Dr. Songhui Ma specializes in common sinus problems effecting us today including sinusitis. Sinusitis is one of the most common diseases in the United States and affects approximately 16% of all Americans.
What is sinusitis?
The paranasal sinuses are hollow spaces in the bones of the cheeks, forehead, between the eyes and behind the nose. These spaces drain through small channels into the nose. Sinusitis occurs when there is inflammation and excess mucus in these spaces. Sinusitis often results when inflammation in the nose blocks the small channels and prevents the sinuses from clearing out bacteria. Symptoms are often severe but can also be subtle. It can last a few weeks or linger for years.
Common symptoms include some or all of the following:
- Nasal congestion with thick yellow-green discharge
- Pressure-like pain in the forehead, cheeks, or behind the eyes
- Pain in the upper teeth
- Pressure and popping feeling in the ears
- Cough, bad breath and/or loss of smell
- Constant tiredness, occasionally fever
See a doctor right away if you have any of the following:
- Pain or swelling around the eyes or forehead
- Double vision or vision changes
- Confusion, neck stiffness or severe headache
- Difficulty breathing
What causes it?
- The most common cause is colds. If symptoms last longer than two weeks, you may need to take antibiotics to get better.
- Allergies cause inflammation in the nose and if you have allergies, you are more likely to get sinusitis.
- Up to 75% of people with asthma will have problems with sinusitis. At the same time, sinusitis often makes asthma worse.
- Environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke also cause inflammation.
- Structural problems in the nose such as narrow drainage passages or a deviated septum can block the sinus passages.
- Nasal polyps are teardrop shaped growths of the lining of the nose and sinuses. They can result from chronic inflammation such as persistent infections and allergies. Polyps also occur with mold exposure and in people with aspirin sensitivity. If they are large, they often block the nasal passages.
- Problems with the immune system which result in frequent and/or persistent infections.
When to see Dr. Ma
If your sinus problems last longer than 1-2 months, happen more than twice a year or do not get better after seeing your regular doctor, you should see an allergist. You can find out what is putting you at risk for persistent or recurrent sinus problems and come up with an individualized plan to get better. This includes a full evaluation of allergies, home and work environments, immune function and the anatomic structure of your sinuses. If your sinus problems are caused by allergies, you may even be able to cure it with immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots.
