Sinusitis Treatments To Help You Breathe Better

Breathing easily is probably something you took for granted before you developed sinusitis. Chronic congestion makes it difficult to sleep during the night and can worsen pain, headaches and other symptoms of sinusitis. Fortunately, the otolaryngologists at Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants in Southfield, Novi, Livonia and St. Clair Shores, MI, offer treatments that can help clear your sinuses and improve your breathing.

How does sinusitis affect breathing?

Allergies, colds and other viral infections can affect the normal functioning of your sinuses. When you're well, hair-like projections called cilia remove mucus by constantly pushing into your throat. After mucus reaches your throat, it's swallowed and exits your body through your digestive system.

Infections and allergies cause nasal tissues to swell, preventing mucus from draining. As the mucus builds up, your sinuses become inflamed and painful and you may notice that breathing through your nose is difficult.

In addition to congestion, sinusitis can cause yellow or green nasal discharge, headaches, nausea, fatigue, fever, cough, post-nasal drip, clogged ears, and pain in your cheeks, neck, forehead and ears and around your eyes.

How do your Southfield, Novi and St. Clair Shores and Livonia, MI, otolaryngologists treat sinus infections?

In many cases, sinusitis symptoms and breathing improve after a few weeks of home care. If you're not feeling better, your doctor can recommend or prescribe medications that decrease mucus production and relieve congestion and swelling. Treating allergies, removing nasal polyps and addressing other underlying conditions that cause or worsen nasal congestion may also be helpful.

Balloon sinus dilation (BSD) can be helpful if congestion remains an issue despite taking medication and treating underlying conditions. During BSD, your ENT inserts a catheter that contains a deflated balloon into your sinuses through your nostrils. Inflating the balloon reduces congestion by widening your nasal passages.

Minimally invasive sinus surgery may be needed if BSD doesn't help or you have obstructions in your sinuses. The surgery is performed by inserting tiny instruments and a fiber-optic camera through your nose and into your sinuses. Your ENT views live images from your sinuses that help guide him or her while performing the surgery

Relieve your sinusitis symptoms with a visit to the ENTs at Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants. Call (248) 569-5985 to schedule an appointment in their Southfield, Novi, Livonia and St. Clair Shores, MI, offices.