SINUSITIS

WHAT IS SINUSITIS?

The inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is called sinusitis, and may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune disorders. It causes symptoms in the nose, ears, and eyes, and can last for long periods of time if left untreated. Dr. Tamayev will perform the allergy tests that are necessary to determine if your symptoms are related to pollen allergy or allergy to dust mites, mold, or animals. The tests will also help Dr. T determine if you need to see an ear, nose and throat doctor for further evaluation.

Acute Sinusitis can develop as a complication several days after the first symptoms of a viral or bacterial respiratory infection.

Chronic Sinusitis is most often a recurrent inflammatory disorder, but can also be caused by bacterial infection.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

Thick, colored, and/or profuse nasal drainage
Post-nasal drip, often foul-tasting
Congestion
Cough
Toothache
Headache
Facial fullness or swelling
Fatigue
Fever, occasionally

Symptoms of sinusitis can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and the sinuses involved – all of the symptoms listed above may be present, or only a few.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

A viral respiratory disease (a “cold”) is the most common cause of acute sinusitis.

Allergies can also trigger sinusitis. When your sinuses are inflamed, bacteria may be allowed to linger, putting you at an increased risk of developing secondary bacterial sinusitis.

Structural abnormalities in the nose – polyps, tumors, narrow drainage pathways, or a nasal septum deviation – can also cause sinusitis.

TESTING

Sometimes, symptoms of allergies can mimic sinusitis, so Dr. Tamayev may recommend allergy testing to help identify the true cause of your symptoms. This will enable Dr. T to give you the best and most appropriate treatment.

SINUSITIS VS RHINITIS

While many of their symptoms are similar, sinusitis and rhinitis are two different medical problems. Rhinitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes found in the nose – not the sinuses. However, poorly-controlled rhinitis can easily lead to sinusitis.

TREATMENT FOR SINUSITIS

There are several over-the-counter medications and treatments that may help relieve your symptoms. In many cases, these products are sufficient to help you recover from sinusitis or a sinus infection. In severe cases and in cases where a bacterial infection is suspected, Dr. Tamayev may recommend antibiotics.

For patients with structural abnormalities in their sinuses, surgery may be recommended to correct the structural problems and possibly prevent future symptoms. This type of surgery is performed by an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT).

If you are diagnosed with allergies, Dr. Tamayev can recommend medications to control your allergy symptoms, reducing the likelihood that you will develop any future infections. People with allergies or sinus problems should try to avoid airborne irritants like strong chemical vapors and tobacco smoke because they can exacerbate your symptoms.

Patients with sinusitis can have multiple factors that predispose them to infection. In these cases, concentrating on only one factor (just your allergies, for example) may not completely resolve the problem. Treatment options are best discussed on an individual basis.

Sinus infections often are often misdiagnosed as tooth pain, resulting in extractions of back teeth, which are located below the maxillary sinus. A sinus lift is a procedure to augment the bone to lift the sinuses. An alternative option to replace missing back teeth is a zygoma implant which will use the cheekbone to support the dental implant bridge. Often times, the implants can be placed and within the same day the prosthesis can be created as a procedure called Teeth in a Day or Smile in a Day where and immediate load restoration is placed over the dental implants without any bone grafting.

SUMMARY

If you would like us to evaluate your sinusitis, Dr. Tamayev is here to help. Dr. T has the latest treatments and testing, and has pediatric and adult patients from all around the New York City area. Dr. T will also help you find relief for any asthma, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) symptoms, skin conditions, and respiratory allergies. Use the book button below to schedule an appointment today!