Understanding the Allergy-Asthma Connection
Allergies and asthma are conditions that create problems for millions of people, and during National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we should better understand the connection between the two.
Understanding the Different Causes of Sinusitis
As beautiful as spring and summer are, they have a knack for bringing out our allergies. From the pollen floating through the air to the dust and pet dander that falls onto our skin, our sinuses are vulnerable to so many things.
If your sinus allergies are bad enough to cause you to miss activities, we can help. Our caring staff at Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center is led by Wade Han, MD FACS, and Elvira Livigni-De Armas, Au.D. Along with our compassionate team of professionals, they treat our patients who are dealing with sinusitis with tender care.
If you think you may have sinusitis, find out more about it below, including its most common causes.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the mucus-lined membranes inside your nose and head. When the tissues swell, the opening of your sinuses is blocked. This causes a buildup of mucus and can cause an infection.
Sinusitis is uncomfortable and can start with a stuffy nose that refuses to get better with treatment. It is also possible to have chronic sinusitis. This is when your sinusitis lasts for three months or longer.
What causes sinusitis?
According to the CDC, having had a recent cold and inhaling secondhand smoke are risk factors for developing sinusitis. Seasonal allergies and weak immune systems also increase your risk of developing sinusitis. Having sinus issues, like polyps or a deviated septum, could also make you more vulnerable to this condition.
Sinusitis is most likely to be experienced by allergy sufferers and has several actual causes:
Viruses
Viruses are the primary cause of sinusitis. Viral infections last for up to one month and are characterized by the aforementioned swelling and mucus.
Bacteria
Less often, bacteria are responsible for sinus infections. When this happens, the infections tend to last longer than 10 days, whereas viral infections will usually go away on their own within 10 days.
Allergies
Year-round allergy sufferers are always at risk for developing sinusitis. Contact with respiratory allergens, whether they are animal dander, pollen, or pollution can trigger an allergy cold, as well as sinusitis.
How do I know I have sinusitis?
It’s difficult to miss a stuffy nose that doesn’t go away, but some people have been living with sinusitis for so long, they’ve accepted their condition as normal. Common signs of sinusitis include:
- Difficulty breathing through your nose
- Blocked or stuffy nose
- Postnasal drainage
- Pain, tenderness, swelling around eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead
- Earache
Acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis can also cause fatigue and a sore throat. Not being able to breathe through your nose shouldn’t last for weeks on end. If you are experiencing this, we can assist you.
How do I get rid of sinusitis?
There is no cure for acute sinusitis, but your provider at Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center will be able to treat it effectively. Whether you’ve been dealing with a stuffy, runny nose for days, weeks, or months, you don’t have to suffer forever. Call us today at either of our Florida offices for a consultation or book an appointment with us online.
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