What is sinusitis?

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose, and they can become blocked and inflamed from infections. Often people will experience a viral infection that results in local swelling, and then bacteria can build up in the sinuses and lead to bacterial sinusitis.

Symptoms may include trouble breathing through the nose, congestion, a cold that just won’t go away, reduced sense of smell, nasal drainage, discolored mucus and pressure or discomfort in the middle of the face or nose. Sinusitis is very common, affecting around one out of every eight adults annually.

How can I treat sinusitis?

Sometimes the troublesome sinus symptoms go away on their own because the human body often fights off infection very well. There are many treatments to help with symptoms while your body fights the infection, such as saline rinse to clear away the mucus and infectious particles, medicines to thin the mucus and sprays to reduce the inflammation. Sometimes the body is not appropriately overcoming the infection, and people might need antibiotics, steroids or combinations of medicines to get better. Antibiotics do not help in treating viral infections, so they are only used when a bacterial infection is suspected.

What other treatments are available?

Most people with acute sinusitis will feel better as their bodies overcome the infection or with help from medications. Sometimes surgery is needed, particularly if the infection and inflammation are occurring frequently or lasting a long time. A CT scan of the sinus is often obtained to understand each person’s unique sinus anatomy.

Procedures can be performed in the office to open the sinuses and relieve infection with only topical anesthetics and relaxing medication. This is known as balloon sinus ostial dilation (“balloon sinuplasty”) and is a comfortable and convenient option with limited down time.

Patients may also have minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia. Specialized instruments are used to open the sinuses, relieve infection, and help people to breathe better.

Contact Dr. Feinstein’s Tarzana office if you or your loved one is suffering from sinus disease.