Runny nose, nighttime cough, headache. Is it a cold, allergies, or sinusitis? Sinusitis symptoms are similar to other common upper respiratory conditions, making it hard to figure out what’s going on. The team at Family Medicine Associates, PC, in Thornton, Colorado, specializes in diagnosing and treating sinusitis and can determine what’s causing your symptoms. Call the office or schedule your sinusitis consultation online today.
Sinusitis means inflammation of the sinuses. Your sinuses are the open spaces around your nose. The mucosal tissue that lines your sinuses makes mucus that clears away bacteria, keeping your nose clean.
Normally air and mucus flow freely through your sinus cavity. However, inflammation and swelling of the sinuses affect the flow of air and mucus drainage. If mucus can’t drain out of the sinus cavity, bacteria grows and causes an infection (bacterial sinusitis).
Anyone can develop sinusitis. However, you’re more likely to develop the condition following a cold or a flare-up of allergies.
The Family Medicine Associates, PC, team classifies sinusitis into types based on the length or frequency of your sinusitis infections. Types of sinusitis include:
Acute sinusitis is a short-term infection that lasts no more than four weeks and gets better with care.
With subacute sinusitis, your infection fails to improve with initial treatment, and you continue to have symptoms that last up to eight weeks.
Chronic sinusitis is a type of sinusitis that lasts more than eight weeks.
If you have three or more acute sinusitis infections over 12 months, you have recurrent sinusitis.
Sinusitis symptoms vary and look similar to other upper respiratory conditions like the common cold or nasal allergies. Signs you might have sinusitis include:
If you or your child has any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment at Family Medicine Associates, PC. They can perform a physical exam and run tests to determine if sinusitis is the cause of your symptoms and develop the most effective treatment plan.
Treatment options for sinusitis vary depending on the sinusitis type and severity of symptoms. The team at Family Medicine Associates, PC, customizes your treatment plan, so you get the best outcomes and relief from your symptoms.
Sinusitis treatments include:
If medical interventions fail to improve your sinusitis, the team may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to discuss other treatment options.
To get help for your sinusitis, call Family Medicine Associates, PC, or schedule an appointment online today.