Nasal and Sinus Relief

Sinus disorders affect nearly 50 million Americans annually, resulting in loss of productivity and needless suffering from chronic facial pain and pressure, drainage, sore throat and cough, congestion, sinus infections, loss of taste and smell, and bad breath. While some people find relief from over-the-counter medications, many no longer respond to these common remedies.

Sometimes people inherit nasal and sinus problems linked to a common environmental sensitivity or a pre-disposing anatomical facial structure. Exposure to irritants such as pollution, chemicals, and smoke at home, outdoors, and in the workplace also contribute to increased suffering. A variety of factors from sinusitis to nasal fractures and deviated septum can necessitate advanced medical treatment.

What causes sinus problems?

Sinus Problems occur when the openings into the sinus become blocked. This is when symptoms of congestion, coughing, facial pressure, fatigue, and other symptoms take place. Colds or other infections, allergies, or physical obstructions may lead to "sinus shutdown" or blockages in the sinuses. This is usually the result of a swollen sinus lining or damage cilia that can not effectively clear your sinuses of mucus. Stress can also contribute to sinus problems.
Sinusitis is inflammation or infection of any of the four groups of sinus cavities in the skull, which open into the nasal passages. Sinusitis is not the same as rhinitis, although the two may be associated and their symptoms may be similar. The terms "sinus trouble" or "sinus congestion" are sometimes wrongly used to mean congestion of the nasal passage itself. Most cases of nasal congestion, though, are not associated with sinusitis.

How do we treat sinus problems?
Most people with acute sinusitis are treated with antibiotics and decongestants and antihistamines. People with chronic sinusitis are treated the same way but will need long term treatment for maximum effectiveness.

Sinus disease symptoms include:

• Facial pain
• Feeling of fullness
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Persistent bad smell in the nose
• Post-nasal discharge
• Ear fullness
• Headaches

Endosopic sinus surgery is designed for people with chronic sinus problems who do not respond to conservative medical treatment.

What is endoscopic sinus surgery?

• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery differs somewhat from the conventional surgical approach as it stresses a careful diagnostic workup to identify the underlying cause of the problem. This is usually found in the anterior ethmoid area and the area of the openings of the maxillary and frontal sinus. The theory is that the underlying cause of disease in the maxillary, frontal and sphenoid sinuses will often improve spontaneously.
• If you are a candidate for endoscopic surgery...
• Surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia
• Follow-up visit after surgery will be scheduled at one day and seven days post-op to remove packing and monitor healing process
• Additional post-op visits are then scheduled in two to six weeks

Advantages of endoscopic sinus surgery...

• Procedure performed on an outpatient basis without the necessity for nasal packing
• Surgery is less extensive with less removal of normal tissues
• Allows surgeon better visualization by the use of endoscopes during surgery
• Endoscopes allow problems in other sinuses to be viewed directly
• Diseased tissue can easily be removed
• Faster healing and less discomfort