Am I Suffering From Chronic Sinus Infections and Sinusitis?
A sinus infection occurs when a foreign substance (bacteria, viruses, etc.) enters the mucus and air filled pockets in our face called the nasal cavities. Normally, the mucus in the nose captures foreign substances and then drains them out of the nasal passages. When the nasal cavities or passages become irritated, they can swell, which makes it difficult for mucus to drain. This gives the foreign materials a chance to multiply, making you sick and causing painful symptoms.
A normal sinus infection can resolve itself after a few days. However, if you are susceptible to swelling in the nasal passages or have narrow sinuses for any reason, you can suffer from chronic sinusitis.
At West Palm Breathe Free, we use minimally invasive, in-office procedures to support long-term sinus relief for patients with ongoing symptoms.
What Causes Chronic Sinus Infections and Sinusitis?
Narrow or chronically swollen sinuses may be the true root cause of your chronic sinus infections, but what are some reasons the sinuses may be swollen?
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Hay Fever
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- And More
As mentioned before, you may also be suffering from a narrow sinus passage. Some reasons for this include:
- Deviated Septum
- Nasal Polyps
- Nose Injury or Deformity
Common Sinus Infection and Sinusitis Symptoms
Everyone’s symptoms are unique and, at West Palm Breathe Free, we can diagnose the true root cause of your issues. However, there are some common symptoms to look for that include:
- Congestion
- Stuffy Nose
- Loss of Smell or Taste
- Discolored Nasal Discharge
- Nasal Drip
- Facial Pain/Pressure
- Tooth Pain
- Cough
- Sore Throat
Sinus Pain Treatment Options At West Palm Breathe Free
Natural Home Remedies
If you only suffer from one or two mild sinus infections each year, home remedies may be the best option for you. Most natural home remedies focus on reducing swelling to relieve sinus pressure and bring back natural mucus drainage. Once natural mucus drainage returns, the body can begin healing itself. Some at-home remedies include:
- Hydration
- Steam/Mist
- Sinus Rinse (Neti Pot)
Medication
Over-the-counter medication and antibiotics are sometimes combined with home remedies to help the body heal quicker. Again, if you are only suffering from mild infections once or twice a year medication can be a good choice. However, if your sinus infections are chronically occurring it may be time to visit West Palm Breathe Free for a better solution. Some medications that can treat sinus pain include:
- Antibiotics
- Decongestants
- Corticosteroids
Traditional Sinus Surgery
When home remedies and medication aren’t getting rid of your sinus pain for more than a few days at a time, you may be suffering from chronic sinusitis. Often, there is an underlying cause of chronic sinusitis that can be treated using traditional sinus surgery. Traditional sinus surgery may involve the removal of tissue or bone and can require a longer recovery. Today, less invasive options like Balloon Sinuplasty are now available — offering effective symptom relief with less downtime.
Balloon Sinuplasty: The Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery Alternative
If you are looking for along-term sinus pain treatment and want to avoid the costs and risks of traditional surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty may be an option for you. Since its FDA approval in 2005, Balloon Sinuplasty has helped many patients experience pain relief with a gentler recovery compared to traditional surgery.
I Want To Know More About Balloon SinuplastyDon’t Settle for Persistent Sinus Pain.
Let’s explore treatment options that can help you breathe freely and feel like yourself again.
Our board-certified team is well equipped and trained to handle any type of sinus issue. Schedule with us today to get a unique treatment plan that will get you the long-term sinus pain relief that you deserve.
