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Posts for tag: Sinus Infection

By Century Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery
November 10, 2022
Category: ENT Conditions
Tags: Sinus Infection  

Sinus infections are a common problem. In fact, over 12% of people in this country suffer from chronic sinus infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC. Fortunately, your ENT specialist can help you get relief from sinus infections, so you can breathe easier again.

Sinus infections can be caused by exposure to a bacteria, a fungus, or to an allergen. They can also develop after having the flu, a cold, or other virus.

Sinus infection symptoms can make you miserable. When you have a sinus infection, you may experience:

  • A fever
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Severe headaches
  • Difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Pain and pressure around and behind your eyes

For occasional sinus infections, your ENT specialist may recommend:

  • Antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection
  • Prescription-strength decongestants to open your sinuses
  • Palliative medications and treatments to help you feel better

For chronic, moderate to severe sinus infections, your ENT specialist may recommend a procedure known as balloon sinuplasty. This procedure has many important advantages when compared to traditional sinus surgery.

Consider that balloon sinuplasty treatment:

  • Is minimally invasive and requires no incisions or sutures
  • Does not result in scarring or scar tissue
  • Is less likely to cause infection because there is no cutting
  • Causes far less discomfort than conventional sinus surgery
  • Requires little or no downtime because there is very little bruising and swelling
  • Is performed on an outpatient basis so there is no hospital stay

Balloon sinuplasty treatment is performed under general anesthesia. An ultrathin catheter is inserted into your nostril and guided up into your sinuses. The catheter has a small balloon attached at the end.

When the catheter reaches the sinus blockage, the balloon is inflated. The blockage is eliminated, congestion is relieved, and you can breathe freely again. The balloon is then deflated, and the catheter is removed.

You can get relief from sinus infections. Your ENT specialist has the answers and treatments you need to be able to breathe freely and easily. To find out more about sinus infections and how your ENT specialist can help you get relief, call your ENT specialist today.

By Century Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery
September 08, 2022
Category: ENT Conditions
Tags: Sinus Infection  

A sinus infection is an issue that occurs when either a virus or bacterium infects the sinuses. The sinuses then become inflamed -- referred to as sinusitis. While it rarely causes complications, it can linger for quite some time. And for some people, sinusitis is a chronic issue. At Century Ear, Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, serving Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and Lemont, IL, and the neighboring regions, our practitioners can help.

General Information

A sinus infection occurs when you have mucus that builds up inside of your sinuses. As a result, germs may grow and breed there and cause a sinus infection. Most of the time, a sinus infection is viral and may stem from a cold or flu virus. On the other hand, it can also be bacterial.

You're more likely to suffer from a sinus infection if you have seasonal allergies or are immunocompromised. Keep in mind that certain medications can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to these infections.

Typically, a sinus infection will last between seven to 10 days. For some of our Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and Lemont, IL, patients, the infection lasts much longer or may recur.

Signs of a Sinus Infection

The most common symptom of a sinus infection is a runny or stuffy nose. The mucus from an infection is usually yellowish or green. It's thicker than the standard mucus you produce when you don't have a sinus infection.

You may also experience a headache or facial pain or pressure. Coughing and sore throat are also possible.

Fever is another sign of a sinus infection.

Treatment for a Sinus Infection

The treatment that our practitioner will prescribe depends on the underlying cause of your sinus infection. For instance, if you have a bacterial infection, a doctor from our practice will prescribe an antibiotic. There isn't a cure for a viral infection, but we can provide you with comfort measures.

Patients who are experiencing recurring sinus infections may need to get to the root of the problem. The same applies if you've had a sinus infection that's lasted for three months or longer.

Your treatment may include better management of your allergy symptoms. Sometimes, surgery is necessary, but we make that a last resort. And it's only beneficial for some patients. We limit surgical procedures to those with nasal or sinus polyps and those with an abnormal sinus structure.

You don't have to suffer from a sinus infection when one of our Oak Lawn, Orland Park, and Lemont, IL, doctors can help, whether it's chronic or acute.

Contact us today for an appointment by calling Century Ear, Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery at (708) 460-0007.

