Surgical Treatment & Medical Management of ENT Disorders
Surgical Treatment & Medical Management of ENT Disorders
About 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of sinusitis each year. People who have the following conditions have a higher risk of sinusitis:
Nasal mucous membrane swelling
Blockage of drainage ducts
Structural differences that narrow the drainage ducts
Nasal polyps
Conditions that result in an increased risk of infection such as immune deficiencies or taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Most sinus infections are caused by a virus while bacteria sinusitis infections are rare. Other causes of sinusitis include:
Allergies
Pollutants (airborne chemicals or irritants)
Fungal infections
Structural problems within the nasal cavity
A weak immune system
Acute Sinusitis
Some of the primary symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
Facial pain/pressure
Nasal stuffiness
Nasal discharge
Loss of smell
Cough/congestion
Additional symptoms may include:
fever, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain
Acute Sinusitis Treatment
Chronic Sinusitis
People with chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms for 8 weeks or more:
Facial congestion/fullness
A nasal obstruction/blockage
Pus in the nasal cavity
Fever
Nasal discharge/discolored postnasal drainage
Additional symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include:
headaches, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain
Chronic Sinusitis Treatment
Other Treatment Options for Sinusitis
Addressing potential triggers or contributing factors is a key first step in the management of sinusitis. An antihistamine may be recommended for the treatment of allergies. Antifungal medicine may be prescribed for a fungal sinus infection. Immunoglobulin (antibodies) may be given if you have certain immune deficiencies.
Many people with chronic sinus problems are able to manage their conditions with the help of their Accent ENT specialist without having to undergo surgery.
If antibiotics and other medicines are not effective in opening the sinus, surgery may be necessary. Also, if there is a structural abnormality of the sinus such as nasal polyps, which can obstruct sinus drainage, surgery may be needed.
Even if your sinus condition requires surgery, Dr. Kerr possesses extensive experience in numerous minimally invasive procedures.
Minimally invasive procedures are not only more cost effective and less risky, they’re typically outpatient procedures, which save on both time and costs.
And not only do specialists at Accent ENT help address medical conditions of the nose, the Accent family of physicians can also help address cosmetic issues of the nose as well.
Whether you’re looking for basic treatment like prick testing or allergy shots, or have severe sinusitis that may require surgery, we invite you contact Gainesville sinus specialists at Accent ENT today to schedule an appointment.