Your nose and your sinuses can be affected by a wide variety of different conditions. Many problems causing sinus trouble don’t cause you to experience major issues. However, when you have something more serious beyond a cold or a sniffle, your quality of life could be affected. Sinus and nose problems are one of the leading reasons for sick days causing missed work, so it you are experiencing problems it may be time to visit an ear, nose and throat specialist for medical advice.
We can provide you with treatment for nose injuries, painful sinuses, hay fever, and other conditions that necessitate surgical intervention. Some of the most common nose conditions that we can help you to treat are listed below, and you can click on the links of each medical issue to learn more about the specifics of the problem and solutions for treatment.
Your sinuses are actually comprised of four small spaces located in your cheeks and in your forehead. These four small spaces are filled with air, and they should be healthy and clear Sometimes, however, the sinuses can become blocked. This leads to a stuffy feeling. When your sinuses are stuffy, this is not a medical condition in-and-of-itself but instead it is a symptom of another medical problems. Some of the possible problems that you could be experiencing that are causing your stuffy feeling include:
Sinusitis is an infection, which can be either acute or chronic.
Acute sinusitis typically appears suddenly, usually after you have had a cold or had the flu. Symptoms can include pain in the area around the sinuses, a runny nose, and sometimes a toothache. The symptoms typically go away after several days, and no treatment is necessary. Antibiotics can help the infection to run its course more quickly in many cases if you are uncomfortable.
Chronic sinusitis can be a more serious problem, which often- but not always- develops after acute sinusitis. While the symptoms are similar to acute sinusitis, you may also experience a lost sense of smell in addition to a runny nose and painful sinus area. Mucus buildup, inflammation, recurring infections, allergies, or blocked passages preventing drainage from the sinuses are all possible reasons for chronic sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis is typically going to require treatment. Your options could include a minor surgery to unblock clogged passages, or prescription antibiotics. Our ear, nose and throat specialist can detect treatment options, conduct allergy tests and x-rays to look for a blockage, and can run a test to check for infection. Once we’ve discovered what you are dealing with, we can recommend the best treatment option.
Rhinitis is nasal inflammation, which generally causes symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, a lost sense of smell, and pain. Rhinitis can be allergic or non-allergic.
Allergic rhinitis is very common, and usually results from hay fever (a pollen allergy), allergy to pets, or other allergic reaction. Your symptoms may come and go over the course of the year as you are exposed to different allergens, and our ear nose & throat specialists can usually diagnose you easily by discussing your symptoms and analyzing the inside of your nose. A skin prick test, or other allergy test, may be recommended. The skin prick test takes only 20 minutes, and involves exposure to a small amount of the suspected allergen. An itchy and red reaction means you are allergic.
Treatments for allergic rhinitis depends upon the specific cause of symptoms, and usually includes over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, or corticosteroid nasal inhalers. We’ll help you to decide what course of action is best.
Non-allergic rhinitis has many different causes, including hormonal or chemical imbalances, viral infections, smoking, alcohol use, or eating hot or cold foods. Treatment can involve regular rinsing of the nasal passages, a nasal inhaler, or over-the-counter decongestants. Our ear nose and throat specialists can prescribe an inhaler or provide other treatment as necessary.
Nose bleeds are common, especially among kids. They can be caused by colds, hay fever, allergies, injuries, and picking the nose. Home treatment is usually sufficient and involves sitting with the head bent forward, pinching the tip of the nose to close the nostrils, and breathing through the mouth. You can apply a cold pack to the nose, and avoid picking or blowing the nose.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop after about a half-hour, it is a good idea to get medical treatment. If you have recurrent nose bleeds, you should also think about seeing an ear, nose, and throat specialist for advice on the cause and treatment options.
Rhinoplasty is not just cosmetic. You may need surgery on the nose due to injuries, birth defects, untreated breaks, foreign objects in the nose or sinuses, chronic sinus problems, or nasal polyps.
Ear, nose and throat specialists can perform treatments to address these medical conditions, or to approve your nose’s appearance by making it smaller or straighter. Talk to our ear, nose & throat specialists to learn about your options.
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