By Century Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery
July 13, 2022
Category: ENT Conditions
Tags: Sinus Infection  

Sinus infections are associated with a diverse range of uncomfortable symptoms, including nasal congestion and sinus pressure. When dealing with a sinus infection, the symptoms can make it difficult to get through the day but there are treatments that can help. The experienced and caring ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors at Century Ear, Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery in Orland Park and Lemont, IL, treat sinus infections and can help you experience relief from sinus symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Sinus Infections

Sinus infections are often caused by a virus, but can also be due to a bacterial infection. When the sinuses become infected, the lining of the sinus pathways becomes swollen and inflamed. The inflammation blocks the sinuses so they cannot easily drain, which leads to a build up of mucus.

Blocked sinus pathways that cannot properly drain can cause various symptoms to develop. Some signs you have a sinus infection include:

  • Sinus pressure
  • Nasal congestion
  • Pain or pressure around the cheeks, nose and eyes
  • Pain or pressure around the forehead or back of head
  • Throat irritation, hoarseness or cough
  • Runny nose or postnasal drip
  • Diminished sense of smell
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Fever

Treatments for Sinus Infections

It is possible for a sinus infection to resolve itself without prescription medication, but it is best to see an ENT doctor in case antibiotics are needed. There are several methods that can be used at home to provide relief from symptoms. A warm compress can be placed over the nose and forehead to alleviate sinus pressure. Methods for clearing up congestion and a stuffy nose include using a nasal spray, decongestant, or breathing in the steam from a hot shower. Over-the-counter medications for pain relief can also be helpful.

The skilled ENT providers at our practices in Orland Park and Lemont, IL, treat sinus infections using several different methods and can develop an individualized plan tailored to your symptoms and needs. Treatments include:

  • Antibiotic medication
  • Decongestant medication
  • Oral antihistamine medication
  • Nasal corticosteroid spray
  • Nasal saline rinse
  • Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minor outpatient procedure that provides long lasting relief from chronic sinus problems. The procedure is performed by gently inserting a balloon catheter through the nostrils and into the blocked sinus passages. Inflating the balloon side the sinus cavities helps open them up. A saline solution is used to flush out any mucus build up. Then the balloon is deflated and removed. Afterward, the sinuses remain open as they are able to drain properly again.

If you have signs of a sinus infection, we can help. Our ENT doctors can develop an effective treatment plan just for you. For the treatment of a sinus infection in Orland Park and Lemont, IL, schedule an appointment with one of our skilled providers by calling Century Ear, Nose & Throat, Head & Neck Surgery at (708) 460-0007.

By Century Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery
April 06, 2022
Category: ENT Conditions
Tags: Sinus Infection  

Dealing with a sinus infection? Dealing with them rather frequently? Feel like you’re constantly battling a sinus infection? If so, an ENT doctor can provide you with the appropriate treatment options, regardless of whether you are dealing with an acute or chronic infection. Here’s what you should know about treating your sinus infection,

You May Be Able to Treat it Yourself

If you are dealing with acute sinusitis you may be able to manage your symptoms on your own with saline nasal sprays, over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants. If your sinus infection is due to allergies, you may be able to make simple lifestyle changes that can improve your allergies, which in turn can improve your infection. Other at-home sinusitis treatment options include,

  • Drinking lots of water to flush out toxins
  • Using a humidifier in your bedroom
  • Applying warm compresses to the face
  • Using a neti pot to flush out bacteria and germs from the sinuses
  • Getting lots of rest
  • Stocking up on vitamin C
So, when is it time to turn to an ENT expert for your sinus problems? It’s time to turn to a specialist if,
  • You aren’t sure if your symptoms are due to a sinus infection or something else
  • Your symptoms are accompanied by a fever that lasts more than 3 days
  • Your symptoms persist for more than 10 days
  • Your symptoms are getting worse
  • Your symptoms return
There isn’t a Single Way to Treat Sinus Infections

First and foremost, we need to determine what’s causing your infection and whether you’re dealing with an acute or chronic case. Acute cases may be treated with prescription-strength steroid and nasal sprays or oral allergy medications, while chronic sinusitis may require more intensive treatments. Chronic sinus infections may be caused by nasal polyps, a deviated septum or allergies, and it’s important to figure out the cause before we create a treatment plan. Chronic sinusitis is often treated with,
  • Nasal, oral or injectable corticosteroids
  • Medications used to shrink nasal polyps
  • Immunotherapy (aka allergy shots)
  • Balloon sinuplasty, a procedure that opens up blocked sinuses (an alternative to sinus surgery)
  • Sinus surgery
If you are dealing with a sinus infection that isn’t getting better and isn’t responding to at-home care then a call to your ENT doctor may be the best approach. An ENT doctor can determine the best strategies for managing and treating any sinus problems.