Battling a sinus infection? These treatments could help you breathe better.
The nasal congestion, the facial pressure, the postnasal drip…dealing with a sinus infection is no fun. If at-home care isn’t providing you with the relief you need, our Chesterfield, MO, ENT doctor Dr. Paul Burk and the team at Ear Nose and Throat Balloon Sinuplasty are experts in helping find the right solutions and strategies to treat your sinus infection and better manage your symptoms.
What causes a sinus infection?
About 37 million Americans will suffer from a bout of sinusitis each year. A blockage of the sinuses can be the result of allergies, the common cold, nasal polyps or a deviated septum. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions or you have a suppressed immune system then you are at a higher risk for developing a sinus infection.
What are the warning signs?
Some of the most common symptoms of acute sinusitis include,
- Facial pain and pressure
- Nasal discharge
- Stuffy nose
- Congestion
- Cough
- Loss of smell
Sometimes fever, bad breath, general malaise and even dental pain can manifest during a sinus infection. If you are experiencing two or more of these symptoms then it’s time you got the sinus infection treatment you need from our Chesterfield, MO, ENT doctor.
How is sinusitis treated?
Most of the time a sinus infection is treated with at-home care and medications. The purpose of these treatments is to reduce facial or nasal pressure and pain, unblock the nasal passages and clear up the infection. Since many forms of acute sinusitis are viral, they do not need antibiotics.
When you come into our office for a proper diagnosis we can determine whether your condition is bacterial or viral. A bacterial infection will need antibiotics to be effectively treated. Otherwise, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and decongestants to reduce pain and swelling, and applying heat to certain areas of the face can help ease symptoms until the infection clears on its own.
For those with more chronic forms of sinusitis that last several weeks, you may need a round of antibiotics for a longer period of time to fight the infection. We may also recommend using a steroid nasal spray to reduce swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages. If chronic sinusitis persists despite non-surgical treatment options then it may be time to consider balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that opens up blocked sinuses to help the patient breathe better.
Don’t let a sinus infection knock you out. Our Chesterfield, MO, ENT doctor Dr. Burk can provide you with effective treatment options when at-home care just isn’t enough. To schedule an appointment, call Ear Nose and Throat Balloon Sinuplasty at (314) 477-4995.