Sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed. It’s often due to viruses or bacteria, although airborne pollutants and fungi can also trigger your symptoms. 

Your risk of sinusitis is higher if you have a compromised immune system, nasal polyps, or structural abnormalities like a deviated septum.

You can have acute or chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis lasts longer, or you have frequent, recurring infections. Some of the common signs of the illness include:

• Nasal congestion
• Facial pain
• Runny nose
• Thick yellow or green mucus
• Reduced sense of smell
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Bad breath 

Your sinuses are the hollow spaces behind your nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead. They’re lined with a mucous membrane that moistens and warms the air you breathe as well as preventing germs, dust, and other particles from entering your body.

When should I talk to a doctor about sinusitis?

Make an appointment at ENT Specialists if you or your child has sinusitis symptoms lasting longer than a week. 

Most mild cases go away on their own with several days of rest and at-home care. Longer-lasting symptoms indicate a more severe infection that requires medical treatment. 

How is sinusitis treated?

Your ENT Specialists physician begins with an exam to assess your condition. After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, they take a nasal swab and check your nasal cavity for polyps or a deviated septum.

Your doctor may recommend an in-office CT scan to examine your sinuses in more detail. They then create a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and heal your infection. 

In many cases, your provider prescribes medication to help you fight off the infection and soothe your symptoms. For example, they might prescribe oral antibiotics or corticosteroids or nasal spray. 

Chronic sinusitis is often due to abnormal structures in your nose. Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove nasal polyps or repair a deviated septum. The team also offers balloon sinuplasty to open your sinuses, improving airflow and reducing your risk of infections. 

Call ENT Specialists today or make an appointment online for expert diagnosis and treatment for sinusitis.