Sinusitis Specialist
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Comprehensive Ear Nose Throat
N.X. Nguyen, M.D.
Otolaryngology & Allergist located in Huntington Beach, CA
If blocked sinuses are making it difficult for you to breathe, you may have a condition known as sinusitis. At Comprehensive Ear Nose Throat in Huntington Beach, California, Nghia Nguyen, MD offers diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic sinusitis, including minimally invasive sinus surgeries to reduce the occurrence of sinusitis symptoms and provide relief from chronic sinus issues. If you’re experiencing sinus pain, call or book an appointment online today.
Sinusitis Q & A
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a condition that occurs when bacteria or viruses cause an infection in the sinuses. This infection often starts when you have a cold and the bacteria or viruses begin to multiply.
Your body reacts to the infection by causing swelling in the lining of the sinuses, blocking the pathways that allow your sinuses to drain. As a result, mucus begins to build up in the sinus cavities, making it difficult to breathe and causing other health complications.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
If you have sinusitis, you may experience persistent stuffiness in your nose and feel pressure or pain around your eyes and in your nasal cavity.
If the condition is the result of a bacterial infection, nasal discharge may appear greenish or cloudy. These symptoms will likely last four weeks or more and may worsen without treatment. If your sinusitis is the result of a viral infection, your symptoms may last 10 days or more.
How is acute sinusitis treated?
If the infection is the result of a virus, you may need to take over-the-counter nasal decongestants and use nasal sprays to open your sinus passages. If the infection is caused by bacteria, Dr. Nguyen can recommend an antibiotic to clear the infection and relieve your other symptoms.
You may also need to use a vaporizer and saline rinse at home to keep your sinuses clear and make breathing easier.
Will I need surgery for sinusitis?
If you have chronic sinusitis, meaning your symptoms last longer than 12 weeks, and your symptoms are not relieved with medication, Dr. Nguyen may recommend surgery. He typically performs an in-office CT scan to diagnose chronic sinusitis.
During endoscopic sinus surgery, Dr. Nguyen uses a small scope with an attached camera to see inside your nose. Alternatively, he may recommend a procedure known as balloon sinuplasty, which uses a small, flexible balloon catheter, which he inflates to open blocked sinus passages.
The goal of sinus surgery is to widen the drainage passages between your nose and your sinuses. Wider passages also make it easier for medications and saline sprays to reach your sinuses and battle infection.
To learn more about the available treatment options for acute and chronic sinusitis, schedule a consultation online or by calling the office directly.
