ENT, SINUS & ALLERGY HEALTH BLOG
Acute sinusitis is a fairly common ailment that is often caused by the common cold, but it can be a very uncomfortable experience.
According to Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, there are a variety of ways to treat sinus inflammation, which can cause headaches and pain due to the blockage of the sinus cavity.
“You can use medications, like nasal steroids, sprays or moisture steam. Keeping things nice and warm in the sinus cavities certainly helps. Then you get into medications like antibiotics and oral steroids, which can be necessary to really get rid of an acute sinus infection that is causing a wicked headache,” Khanna explained. “But as a preventative for patients who get recurring sinus headaches and pressure, balloon sinuplasty is a very reasonable, viable option.”
According to Mayo Clinic, acute sinusitis can usually can be resolved within a week to 10 days, unless a bacterial infection develops. Sinusitis that goes on for more than 12 weeks, despite treatment, is referred to as "chronic sinusitis."
With acute sinusitis, it might be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around the eyes and face may feel swollen, and there is often throbbing facial pain and headaches involved. Acute sinusitis causes the sinuses to become inflamed and swollen, which interferes with drainage, causing mucus to build up.
Khanna explained that the sinus cavities are located behind the facial structure, in the area behind the cheeks and throughout the head and neck. The pain can extend into the upper teeth, which can lead to people thinking they have a problem with their teeth rather than their sinuses. He said the sphenoid sinuses are located in the back of the nose, and when inflamed, can cause pain in the top and back of the head.
Generally, treatment starts with topical sprays and antibiotic steroids, but if the infection becomes chronic, balloon sinus dilation can be a permanent fix. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that has few side effects and very minimal recovery time. It is a relatively new procedure that has been proven very effective against chronic sinusitis.
Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is offering a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to help allergy sufferers identify their symptoms.
Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in the entire DC Metro Area, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed, long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique, collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, please visit our website.