Do You Need An ENT Doctor For Sinusitis? Sinusitis is a swelling or an inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses. Initially, these hollow spaces have air fillings. However, when fluid fills sinuses, it causes the growth of germs and infection. Para-nasal sinuses and the nose share the same membrane lining of mucus. The slimy secretion that this membrane produces helps the nasal passage by trapping germs and dirt particles. Sinusitis is a result of the blockage of sinuses due to excessive buildup of mucus.
The following conditions can cause Sinusitis:
- Allergic rhinitis
- The common cold
- A deviated septum
- Nasal polyps (growth of abnormal growth in the lining of the nose)
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Types Of Sinusitis
You can classify Sinusitis in the following main types depending upon its severity:
Acute Sinusitis
If you are feeling pressure on your cheekbones, the head, or near your eyes accompanied by a stuffy nose, you may have acute Sinusitis. In this condition, you may suffer from inflammation of the membrane that surrounds your sinuses and lines your nose. Sinusitis slows down your ability to drain mucus from your sinuses and the nose.
The reason for acute Sinusitis is the common cold that leads to a viral infection. This may also occur without any infection.
Chronic Sinusitis
When you feel spaces inside your head and your nose remains inflamed and swollen for longer than three months, you may have chronic Sinusitis. In this condition, your mucus doesn’t drain out, and your nose stuffs up, causing difficulty in breathing. You may also feel tenderness and swelling around your eyes.
Symptoms Of Sinusitis
The symptoms of Sinusitis depend on how old, and severe infection is:
Pain in your sinuses
If you are suffering from Sinusitis, you may feel pain. Having a sinus infection can cause sinuses pain below and above your eyes. This may also affect your nose. Your sinuses may ache with a dull pressure due to inflammation and swelling. The pain may be in your forehead, upper jaw, teeth, either side of the nose, or between your eyes.
Nasal discharge
Having a sinus infection may cause you to blow your nose frequently due to thick and discolored discharge building up fast. This discharge drains from your nasal passage coming through infected sinuses. Your throat may also drain the discharge after bypassing your nose. You may feel soreness, itchiness, and tickle in your throat.
Nasal congestion
This condition can also affect the way you breathe as a result of the blocked nose. Your nasal passages and sinuses start to swell due to infection. Nasal congestion may also affect your ability to taste and smell, usually making your voice sound stuffy.
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Sinus headaches
You may also feel a headache when your sinuses swell and create pressure. In addition to that, you will feel pain in areas such as your jaw, cheeks, ears, teeth, and eyes. As the fluid collects throughout the night, you are likely to feel the worst headache in the morning. This condition may worsen further when the barometric pressure changes suddenly.
Throat irritation and cough
You may feel throat irritation as the discharge from your sinuses flows down your throat. You may start coughing, mainly when you lie down or when you wake up in the morning. It may be hard for you to sleep. However, elevating your head while sleeping can lower the intensity and frequency of coughing.
Sore throat and hoarse voice
You may feel aching and raw throat, which can be a result of postnasal drip. This starts with an annoying tickle, and later on, it gets worse. After a few weeks of infection, your mucus will begin to irritate in your throat and result in a hoarse voice and sore throat.
Other symptoms of Sinusitis may include:
- Tenderness, swell, and pain around your nose, cheeks, eyes, and forehead
- Nasal inflammation
- Reduction in the sense of taste and smell
- Fever and tiredness
- Pain in the ear, aching in your teeth, and upper jaw
- Headache and fatigue
Do You Need An ENT Doctor For Sinusitis?
If you feel any of the symptoms for more than 12 weeks, you should immediately contact a doctor. Dr. Michael Burnett is an expert in treating Sinusitis and similar conditions. To book an appointment with an ENT specialist, call us at 212-867-4813.
