Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses that interfere with the respiratory system’s normal mucus drainage. This leads to difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, pain, and pressure. If the condition lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects an estimated 37 million Americans. An infection originating from a cold or allergies most often causes sinusitis. Additionally, it could be the result of:
- Viral infections
- A deviated septum
- Trauma to the face
- Hay fever
- Complications from immune system disorders
- An allergic reaction
- Tumors
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
One suffering from sinusitis may experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- Facial pressure and swelling
- Loss of senses of smell and taste
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
Complications can include asthma attacks, meningitis, vision problems, aneurysms, stroke, cold, and flu.
How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will review your medical history, inspect your nasal passages for polyps and other abnormalities, and check for inflammation and any built-up fluids. They may also utilize nasal endoscopy, CT scans, MRIs, and allergy tests to help confirm the diagnosis.
How Is Sinusitis Treated?
Treatments will vary depending upon the severity and type of your sinusitis—antihistamines nasal steroid sprays, saline washes, and oral steroids all provide long-term relief. More permanent options include immunotherapy or surgery (link to nasal surgery page).
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses that interfere with the respiratory system’s normal mucus drainage. This leads to difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing (link to swallowing disorders page), pain, and pressure. If the condition lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects an estimated 37 million Americans. An infection originating from a cold or allergies most often causes sinusitis. Additionally, it could be the result of:
- Viral infections
- A deviated septum (link to deviated septum page)
- Trauma to the face
- Hay fever
- Complications from immune system disorders
- An allergic reaction
- Tumors
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
One suffering from sinusitis may experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- Facial pressure and swelling
- Loss of senses of smell and taste
How Is Rhinitis Treated?
Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and potential skin and blood tests. Sinus problems present similar symptoms, so you may also need a nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Cryoablation of the posterior nasal nerve is an in-office procedure that can significantly reduce postnasal drip.
Your prescribed treatment plan will be based on the severity of your symptoms. Mild cases of rhinitis may respond to simple home remedies:
- Irrigation of the nasal passages with a Neti pot or bulb syringe
- Using a humidifier to moisten the air
- Drinking lots of liquids.
It’s also a good idea to avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
Your doctor may recommend antihistamines, decongestants, and/or saline and corticosteroid nasal sprays. For any physical abnormalities, surgery (link to nasal surgery page) is the most effective option.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses that interfere with the respiratory system’s normal mucus drainage. This leads to difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing (link to swallowing disorders page), pain, and pressure. If the condition lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects an estimated 37 million Americans. An infection originating from a cold or allergies most often causes sinusitis. Additionally, it could be the result of:
- Viral infections
- A deviated septum (link to deviated septum page)
- Trauma to the face
- Hay fever
- Complications from immune system disorders
- An allergic reaction
- Tumors
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
One suffering from sinusitis may experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- Facial pressure and swelling
- Loss of senses of smell and taste
How Is Rhinitis Treated?
Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and potential skin and blood tests. Sinus problems present similar symptoms, so you may also need a nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Cryoablation of the posterior nasal nerve is an in-office procedure that can significantly reduce postnasal drip.
Your prescribed treatment plan will be based on the severity of your symptoms. Mild cases of rhinitis may respond to simple home remedies:
- Irrigation of the nasal passages with a Neti pot or bulb syringe
- Using a humidifier to moisten the air
- Drinking lots of liquids.
It’s also a good idea to avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
Your doctor may recommend antihistamines, decongestants, and/or saline and corticosteroid nasal sprays. For any physical abnormalities, surgery (link to nasal surgery page) is the most effective option.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses that interfere with the respiratory system’s normal mucus drainage. This leads to difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing (link to swallowing disorders page), pain, and pressure. If the condition lasts for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects an estimated 37 million Americans. An infection originating from a cold or allergies most often causes sinusitis. Additionally, it could be the result of:
- Viral infections
- A deviated septum (link to deviated septum page)
- Trauma to the face
- Hay fever
- Complications from immune system disorders
- An allergic reaction
- Tumors
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
One suffering from sinusitis may experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- Facial pressure and swelling
- Loss of senses of smell and taste
How Is Rhinitis Treated?
Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and potential skin and blood tests. Sinus problems present similar symptoms, so you may also need a nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Cryoablation of the posterior nasal nerve is an in-office procedure that can significantly reduce postnasal drip.
Your prescribed treatment plan will be based on the severity of your symptoms. Mild cases of rhinitis may respond to simple home remedies:
- Irrigation of the nasal passages with a Neti pot or bulb syringe
- Using a humidifier to moisten the air
- Drinking lots of liquids.
It’s also a good idea to avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
Your doctor may recommend antihistamines, decongestants, and/or saline and corticosteroid nasal sprays. For any physical abnormalities, surgery (link to nasal surgery page) is the most effective option.