Sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an infection that inflames your sinus cavities. Often bacterial or viral, the infection can be short-lived (acute), long-term (chronic), or it can come and go over and over again (recurrent). You’ll be diagnosed with recurrent sinusitis if you experience symptoms of the infection three or more times in a year.

Sinusitis always starts as fluid trapped in your sinuses. This creates a rich environment for bacteria and viruses to grow in. Allergies, asthma, and chemical irritants in the air can contribute to a flare-up of sinusitis symptoms.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Many of the symptoms of sinusitis resemble symptoms of hay fever or the common cold. But the condition has some distinct symptoms of its own too. They vary in how severe the infection is and how long it lasts.

The most common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Green or yellow nasal discharge
• Postnasal drip
• Facial pressure
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Bad breath
• Reduced sense of smell
• Reduced sense of taste
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Toothache

When you come to ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC, you should describe your symptoms and medical history in as much detail as possible. This helps the team make the correct diagnosis so that they can provide appropriate treatment for your sinusitis.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

After diagnosing sinusitis with a physical exam, the team might also order a CT scan of your nose and sinuses. This gives them a detailed view of the inside of your sinuses. It enables them to see any structural abnormalities that might be making your sinusitis worse, like a deviated or crooked septum, polyps, or cysts.

Since allergies can make sinusitis worse, the ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC team might also use allergy tests to see if allergens are triggering or contributing to your sinusitis.

How is sinusitis treated?

ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC treats your sinusitis with a combination of different therapies and medications. Depending on how severe your sinusitis is and if they find anything contributing to it, the team will treat your sinusitis with:

• Sinus rinsing
• Antibiotic treatments
• Decongestants
• Nasal corticosteroids
• Endoscopic sinus surgery

The team will offer immunotherapy using allergy shots or under-the-tongue allergy drops to control any allergies that contribute to your sinusitis. You’ll also be encouraged to avoid triggering substances and circumstances, like secondhand smoke, dry air, and dusty or mold-infested environments.

Sinusitis is manageable, even if it’s chronic. Call ENT & Allergy Specialists of VA, PC today for an appointment or book a visit online.