If you have ever had a sinus infection, you are not alone. Did you know that over 12% of people in this country suffer from chronic sinus infections? It’s true, according to the Centers for Disease Control or CDC. Your ENT specialist can help you get relief from the pressure and pain of a sinus infection. Dr. Ravi Agarwal and Dr. Daniel Bos at Westside Ear, Nose & Throat in Glendale, AZ, provides comprehensive ENT services, including diagnosis and treatment of sinus infections.
What You Need to Know about Sinus Infections
There are many underlying conditions which can lead to a sinus infection. You may develop a sinus infection from:
- Exposure to bacteria
- Exposure to a fungus
- Exposure to a virus
- Exposure to an allergen
When you have a sinus infection, you may experience signs and symptoms which can be severe, including:
- A fever
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Headaches which can be severe
- Problems breathing through your nose
- Pressure and pain around and behind your eyes
When you have a sinus infection, you need treatment from your ENT specialist. For occasional sinus infections, your ENT specialist may recommend:
- Antibiotics to kill the underlying bacteria
- Prescription-strength decongestants to open your sinuses
- Palliative medications and treatments to help you feel better
If you are experiencing chronic, moderate to severe sinus infections, your ENT specialist may recommend a procedure known as balloon sinuplasty to provide permanent relief. When you choose balloon sinuplasty, you can be assured the procedure:
- Is minimally invasive and requires no incisions or sutures
- Does not result in scarring or scar tissue
- Is less likely to cause infection because there is no cutting
- Causes far less discomfort than conventional sinus surgery
- Requires little or no downtime because there is very little bruising and swelling
- Is performed on an outpatient basis so there is no hospital stay
Balloon sinuplasty treatment is performed under general anesthesia, using an ultrathin catheter. The catheter is inserted into your nostril and guided up into your sinuses. The catheter has a small balloon attached to one end.
When the catheter reaches the blocked area, the balloon is inflated, and the blocked area is opened. The balloon is deflated, and the catheter is removed. After the procedure, your congestion is relieved, so you can breathe easily again.
Want to Know More?
To find out more about the causes and treatment of sinus infections, call Dr. Ravi Agarwal and Dr. Daniel Bos of Westside Ear, Nose & Throat in Glendale, AZ. You can reach him in the office by calling (602) 938-3777, so call today.