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Empty Nose Syndrome yet a tragic story -Introduction
Bente Van de Veerdonk was a vibrant and determined young woman from Oss, Noord-Brabant, in the Netherlands. Born on December 28, 1997, she had a promising future, skillfully balancing her aspirations in marketing and communication with a career in childcare. Tragically, her life was cut short in November 2024, just 1.5 months shy of her 27th birthday, after a devastating struggle with health issues related to septoplasty and turbinate reduction.
During the septoplasty, Bente's inferior turbinates were reduced using coblation, a method that burns the nasal turbinates. This procedure ultimately led to Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS). Alongside ENS, Bente also battled Crohn's disease and thyroid imbalances, which further compounded her significant health challenges.
A Life of Ambition and Dedication
Bente’s educational journey reflected her passion for learning and personal development. She pursued childcare studies at ROC de Leijgraaf from 2014 to 2017, earning qualifications as a pedagogical employee. Her dedication to children shone through her work at Avem Kinderopvang from July 2019 to November 2021, where she provided care and early childhood education. She later decided to further her education, studying marketing and communications at LOI (Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen) in 2023, aiming to broaden her professional horizons.
A Multifaceted Health Struggle
In addition to her professional and academic pursuits, Bente faced chronic health challenges. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition. She also battled thyroid imbalances that left her body in a fragile and unpredictable state. Despite these challenges, she remained hopeful, seeking alternative therapies such as homeopathy and consulting with specialists to find relief.
The Nose Surgery That Changed Everything
In early 2024, Bente underwent nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum and reduce enlarged turbinates. The procedure included septoplasty and bilateral turbinate reduction performed using coblation, a technique often described as low-risk and intended to improve nasal airflow. However, as in many other cases, the surgery led to immediate complications that progressively worsened over time. Her post-operative care involved the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays, which Bente believed further damaged her nasal mucosa.
Brentes symptoms were severe and unrelenting:
Feeling of excessive airflow through the nose.
A persistent burning sensation in her nostrils. The nasal pain was described as severe and unrelenting.
Severe nasal dryness and crusting, worsened by corticosteroid nasal spray prescribed post-surgery.
Slept with her mouth open due to nasal discomfort, which exacerbated dryness.
A sensation of hyperventilation and inability to sense airflow during exhalation. Hyperventilation was worst at night.
Sleep deprivation, including periods of up to five days without rest.
Constant awareness of breathing, leading to severe hyperfocus on it.
Difficulty focusing on everyday tasks, as even watching television became unbearable.
Systemic effects such as dry eyes, a lump in her throat, painful ears, and burning sensations in her chest and limbs.
These symptoms pointed to Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), a condition where the nasal passages feel overly open, disrupting normal breathing and airflow sensation.
Experimented unsuccessfully with nose clips, tape, and other methods to block excessive airflow.
Other Symptoms Likely Related to ENS:
Dry eyes and mouth.
Difficulty swallowing and a persistent feeling of a lump in her throat.
Ear pain.
Burning sensations across her chest, arms, and back.
Other Medical Conditions:
Reported her thyroid was "close to being too hard," indicating hyperthyroidism or another form of thyroid dysfunction.
A Desperate Search for Relief
Bente sought help tirelessly, consulting with specialists, including plans to visit Dr. Dixon, an ENS expert in Rotterdam. She explored treatments ranging from nasal ointments and warm beverages to alternative therapies like homeopathy. Despite her efforts, the relief was fleeting or nonexistent. On online forums, she vulnerably shared her experiences and sought advice, expressing both hope and despair.
In one poignant post, she wrote:
"I can’t focus on anything else but my breathing. Sleeping is a BIG issue... I really need help to make it a bit more bearable because now I can’t even focus on the TV. You have to imagine."
Her desperation was palpable as she detailed her struggles with insomnia, dependence on lorazepam, and her declining mental health. She expressed fear, isolation, and a longing for a solution that never came.
Bente Van de Veerdonk - The Final Days
In the ten months following her surgery, Bente’s quality of life deteriorated drastically. Once manageable, her health challenges became insurmountable. By the time of her death in november 2024, she had endured sleepless nights, chronic pain, and the emotional toll of feeling her body "failing in every way." Despite her relentless search for hope and support, her suffering became too great to bear and she ended it herself.
A Legacy of Awareness
Tragically, Bente became the sixth individual in 2024 to take her own life as a result of the unrelenting suffering caused by Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS).
Earlier this year, others suffering from ENS also took their own lives, including Charly Audes (France), Tyler Kuckelman (US), Océane Flavigny (France), Sam Treffry (Australia, 2024), and a 54-year-old Canadian man (name withheld).
Please note that these names are based on reports from three online ENS support groups on Facebook, with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 members. It is important to emphasize that this number does not reflect global statistics, as the actual number of ENS-related deaths worldwide is likely much higher.
Bente's death was a direct consequence of complications from a septum and turbinate surgery performed by her surgeon. How many more lives must be lost before authorities intervene? When will these dangerous procedures be banned, and when will the medical community be held accountable for the harm they cause?
