SINUSITIS

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed and/infected. Usually your sinuses become inflamed by allergic triggers or respiratory infections, like the common cold. If that inflammation persists without treatment, it can lead to a sinus infection. If that infection or inflammation persists for longer than three weeks, it's considered chronic.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

 The most common symptoms associated with sinusitis are:

• Nasal stuffiness
• Headaches (in the front of your head or around your nose)
• Post-nasal drainage
• Discolored nasal discharge
• Cough

How is sinusitis diagnosed and treated?

Your allergist will ask about your symptoms, how long you've been experiencing those symptoms, and potential allergic triggers. For example, some people will experience sinus problems during the spring or fall when pollen counts are high, which means their sinus troubles are triggered by seasonal allergies. Once your allergist knows the cause of your sinusitis, a treatment plan will be recommended. (If your chronic sinusitis is due to structural problems, your allergist will refer you to your primary care physician or an ENT.)

For accurate sinus infection and chronic sinusitis diagnoses, The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center uses the MiniCAT™ instant CT scanner. The scan takes only 40 seconds (20 seconds for children) and can provide visual confirmation of infections or structural issues.

Treatment for sinusitis may include:

• Nasal steroid sprays
• Saline irrigation
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines/decongestants
• Immunotherapy

Is there a cure for sinusitis?

When the underlying cause of sinusitis is treated effectively, your symptoms may disappear or no longer be chronic. Since allergies are one of the triggers for sinusitis, immunotherapy can be the most effective long-term approach. By controlling your allergic reactions early, you can prevent them from worsening and leading to more serious complications.

What happens if sinusitis goes untreated?

If sinusitis goes untreated, you can expect it to develop into an infection, which may happen more often (becoming chronic) and can progress to your ears and throughout your upper and lower respiratory tracts. If the infection continues untreated, it can invade surrounding boney tissue (osteomyelitis) and, in rare cases, result in meningitis. That's why it's important to work with your allergist to prevent any allergic or sinus issues from developing into chronic, debilitating conditions. If you're ready to take control and stop the cycle of sinusitis or sinus infections, contact us today.