For the last couple of weeks, you’ve been feeling congested and have had some swelling just above your cheeks. You keep telling yourself it’s just a cold, and if you give it a few more days, it’ll pass. But a few days later, you’re completely fatigued and feel like someone is pounding on your eyes from the outside in. Deep in your heart, you know you are suffering from sinusitis.
Sinusitis is a common condition wherein the area around your nasal passages, the sinuses, become swollen. Acute sinusitis is a temporary infection that is most often associated with a cold. Usually, in an acute case, over-the-counter remedies, fluids and rest are all you need to feel better after a couple of days. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis persists much longer – at least eight weeks – and requires help from a doctor.
In order to be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, you must have at least two of the following symptoms:
- Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat
- Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
- Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
In addition, you may also be experiencing:
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Aching in the jaw and teeth
- Fatigue
- Nausea
If we have just described how you’ve been feeling, it’s time to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable physicians at CT Sinus Center. Depending on your individual symptoms and medical history, your doctor may use a variety of diagnostic methods to determine the underlying cause of your discomfort.
In many cases, your doctor will recommend saline irrigation, nasal sprays to prevent inflammation, decongestant or corticosteroids to relieve inflammation. If you have a bacterial infection, you will likely be prescribed antibiotics.
If these treatments don’t do the trick, or your symptoms keep coming back, CT Sinus Center can help you find the permanent relief that has been eluding you. Schedule a consultation with one of our specialists to see if you are eligible for Balloon Sinus Dilation, a procedure designed to reshape your nasal passages, thereby increasing airflow and drainage and decreasing the chance of mucus buildup and further sinus problems. This non-evasive procedure is done under local anesthesia and takes just under an hour. It is available only at CT Sinus Center.
For more information on how we can help you get permanent relief from sinusitis, schedule an appointment today!