What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. Your sinuses are cavities behind your nose, cheeks, and forehead. Normally, sinuses are empty spaces through which air passes when you breathe. The mucus in your sinuses helps to filter the air and keep bacteria out.
If your sinuses fill with mucus and can’t drain, bacteria can multiply, causing an infection. This leads to inflammation of the tissues lining your sinuses. The fluid creates pressure inside your sinuses, resulting in facial pain.
Acute sinusitis usually lasts 2-4 weeks. Sinusitis can also become a chronic problem or you might have frequent bouts of sinusitis.
What causes sinusitis?
Most cases of sinusitis develop after a cold or other type of respiratory infection. When you have a cold, your nasal passages and sinuses fill with the mucus your body produces because of the cold.
You can also get sinusitis if you have:
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Nasal polyps
- A deviated septum
You’re also more likely to get sinusitis if you smoke.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis causes a distinct feeling of pressure and pain behind your nose and eyes. You could also experience:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Dental pain
- Earache
- Sensitivity to sound
- Loss of smell
- Coughing
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Fatigue
You might get a thick greenish or yellowish discharge from your nostrils.
How is sinusitis treated?
At ENT of New Orleans, treating acute sinusitis usually involves:
- Decongestant treatment
- Saline washes
- Antibiotics
- Steroids
You can also try breathing in steam or using warm compresses on your face to ease the pain and loosen the mucus. Don’t take over-the-counter decongestants for more than three days, though, or they could make your sinusitis worse.
If you have chronic or recurrent sinusitis, you might benefit from balloon sinuplasty. The board-certified surgeons at ENT of New Orleans have a state-of-the-art in-office operating room. They use this facility to do image-guided balloon sinuplasty that opens up your sinuses using minimally invasive techniques.
Some patients might require sinus surgery. The most common form is functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). In this procedure, endoscopic instruments go into your sinuses through your nose. Your surgeon can then remove abnormal tissue that’s blocking your sinuses.
ENT of New Orleans is a leading provider of sinus care and is an Entellus Medical Center of Excellence for sinus procedures.
If chronic sinusitis is affecting your quality of life, call ENT of New Orleans today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
We see patients all throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Call us to book your appointment today.
