What Is Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is a condition characterized by swollen and infected sinus cavities. These sinus cavities remove foreign bodies from your nasal passageway by producing mucus that regularly cleans it out.
The sinuses help keep you healthy and comfortable. It’s hard to appreciate your sinuses because you won’t notice them when they’re healthy and doing their job. Unfortunately, you will immediately notice if something’s wrong with them.
If excess fluid pools around your sinuses, they will likely become infected. That’s the condition we know as sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is a version of this infection that lingers for a long time. Your symptoms may vary in terms of intensity while you are dealing with a case of chronic sinusitis. Still, you cannot expect them to disappear.
So, what are the symptoms of chronic sinusitis? Aside from the inflammation, your chronic sinusitis will likely cause a runny nose and congestion. Parts of your face near your nose, eyes, and cheeks may also experience mild pain.
Your case of chronic sinusitis will also adversely affect your ability to taste food and smell aromas. Additional symptoms you can expect to experience include coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and headaches.
Secure chronic sinusitis treatment in Los Angeles, CA by consulting with Dr. McAlpin.
What Are Common Treatment Options for Chronic Sinusitis?
Dealing with a case of chronic sinusitis can be frustrating. Thankfully, numerous treatment options can help with that infection.
Our doctor may prescribe medication to clear up your chronic sinusitis. They will prescribe medication based on the specific cause of your condition. If allergies triggered it, you can expect your doctor to prescribe allergy medication. Meanwhile, your doctor may prescribe antifungal medication if some sort of fungus is to blame.
Nasal sprays are also used to treat this particular infection. The nasal sprays will spread corticosteroids inside your sinuses. In turn, those corticosteroids should reduce the inflammation.
Those treatment options are usually good enough for most cases of chronic sinusitis. However, they may not work for severe manifestations of that condition. Your doctor may give you oral corticosteroids to alleviate the significant swelling caused by your severe sinusitis.
Injections may also treat sinusitis if the infection is related to nasal polyps.
Doctors may turn to surgery if all the treatment options mentioned thus far don’t produce the desired results. Surgery may be required if the chronic sinusitis is related to a structural issue around your nose.
Call (213) 745-4060 and book your chronic sinusitis treatment session in Los Angeles, CA with Dr. McAlpin.