestion, facial pain and tenderness, decreased smell and taste, and sinus infections.

For most people suffering from seasonal allergies, relief is found with over-the-counter and prescription medications, allowing them to enjoy the sunshine and smell the flowers. However, if the condition lingers or becomes more severe, you could be the 1 in 7 people in the United States battling chronic sinus infections.1

More than 30 million Americans experience the pain and discomfort of chronic sinus infections, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).1 Unlike acute sinus infections, CRS is unresolved, with severe inflammation of the sinuses lasting for more than 12 weeks.1 Several factors are associated with the potential development of CRS, including infection, growths in the sinuses known as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, abnormal anatomy of the sinuses, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke.2,4

Signs and symptoms of CRS include at least two of the following:1

  • Difficulty breathing through the nose due to nasal obstruction or congestion
  • Reduced sense of smell and taste
  • Thick, discolored discharge from the nose or drainage down the back of the throat
  • Pain, tenderness and swelling around the eyes, nose, or face

The pain from CRS can be agonizing. It can affect nasal function, impair health and diminish quality of life — most individuals with CRS report a lower quality of life than individuals with chronic back pain or even congestive heart failure.3 In addition to the unrelenting pain, CRS also has a financial impact — directly costing society more than $4.3 billion annually.3

If you are unable to find relief from the pain and congestion of CRS with over-the-counter or prescribed drug therapies, you should see your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or primary care physician to have further evaluation.

When drug therapies fail to provide relief from CRS, doctors typically recommend that their patients consider functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to remove the source of the blockage and infection.4 More than 500,000 sinus surgeries are performed every year in the United States.3

As with most surgeries, there are risks to consider such as damage to the areas surrounding the sinuses or failure of the procedure. Approximately 1 in 5 sinus surgeries fail to provide desirable outcomes and require subsequent procedures to provide CRS patients with relief.4

However, there are ways to minimize the risks and improve the chances of a successful surgery.5 If sinus surgery is recommended by your doctor, consider image-guided, or navigated surgery, with the StealthStation™ ENT, which may enable a more thorough sinus procedure.

Recently granted 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the StealthStation™ ENT allows surgeons to “visualize” your sinuses in three-dimensional (3D) images so they can maneuver to where they will be operating and avoid critical anatomical structures, such as the brain, optic nerve and vital arteries. The surgical navigation system can provide surgeons with images of your anatomy during the procedure, allowing surgeons to see behind delicate or hard-to-reach areas unique to only you. StealthStation™ ENT and other image-guidance systems are associated with better patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.5

If you believe you may be battling chronic sinusitis, download and print this infographic questionnaire, which you can share with your primary healthcare provider or ENT specialist during your next appointment.



[i] Rosenfeld RM, Andes D, Bhattacharyva N, et al. Clinical practice guidelines: Adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;137:S1-S31.

[ii] Bachert C, Pawankar R, Zhang L, et al. ICON: chronic rhinosinusitis. World Allergy Organ J. 2014; 7:25.

[iii] Smith TL, litvack HR, Hwang PH, et al. Determinants of outcomes of sinus surgery: a multi-institutional prospective cohort study. Otolaryngology-HNS. 2010;142:55-63.

[iv] Khalid AN, Quraishi SA, Kenney DW. Long-term quality of life measures after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. AM J Rhin.2004;18:131-136.

[v] Dalgorf DM, et al. Image-guided surgery influences perioperative morbidity from endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013 Jul;149(1):17-29.