Up to 35 million Americans suffer from sinusitis each year. If you’re tired of living with facial pressure, fatigue, and postnasal drip, it’s crucial that you seek treatment. At Michigan Avenue Primary Care, the primary care and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists have years of experience diagnosing and treating sinusitis. Call the office in The Loop in Chicago, Illinois, or book online today to make an appointment.
Sinusitis is the swelling of the soft tissues that line your sinuses –– four spaces inside your head that produce mucus. When your sinuses are healthy, they’re filled with air. But if an infection develops or you contact an allergen, the sinuses can become clogged and fill with fluid.
Sinusitis usually responds to conservative treatment, like rest and over-the-counter medication. If your symptoms continue or worsen, seek treatment as soon as possible.
The symptoms of sinusitis include:
If your sinusitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, you might also have a fever.
Sinusitis occurs for various reasons, including:
Your lifestyle can also increase your risk of sinusitis. For example, people who smoke are more likely to have sinus infections.
Michigan Avenue Primary Care diagnoses sinusitis during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and whether at-home treatment helps. Next, your provider does a physical exam. They check your ears, nose, and throat for drainage, swelling, or blockages. They also shine an endoscope (lighted camera) into your nostril.
Treatment of sinusitis depends on several things, including your age, medical history, and what’s causing your symptoms. Your Michigan Avenue Primary Care provider might recommend:
If medication and lifestyle changes don’t provide lasting relief, your provider might recommend surgery. During sinus surgery, your provider corrects structural problems with your sinuses.
There’s no way to prevent sinusitis entirely, but you can lower your risk. Michigan Avenue Primary Care recommends avoiding things you’re allergic to, staying away from sick people, and washing your hands frequently with warm soap and water.
To explore the different treatments for sinusitis, make an appointment at Michigan Avenue Primary Care by calling the office or booking online today.