My husband and son both suffer from chronic sinusitis. Due to my husband's job, we can live anywhere in the United States. Where is the best place to live for this condition? We are considering moving to Florida near the ocean, or possibly California -- the San Francisco area.

Nancy

Allergy is the only reason a change of location would make any difference to your husband's and son's sinus disease. You are fortunate to have such geographic freedom, but before you make such a major decision, please consider the following points:

1. Many cases of chronic sinusitis are not allergy related. If this is true of your family, you could live in Antarctica and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.
   
2. Many supposed cases of chronic sinusitis are misdiagnosed as such. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis are facial pain and pressure, nasal congestion and postnasal drainage. Not all of these symptoms need be present. Significantly, many other conditions cause identical symptoms, and there is no single test that will establish whether one's symptoms are due to sinusitis. (A CT scan showing inflamed sinus tissues is not conclusive proof, nor does a "clear" CT eliminate the possibility of chronic sinusitis.)
   
3. Let's assume your husband and son really do have chronic sinusitis, and let's further assume that their sinusitis is exacerbated by nasal allergies. No area of the world is allergy-free. Some of us Homo sapiens develop allergies -- that's just how it is. Move to a different climate and you may have some relief, only to develop new allergies a few years later.

   It is true, however, that some areas of the country are worse or better for certain types of allergens. But to give you this sort of advice, I would need to know more about your son's and husband's specific allergies. SO: They could undergo allergy testing, and a medical allergist (a doctor who specializes in allergy problems) could then advise them on where they ought to live. As noted above, this may provide only a few years' hiatus from their sinus problems.
   

• Finally, let me offer up a different approach to this problem. Allergies and chronic sinusitis are both treatable problems. Why not live where you WANT to live, based upon the usual considerations (proximity to family and friends, quality of schools, weather, recreation and so forth)? Then find a good doctor and get busy on managing those obnoxious sinuses!
  We could argue this one well into the next millennium. There's no right or wrong answer; even armed with extremely detailed information about your husband's and son's medical condition, I would not be able to give you a wholehearted recommendation. Doctors, like lawyers, love to hedge their recommendations. I am no exception to this rule.