Chronic sinusitis (infections lasting 12 weeks or longer) affects approximately 14.6% of the U.S. population. If you’re living with the constant stuffy nose, facial pain and sometimes fever that accompany chronic sinusitis, it’s essential to understand your treatment options.
Let’s look at two standard treatment options to restore comfort and prevent future sinus infections.
Medication
Medications for chronic sinus infections focus on alleviating inflammation. Common examples include allergy, cold and flu medications. They may be available as pills, syrups or nasal sprays. Over-the-counter medication can often ease symptoms, but severe cases may require prescription options. Cold and flu medications are great for viral sinus infections, which typically arise after a bad cold.
Antibiotics are another potential treatment for bacterial sinus infections. Bacterial infections account for most cases of chronic sinusitis.
Surgery
Surgery sounds like a scary word, but it’s more of a catch-all term for minimally invasive sinus procedures. Two popular options include:
- Functional nasal endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). During FESS, your sinus specialist will guide a thin tube and tiny surgical tools through the nostrils to clear blockages in the sinuses. The procedure requires no outside incisions, so recovery is faster than typical surgeries. Before the procedure, your specialist will give you general anesthesia to put you to sleep. Full recovery can take a few months, but you should be able to return to school or work in about a week and resume your normal routine in about two weeks.
- Balloon Sinuplasty. Balloon Sinuplasty doesn’t require tissue or cartilage removal. Instead, your specialist will guide a small balloon through the nostrils and gently inflate it to clear blockages. The procedure uses a topical decongestant and local anesthetic, so you will remain awake for the procedure. Though not as common, some Balloon Sinuplasties require general anesthesia. You will need to rest at home for one to two days and avoid strenuous activities for about a week following the procedure.
In some cases, sinus specialists will combine FESS and Balloon Sinuplasty. Your specialist will walk you through your options in detail to help you pick the right treatment.
If you’re ready to enjoy the smell of hay and pumpkins at the Hilger Family Farm this autumn, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to schedule your sinus appointment today.