Sinusitis Specialist

What is sinusitis?

With sinusitis, the cavities around your nasal or sinus passageways become swollen and inflamed, often leading to a buildup of mucus.

Other sinusitis symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Aching teeth and jaw
• Nasal congestion
• Headaches
• Facial swelling and pain
• Trouble breathing through the nose
• Fatigue
• Ear pressure
  
  

You might also have drainage of thick yellowish or greenish discharge from the back of your throat or nose.

If it lasts 12 weeks or less, sinusitis is acute. If you have sinusitis for more than 12 weeks, it’s considered chronic. If you’re looking for relief from your sinusitis, you should visit Allergy and Asthma Consultants for an evaluation.

What causes sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is typically caused by the common cold. The cause of sinusitis isn’t always clear, and certain factors might play a role, such as: 

• A nasal passage abnormality
• Certain medical conditions like cystic fibrosis
• Hay fever and other allergic conditions
   

If you have a weakened immune system because of an underlying medical condition or medication, you’re more likely to catch infections and colds that can lead to sinusitis. 

Severe cases of sinusitis can cause complications, such as total or partial loss of smell and meningitis.

What are the treatments for sinusitis?

Your provider might suggest blood work or imaging to obtain more information about your general health and the cause of your sinusitis. 

It might be caused by allergies, so your provider might suggest skin testing and other testing methods to identify the allergens.

To treat your sinusitis, your provider might suggest: 

• Antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection
• Nasal corticosteroids to reduce swelling
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatories
• Saline nasal spray to rinse out your nasal passages
• Decongestants to help with congestion
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to build your body’s tolerance to the allergen over time
• Lifestyle changes, such as nutrition
• Sinus surgery when needed
• Washing your nasal cavities with a saline rinse
• Antibiotics and antifungal medications

Once your provider has helped you identify your allergies, your allergy triggers, and what’s contributing to or causing your sinusitis, your provider can devise a personalized treatment plan and discuss your treatment options.

Immunotherapy is also available at Allergy and Asthma Consultants, where you receive regular injections containing controlled tiny amounts of the allergen over time. Your body gradually builds up a tolerance to the allergens. 

Allergy and Asthma Consultants also offer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) as an alternative to injections, in which your provider administers small doses of the allergen under your tongue.

Don’t let sinusitis darken your day when you have quality solutions at Allergy and Asthma Consultants. Click the online scheduling tool or call the nearest office today.