Sinusitis

You know the symptoms of sinusitis — nasal congestion and discharge with pain around your sinuses — but what you won’t know when the infection first appears is how long it might last. Whether you suffer from acute or chronic sinusitis, Richard Herrscher, MD, and Maryam Saifi, MD, at AIR Care are the experts you need to relieve your symptoms and stop chronic sinus problems. Call our office today Dallas 214-373-1773 or Plano 972-473-7544 to schedule an appointment.

Sinusitis Q & A

What causes sinusitis?

Your sinuses are lined with membranes that produce mucus. Then the mucus drains through a small opening into your nose, where it fills important jobs, like keeping your nose moist and filtering dust out of the air you breathe.

When the opening is blocked, mucus accumulates inside the sinus and becomes infected. That’s when you have sinusitis.

Sinusitis is frequently caused by allergies, a viral infection, or enlarged structures in the nasal passageway that block the opening. While possible, it’s not common for a bacterial infection to be the culprit.

An acute case of sinusitis usually heals within four weeks. When inflammation in the sinus persists after the infection heals, and your sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or longer, you have an ongoing condition called chronic sinusitis.

What symptoms develop due to sinusitis?

Nasal congestion, discolored discharge from your nose, and pain or pressure around your sinuses are the classic symptoms of sinusitis.

You may also experience:

Diminished sense of smell
Aching jaw
Postnasal drip
Headache
Cough
Earache
Fatigue

If your sinusitis is caused by a viral infection, you may also have a fever.

How is sinusitis treated?

Your treatment depends on whether you have acute or chronic sinusitis and the underlying cause of your sinus infection. Acute viral infections run their course, so Drs. Herrscher and Saifi may recommend medications to relieve your symptoms. When allergies are responsible for your sinusitis, you may need allergy testing followed by immunotherapy. As your immune system stops reacting to the allergens, your sinusitis improves. Treatment for chronic sinusitis begins with therapies like nasal irrigation and corticosteroids to reduce ongoing inflammation. To get relief from acute or chronic sinusitis, call AIR Care or schedule an appointment online.

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