Sinusitis can make life miserable. More than a mere nuisance, the constant nasal pressure, congestion, and frontal headaches can have a major impact on your daily life. Symptoms can interfere with your sleep quality and cut into your productivity at work.
Like a domino effect, the sleep interference and reduced breathing quality can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and frustrated. If you’ve been diagnosed with sinusitis, it’s perfectly normal to want to avoid triggering symptoms.
If you’re struggling with sinusitis symptoms, it’s time to see a specialist. At Southern ENT Associates Associates, our doctors have the experience to find the answers to your sinusitis problems. Here’s what you need to know about this uncomfortable condition.
Chronic vs acute sinusitis
Acute sinusitis is brief, lasting a few weeks and usually is connected to a cold or respiratory illness. Once it clears up, you feel better and move on with your life.
Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, may start with a noticeable trigger like the common cold, but instead of going away once the cold is gone, it lingers. Sinusitis is classified as chronic when it lasts more than 12 weeks or seems to go away only to keep returning.
Seeing a doctor is the best way to get to the bottom of your symptoms and to get treatment.
If you have sinusitis, you’re likely to experience:
- Facial pain
- Facial pressure
- Nasal discharge
- Nasal congestion
- Reduced sense of smell
Sinusitis triggers
Effective treatment involves getting to the root cause of your chronic sinusitis symptoms. A few things are more likely to trigger sinusitis.
Deviated septum
The nasal septum is composed of bone and cartilage that divides the nasal cavity, enabling air to flow freely through each cavity. A septum is referred to as deviated when it is off center. Most people have some deviation in their septum. But when the septum deviates significantly to one side, it can disrupt nasal drainage and chronic sinusitis.
Allergies
Many people have allergies and are completely unaware of it. They may mistake their symptoms for the common cold. Others have poorly controlled allergies or know that they have allergies and choose to suffer through the symptoms instead of seeking treatment.
Allergies tend to cause nasal inflammation, and it’s this inflammation that triggers sinusitis.
Narrow sinuses
Anatomically narrow passages can become blocked and prevent proper drainage, setting the stage for sinusitis. Some people are born with nasal passages that are more narrow than normal. In other cases, nasal passages become narrow due to factors such as nasal infections and allergies.
Common cold
The common cold can lead to a sinus infection and can cause the sinuses to swell and block the drainage channels. You may notice that you still have nasal symptoms long after your cold goes away.
Symptoms of colds, allergies, and sinus infections can overlap. It’s difficult to recognize each condition, making it vital to seek professional help. If you’ve noticed lingering nasal symptoms or symptoms that seem to recur, a thorough evaluation and treatment can help you get answers and relief from symptoms.
For more information and evaluation for sinus symptoms, reach out to our nearest Louisiana office to schedule an appointment with a Southern ENT Associates doctor.