The Ins and Outs of Sinus Management
Our sinuses are prone to act up from time to time, whether because of seasonal allergies, temperature changes, or irritants in the air. Some common tells are headaches and facial pressure. As most people find out, sinus symptoms can take weeks to clear and add unnecessary challenges to daily life. While there isn’t a pill that immediately makes you feel better, there are things you can do to relieve your sinuses faster and act as preventative measures for the future. This ongoing care is called sinus management.
What Causes These Nasal Problems?
It’s not always readily apparent if a couple of sneezes are sinus-related or just happened because of airborne irritants like pollen and other allergens. But when it frequently happens alongside unusual congestion and pressure, you might be experiencing some form of sinusitis. In this case, you should find a suitable ENT (ear nose and throat) specialist and get diagnosed. Even if it turns out to be nothing, an expert of the Charleston Sinus Center will tell you what to look for and give you tips on how to best prevent it.
Our physicians and providers commonly see patients experiencing nasal issues caused by a few different conditions:
When these potential causes become reality, it’s time to begin taking steps toward sinus management.
At-Home Care
While these are not replacements for medical care, there are homeopathic treatments that can bring short-term relief, like rinsing the nasal passages with saline. This helps loosen mucus and temporarily relieve congestion. For pressure in the sinuses, a warm compress might bring relief. For sinus problems that are brought on by allergies, patients can look into air purifiers, weekly bedding changes, showering after exposure to outdoor allergens, and staying hydrated. For over-the-counter options, look for antihistamines and intranasal steroids (after consulting your ENT).
When Symptoms Don’t Improve on Their Own
While at-home remedies may provide momentary relief, there are procedures with results that last for years. There are many options, including medical, surgical, and minimally invasive. To start off, we often prescribe extended courses of antibiotics or nasal sprays. Allergy testing often provides additional information and can lead to improvement through knowing what to avoid, or to a course of allergy shots to decrease the response to allergy triggers.
When these aren’t enough for an individual’s needs, our experts might recommend balloon sinuplasty, which is a minimally-invasive procedure. It starts with a consultation, in which one of our sinus experts diagnoses the sinus problem and helps the patient find suitable treatments for their unique requirements. The procedure begins with the application of a local anesthesia. Unlike general anesthesia, patients remain awake and only the treatment area is numb. Of course, patients can also request general anesthesia.
Once ready, a thin deflated balloon is routed through the patient’s nostril and into the sinus passageway. The balloon is slowly inflated to dilate the sinus. Then, it’s deflated and removed. Most patients prefer balloon sinuplasty because the local anesthesia allows it to be a relatively painless procedure, although there may be some noticeable nasal pressure. The choice of local anesthesia also means that patients can leave the office sooner, following the procedure. With general anesthesia, the patient must be picked up after the procedure, and cannot drive for 24 hours.
A Personalized Sinus Approach
Sinus problems aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are the solutions. What entirely works for one patient may only provide partial relief to another, which is why professional guidance can make a tremendous difference. With an ENT specialist like the ones found at The Charleston Sinus Center, your personal needs will be respected, and the right solution will be found for specifically you. If sinus symptoms are interfering with your daily life or are returning time and again, consider a consultation at The Charleston Sinus Center. One can be scheduled by calling the office at 843-863-1188.