What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a medical term that indicates inflammation of your sinuses, which is the hollow cavity that surrounds your nose. You can develop sinusitis from a cold, allergies, or problems with your nasal cavity.
Sinusitis is categorized into types based on the length or frequency of your inflammation:
- Acute sinusitis (no longer than four weeks)
- Subacute sinusitis (inflammation for four to 12 weeks)
- Chronic sinusitis (inflammation 12 or more weeks)
- Recurrent sinusitis (seasonal inflammation)
For those suffering from chronic sinusitis, the condition can last months or even years.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Sinusitis symptoms vary in type and severity. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
- Nasal discharge
- Toothache
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Cough
- Fatigue
You may also experience postnasal drip with sinusitis, which is the drainage of mucus from your sinus cavity into your throat. Postnasal drip can lead to throat irritation and an ongoing cough.
How is sinusitis treated?
Felipe J. Martinez MD offers many advanced treatment options for sinusitis. To determine the best treatment for your sinusitis, you may first undergo a physical exam and diagnostic testing, such as an X-ray or MRI. The advanced ENT practice may also perform a nasal endoscopy to examine the interior of your nasal and sinus passage.
Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your sinus inflammation and the underlying cause. You may initially benefit from conservative treatments, such as a decongestant, nasal spray, or antibiotic.
However, if you suffer from chronic sinusitis, a nasal problem, or conservative measures fail to alleviate your inflammation, Felipe J. Martinez MD may suggest other treatment options, such as:
Balloon sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty is an in-office procedure that gently reshapes your sinus anatomy to restore proper drainage.
Ethmoidectomy
An ethmoidectomy removes the infected tissue and bone in your ethmoid sinuses, which are between your eyes and the bridge of your nose.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)
FESS is an outpatient procedure that uses an endoscope to open your sinus cavity and alleviate your symptoms.
Septoplasty
A septoplasty alleviates nasal obstruction by fixing your deviated septum.
Submucous resection of turbinates
If your turbinates, the tissue in your nose that helps clean and moisten the air when you breathe in, are enlarged and causing nasal obstruction, you may benefit from a submucous resection of turbinates. During this in-office procedure, the submucosal tissue is resected to alleviate your symptoms.
For comprehensive sinusitis care, call Felipe J. Martinez MD or request an appointment online today.
