What the heck is a sinusitis nose? Are you suffering from it? How do you treat it? These questions and more will be answered here.
If you have any problems with sinusitis, read on.
Your nose may be the prime culprit behind your condition.
On Sinusitis Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus walls or cells due to infection or allergy.
It appears in two forms: acute and chronic.
The acute form usually lasts around a week or so and will usually go away on its own.
The chronic form however lasts for more than three months at a time and can require special treatment.
The treatment would of course depend on the cause.
One of the causes of the chronic form is nasal abnormalities or nose problems that start to block the sinus passages.
This is what you would sometimes call a sinusitis nose.
Common Problems According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), one of the reasons behind the chronic case is a misshapen nasal cavity.
Common problems with the shape and structure of the nasal cavity would include deviated nasal septa (plural or septum), polyps, or fractured bones that may be blocking the passages according to the Mayo Clinic.
Deviated Nasal Septum Your nasal septum is the structure of bone and cartilage that sits in the middle of your nose.
It divides the nose into two separate chambers, one for each nostril.
This septum is very movable and can sometimes 'deviate' or bend to the right or left.
According to the AAO, almost 80% of Americans suffer from some level of nasal septum deviation, although most are so small they go by unnoticed.
The deviated septum that can cause your condition would be a septum that is severely off-centered.
If the septum goes off-center so much, it can start to block the sinus passages, causing constant mucus build up that leads to irritation and inflammation.
Symptoms of this condition would include difficulty breathing through one nostril, blockage of one nostril, frequent nosebleeds, and even facial pains according to the AAO.
It is best to get a confirmed diagnosis from a specialist or a qualified ENT or Ear Nose Throat Doctor whenever you are considering this as the reason behind your chronic condition.
There are other factors that have to be considered before treatment is suggested.
If the nasal septum deviation is to be treated, septoplasty is the AAOs recommended surgery.
Nasal Polyps Another cause of the chronic condition, nasal polyps can cause blockages that lead to persistent mucus drainage problems as well.
The Mayo Clinic defines them as tear drop-shaped, non-cancerous growths inside the walls of the nose.
Smaller ones are usually harmless but bigger ones can block the sinus passages or openings.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic states that the polyps are often found in the openings to the sinuses.
Medications can be prescribed to shrink the growths to more manageable sizes.
Corticosteriods are suggested by the Mayo Clinic as they are known to shrink the growths.
Surgery may also be required if the drug treatments do not work.
Polypectomy, the removal of the polyps, can be done using a microbrider, a small device used to cut out soft tissues.
Endoscopic sinus surgery may also be used.
Some prevention techniques are recommended by the Mayo Clinic as well.
These include managing your allergies, avoiding your known irritants, practicing good hygienic habits, using a humidifier, and nasal rinsing.
A neti pot may be useful in nasal rinsing.
Trauma If your nose has recently gone through trauma or impact, some of the bones inside the nose may have fractured and are now blocking the small nasal passages.
Have your ENT check you out as soon as possible in these cases to ensure no bones are out of place.
Remember to get a referral to a good ENT or specialist if you need to rule out your nose as the cause of your problems.
Regular physicians may not be able to handle some of the special nose cases out there so its best to check in with a trained specialist or ENT.
Try the AAO website to find ENTs.
If you have any problems with sinusitis, read on.
Your nose may be the prime culprit behind your condition.
On Sinusitis Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus walls or cells due to infection or allergy.
It appears in two forms: acute and chronic.
The acute form usually lasts around a week or so and will usually go away on its own.
The chronic form however lasts for more than three months at a time and can require special treatment.
The treatment would of course depend on the cause.
One of the causes of the chronic form is nasal abnormalities or nose problems that start to block the sinus passages.
This is what you would sometimes call a sinusitis nose.
Common Problems According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), one of the reasons behind the chronic case is a misshapen nasal cavity.
Common problems with the shape and structure of the nasal cavity would include deviated nasal septa (plural or septum), polyps, or fractured bones that may be blocking the passages according to the Mayo Clinic.
Deviated Nasal Septum Your nasal septum is the structure of bone and cartilage that sits in the middle of your nose.
It divides the nose into two separate chambers, one for each nostril.
This septum is very movable and can sometimes 'deviate' or bend to the right or left.
According to the AAO, almost 80% of Americans suffer from some level of nasal septum deviation, although most are so small they go by unnoticed.
The deviated septum that can cause your condition would be a septum that is severely off-centered.
If the septum goes off-center so much, it can start to block the sinus passages, causing constant mucus build up that leads to irritation and inflammation.
Symptoms of this condition would include difficulty breathing through one nostril, blockage of one nostril, frequent nosebleeds, and even facial pains according to the AAO.
It is best to get a confirmed diagnosis from a specialist or a qualified ENT or Ear Nose Throat Doctor whenever you are considering this as the reason behind your chronic condition.
There are other factors that have to be considered before treatment is suggested.
If the nasal septum deviation is to be treated, septoplasty is the AAOs recommended surgery.
Nasal Polyps Another cause of the chronic condition, nasal polyps can cause blockages that lead to persistent mucus drainage problems as well.
The Mayo Clinic defines them as tear drop-shaped, non-cancerous growths inside the walls of the nose.
Smaller ones are usually harmless but bigger ones can block the sinus passages or openings.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic states that the polyps are often found in the openings to the sinuses.
Medications can be prescribed to shrink the growths to more manageable sizes.
Corticosteriods are suggested by the Mayo Clinic as they are known to shrink the growths.
Surgery may also be required if the drug treatments do not work.
Polypectomy, the removal of the polyps, can be done using a microbrider, a small device used to cut out soft tissues.
Endoscopic sinus surgery may also be used.
Some prevention techniques are recommended by the Mayo Clinic as well.
These include managing your allergies, avoiding your known irritants, practicing good hygienic habits, using a humidifier, and nasal rinsing.
A neti pot may be useful in nasal rinsing.
Trauma If your nose has recently gone through trauma or impact, some of the bones inside the nose may have fractured and are now blocking the small nasal passages.
Have your ENT check you out as soon as possible in these cases to ensure no bones are out of place.
Remember to get a referral to a good ENT or specialist if you need to rule out your nose as the cause of your problems.
Regular physicians may not be able to handle some of the special nose cases out there so its best to check in with a trained specialist or ENT.
Try the AAO website to find ENTs.
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