Also known as sinusitis, sinus infections can quickly take a toll on one’s quality of life. Common symptoms like congestion, sinus swelling, headaches, and fatigue can be painful and uncomfortable to deal with, making it difficult to accomplish daily tasks. Aside from the physical toll, it can impact your mental well-being. At San Antonio Breathe Free, we are committed to offering treatment options tailored to your needs, so you can breathe easier and better manage your sinus symptoms.
SINUS INFECTION TREATMENTS IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Don’t Let Sinus Infections Control Your Life
WHAT CAUSES SINUSITIS?
Behind the cheeks, eyes, and forehead are hollow, air-filled spaces called sinuses. The sinuses naturally produce a liquid called mucus, responsible for humidifying the air we breathe. A viral or bacterial infection in the sinuses is called sinusitis. Allergies, the common cold, or influenza can lead to sinusitis.
In some cases, untreated sinus infections may contribute to additional complications, which is why evaluation by a specialist is important. An ENT specialist can help provide a proper diagnosis and appropriate course of action to treat your symptoms and address the infection at its root cause. If you find yourself suffering from any sinusitis symptoms, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with your care provider.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SINUSITIS?
A sinus infection can manifest as a variety of symptoms and they can vary from one patient to another. The infection impacts the nose, sinuses, and throat and each affected area can have differing symptoms. Here are common sinusitis symptoms to look out for:
- Nasal Congestion: An infection in the sinuses causes swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages. This prevents proper mucus drainage leading to a stuffy nose, making it difficult to breathe.
- Postnasal Drip: Postnasal drip is mucus dripping down from the back of the nose and into the throat.
- Nasal Discharge: Thick yellow or green mucus discharge is common for sinusitis patients.
- Swelling: Sinusitis can cause painful swelling around the top of the nose and between the eyes.
- Facial Pain and Pressure: Sinus infections can cause painful swelling and pressure around the eyes, nose, jaw, and teeth. Headaches are also common.
- Fatigue: Sinusitis symptoms can make it difficult to sleep, often leading to a lack of sleep and daytime fatigue. This can further impair one’s ability to accomplish simple daily tasks.
- Other Symptoms: Sinusitis patients may notice other symptoms like coughing, low-grade fever, or chronic bad breath.
Sinusitis patients will experience varying degrees of symptoms. Consulting with an expert can help ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan designed to help manage your symptoms.
Our team at San Antonio Breathe Free provides personalized treatment plans designed to help you breathe easier and feel more comfortable every day.
LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR SINUSITIS SYMPTOMS
Good news for sinusitis patients: there are plenty of ways they can manage their symptoms including:
- Decongestants: These help reduce the swelling and inflammation of the sinus linings.
- Nasal Irrigation: A tried and tested home remedy option, nasal irrigation breaks down mucus buildup and clears out nasal blockages.
- Nasal and Systemic Steroids: This type of medication can reduce chronic inflammation caused by the infection.
- Mucolytics: These help decrease the thickening of nasal secretion caused by the infection of the sinuses.
Medications and Home Remedies May Be Best For Your Sinus Infection
After a consultation with your care provider, you may find that a combination of over-the-counter or prescription medications and home remedies could be your best course of treatment. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, some patients will need more than one round or type of sinusitis medication each year.
Some patients take decongestants as part of their daily routine, while others find it best to make lifestyle changes, such as avoiding known triggers of their sinus condition. This is especially true for allergy sufferers during peak allergy seasons in the spring and fall months.
If no amount of medication or home remedies seems to work for you, your doctor may suggest a minimally invasive procedure called balloon dilation. This procedure reshapes the patient’s natural sinus anatomy to improve mucus drainage.
A Cycle of Medications and Home Remedies May Be Best for Your Sinusitis
If medications and home remedies no longer provide effective sinus relief, your care provider might recommend an alternative treatment: balloon sinus dilation.
Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive procedure that reshapes the nasal passages to improve airflow and drainage. This procedure requires only local anesthesia and offers a quick recovery time.
During the procedure, a small balloon is strategically inserted at different locations inside the nose and sinuses, then gently inflated. This process opens the sinus pathways, allowing for better mucus drainage and reducing inflammation.
After the procedure, many patients notice improvement in their sinus symptoms and breathing comfort, with benefits that can last when healing progresses as expected.
Let San Antonio Breathe Free Create a Personalized Treatment Plan for Your Sinus Infection
At San Antonio Breathe Free, our team of skilled specialists is committed to diagnosing and treating various sinus infections. We offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. By evaluating the severity of your symptoms and reviewing your medical history, we develop a comprehensive approach to your care.
Let’s work together to find the right treatment for your sinus condition—book a consultation today.
