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Posts for tag: Sinus Treatment
If you battle sinus issues isn’t it time you got all of your health questions answered?
Most people will deal with sinus problems at some point during their lifetime. The nasal congestion, facial pressure and stuffed up nose may be unpleasant but it will often just go away on its own. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky. Sometimes sinus issues don’t go away or are serious enough that you may require proper medical care. We know you may have questions about your sinus problems and our Wayne, NJ, otolaryngologist Dr. Frank Kardos is here to answer them.
Q. What is sinusitis?
A. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passageways that can even lead to a partial or complete blockage. Since this condition is usually the result of a viral infection, the body is able to clear the infection on its own over the course of a couple of weeks.
Q. When should you seek medical attention for a sinus infection?
A. There are simple at-home measures you can take to ease symptoms while your body fights the virus. Of course, if you notice that your symptoms don’t improve or actually get worse after 48 hours of caring for your symptoms then it’s a good idea to call our Wayne, NJ, ENT doctor to find out if you should come into the office for more aggressive treatment.
Q. When is sinusitis considered chronic?
A. If you’ve had inflamed, swollen nasal passages for at least 12 weeks despite proper care then our otolaryngologist may diagnose you with chronic sinusitis.
Q. What are the treatment options available to me to treat sinusitis?
A. The treatment plan you receive will really depend on the type of sinusitis you have (acute versus chronic) and the type of symptoms you have. Acute sinusitis will go away on its own and can be managed through over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, and nasal sprays. If your sinus infection is bacterial then antibiotics will need to be prescribed.
We may also prescribe a strong round of antibiotics if you have chronic sinusitis. If your long-term sinus infection doesn’t improve with these treatment options then you may need to consider balloon sinuplasty or nasal surgery to clear the blockage.
If you still have questions about sinus treatment, or if you need to schedule an appointment with our ENT specialist, then it’s time you called our Wayne, NJ, sinus treatment center to get the care you need to breathe easier.
Find out more about how your Wayne ENT doctor will treat your sinus problems.
Tired of dealing with sinus problems? Then you’ve come to the right place. Your Wayne, NJ ENT doctor Dr. Frank Kardos is here to help.
What is sinusitis? What are the causes?
Sinusitis is characterized as inflammation of the tissue of the nasal cavities. If the inflammation is severe enough it can block the sinuses and prevent mucus from draining. Sinusitis can be caused by the common cold, allergies, or a bacterial or fungal infection.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
The most common signs that someone is dealing with sinusitis is facial pain and pressure, as well as congestion and thick green or yellow mucus. Acute forms of sinusitis usually last up to four weeks while those with chronic sinusitis will deal with symptoms for a minimum of 12 weeks.
How is sinusitis treated?
Fortunately, no matter what your ENT doctor in Wayne tells you is the root cause of your condition, we have the treatment option to help you. By figuring out the underlying problem responsible for your sinusitis we can design the proper treatment plan for you. Sometimes imaging tests (e.g. CT scan, MRI, etc.) will need to be performed to pinpoint the exact cause.
Here are some of the most common treatment options:
Antibiotics: if a bacterial infection is the cause of your sinusitis
Painkillers: To help alleviate discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help
Decongestants: This can help reduce mucus buildup.
Allergy medications: If allergies are causing your sinusitis then medications like antihistamines could help control your symptoms.
Steroids: Sometimes nasal steroids are used to reduce swelling of the nasal cavities. This is often recommended for those with serious or chronic cases.
Surgery: If we’ve exhausted all other treatment options and you haven’t experienced the relief you need, then surgery may be the next best option.
Are there any lifestyle changes or at-home remedies I can follow?
Besides taking the medications as prescribed by your Wayne ear, nose and throat doctor here are some other things you can do to alleviate your sinusitis symptoms:
- Use a nasal solution to help clean out passages and keep them from drying out
- Place a warm towel over your face to reduce facial pressure
- Use a humidifier in the rooms of the house that you spent the most time in (e.g. bedroom). Just make sure to clean and change the filter regularly.
- Rest as much as possible to give your body a chance to heal
Don’t let ear, nose and throat issues get the better of you; Dr. Kardos can help. And if you are noticing issues with hearing or balance, turn to our 30-year expert Dr. Gary Hilt for the care you deserve. Call our office to schedule an appointment.