Sinusitis Q & A
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis refers to inflammation and swelling in your sinus cavity, which is the hollow space around your nose, eyes, and forehead. The swelling and inflammation affect the drainage of mucus, which may impair your ability to breath through your nose.
Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Pain and tenderness around the eyes and nose
- Headaches
- Nasal congestion
- Discolored nasal drainage
- Postnasal drip
- Change in sense of smell or taste
Sinusitis can be acute (lasting up to four weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks). You can also develop recurrent acute sinusitis (four or more acute sinus infections in a year).
Whether your sinusitis is acute, chronic, or recurrent, Dr. Shawl can provide the most appropriate care to relieve your symptoms.
What causes sinusitis?
Sinusitis can develop from many causes. The most common include:
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Polyps
- Deviated nasal septum
- Respiratory tract infection
- Allergies
Sinusitis can also develop from an underlying chronic health condition, such as cystic fibrosis or HIV. Identifying the cause of your sinusitis is essential for determining the most appropriate treatment.
What can I expect during an evaluation for sinusitis?
Dr. Shawl is a courteous and dedicated otolaryngologist, and you can expect comprehensive and attentive care when you come in for a sinusitis evaluation. He takes the time needed to listen to your health concerns so he can develop a treatment plan that helps you get the relief you need.
During the evaluation, he reviews your symptoms and medical history and evaluates your nose and face, which may include an examination of your nasal cavity with a thin flexible fiber-optic light he inserts in your nose. He may also recommend diagnostic tests to further evaluate your sinus cavity, such as an X-ray or MRI.
What are the treatments for sinusitis?
Dr. Shawl develops a personalized treatment plan for the management of your sinusitis based on the underlying cause. Treatment may include:
- Nasal sprays
- Corticosteroids
- Nasal irrigation
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections
If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative measures, Dr. Shawl may recommend surgery to widen the passageway between your sinus cavity and nose to improve mucus drainage.
Sinusitis can cause symptoms that affect your quality of life. For a comprehensive treatment plan from an experienced otolaryngologist and surgeon, contact Matthew W. Shawl, MD, by phone or online today.
