You had a cold, which led to a blocked nose. But the stuffy nose got relieved as soon as the virus disappeared. However, if you face a persistent problem with blockage, it can be a case of sinus infection. Sinusitis or sinus infection happens due to swollen sinuses that connect with your head’s hollow cavities. Almost everyone faces this infection. However, some can be acute, while others are temporary conditions. Generally, you catch a cold with this, and the disease vanishes with the recovery from inflammation. Some people experience facial pain, runny nose, compromised smell capabilities, coughing, and blockage due to the acuteness of the disease.
Due to chronic conditions, inflamed sinuses trap mucus and become vulnerable to bacterial infection and growth. A chronic sinus infection can result from allergies, deviated septum, or nasal polyps. For a sinus treatment, you must see a reputable ENT. The specialist will investigate your history of asthma, allergy, and allergic rhinitis. Expect the doctor to ask about previous therapies or procedures you may have undergone. At the same time, they will use a unique painless technique to analyze the source of the problem. Allergy tests and CT scans can also be there. Your ENT can recommend different methods to cure your sinus infection based on the test’s findings. Let’s look at some of them quickly.
Sinus surgery
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) can be the standard surgical procedure that uses video and scopes to view your nasal passage and sinus openings for precision. Advanced technologies make this surgery safer. You can opt for this if you have problems like recurrent sinusitis, nasal polyposis, and sinus mucoceles. The doctor will give general anaesthesia for the surgery. The good thing is you can go home on the same day. But follow-up appointments will be essential to track healing.
Septoplasty
Trauma or congenital disabilities can lead to a deviated septum, due to which a person can face issues like nasal congestion and breathing difficulty. The surgery helps straighten or repair the septum. If there is also a problem with an exterior nasal part, the doctor can combine this surgery with FESS, rhinoplasty, or turbinectomy. Again, this is a popular procedure. Some risks involved in this surgery include shape change of the nose, caudal deviations that don’t improve, and more. You can avoid or minimize all the risks by choosing the right ENT. Select accredited specialists with a track record of successful restoration and reconstruction of the septum. It is a one-day surgical process where you have to take general anaesthesia. The downtime can range from one to two weeks. Some patients can notice immediate relief post-surgery.
Remember, these are the two successful methods to treat sinus infections. But getting any of these done by an expert is crucial. Also, not every sinus condition may require surgery. Some bacterial infections can be treatable with antibiotics. In mucus and pus build-up, even nasal irrigation can help. You may rely on pain relievers if you suffer from facial pain and headaches. All these solutions depend on your doctor’s observations and expertise. When you select the best ENT, you can trust their instructions and hope to benefit from their treatment.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and Dav id Cates
