Oh, that headache across your forehead is back. Your nose is dripping, and you think you have bad breath. Your ENT physicians, Dr. Ravi Agarwal and Dr. Sudhir Agarwal see and treat sinus infections at Westside Ear, Nose and Throat in Glendale, AZ. They'll help you stay on top of this uncomfortable and nuisance condition.
Your sinuses and what may happen to them
They help you take air in and out of your respiratory system. Located behind the forehead and cheeks and at the sides of the nose and lined with mucous membranes, they produce fluids that humidify and filter what we breathe in.
Unfortunately, many people have sinus issues. Often, after a cold or the flu, sinuses become inflamed and irritated, producing symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Pressure across the sinuses
Infections may be bacterial or viral and may be precipitated by:
- Allergies
- Environmental pollution (both indoor and outdoor)
- Smoking
- Anatomical problems such as a deviated septum, polyps, and congenital defects of the nose and sinuses
Treating sinus infections
Dr. Ravi Agarwal and Dr. Sudhir Agarwal review sinus complaints carefully. Often, sinusitis resolves by itself with simple interventions such as:
- Saline sprays
- Neti pot irrigation
- Over the counter decongestants
- Treatment of allergy symptoms
More persistent infections may require steroidal nasal sprays and/or antibiotics, particularly if the symptoms persist for more than 10 days.
Additionally, for people who have repeat, or chronic, sinusitis, an MRI, or CAT scan of the sinuses may be in order. Your otolaryngologist also may use a lighted endoscope to look for obstructions such as polyps or narrowed areas of the sinuses. While surgery is always a last option, it may be needed to correct structural abnormalities.
Prevention
It really is worth a pound of cure. So, if you're prone to sinus infections:
- Practice diligent hand washing, especially during the cold and flu season.
- Use a saline nasal sprays routinely to keep sinus passages moist and free of debris.
- Keep a clean humidifier running in your home or office.
- Stay well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
- Blow your nose very gently to avoid irritating it and backing mucous up into the sinuses.
Come see us
If you have persistent and recurring sinus symptoms, please call Westside Ear, Nose & Throat in Glendale, AZ. Sinus infections and other problems of the ear, nose, and throat are our business. Phone us at (602) 938-3777.