Of course, everybody wants a healthy life away from sickness, pain, and discomfort. We always wish we were strong and free from any type of illness. Unfortunately, that is not always the case and it doesn’t work for everyone. Sometimes, we experience pain and discomfort, which affect different aspects of our lives. Infections and other conditions affect different parts of our body, including our sinuses and other components of our respiratory system.
An ENT specialist or otolaryngologist is the specialist to visit if you experience chronic nasal discharge and difficulty breathing. When your sense of taste and smell are always compromised because of sinusitis, you must sit down to consider all possible treatment options. Getting immediate professional help is important to prevent the serious consequences. A consultation with an ENT doctor, for example, will allow you to determine what is going on with your ears, mouth, or throat, as well as know which treatment is best for you.
This is important to get the right solution right away. Leaving the problem untreated could lead to a bad ending. The condition may worsen and cause other complications, which will require more treatments or a different approach that may be costly.
Polyps in the nose and sinuses
Having sinusitis is more than having a cold. A cold may let up after rest and intake of fluids, but the facial pain associated with sinus infections does not go away. If the sinus infection does not resolve after three months, your diagnosis becomes chronic sinusitis. Many people live with this problem their entire lives.
If you choose to consult an otolaryngologist, be ready for a more in-depth examination. The presence of polyps in the nose and sinuses confirms that the condition you are dealing with is not likely to go away with over-the-counter nasal decongestants.
Before surgery becomes an option
Medical management of chronic sinusitis involves treatment of allergies and infection—the typical “combo”. A course of medical therapy is helpful to many patients suffering from the condition. Persons with sinusitis take a combination of treatments, including steroid sprays, oral steroids, antibiotics, and sinus rinses.
In the lack of a response, the doctor may consider ordering a CT-scan to determine the presence of structural problems that prevent sinus infection from resolving. A crooked or deviated nasal septum may be the reason for a surgical consultation.
Surgery for sinusitis
When medical treatment does not do anything for you, the otolaryngologist may recommend nasal surgery in Denver. The presence of nasal polyps—abnormal growths in the nasal linings, may be enough for the doctor to recommend nasal polyps removal. The procedure is known by many names, such as Nasal Polypectomy, Ethmoidal Polypectomy, and Maxillary Polypectomy. If breathing is compromised and the polyps are obstructing the flow of air, this procedure becomes a necessity.
Chronic sinus infection is debilitating for many patients. Consider the medical and surgical options presented by your doctor to improve your quality of life. Be sure to find an ENT specialist who has the experience, knowledge, and tools to provide the solutions you need.
