Surgery for Sinusitis Explained

Sinusitis can be tricky to diagnose and trickier to explain. Because its initial onset can resemble other disorders such as seasonal rhinitis and common colds, determining when and how to intervene usually takes a sinus expert’s examination.

This article is a helpful primer on how a cold becomes sinusitis, and what it feels like to transition from one to the other. The article also does a fine job of explaining why some sinus infections require medicine, while others may need surgery:

In chronic sinusitis, the lining of sinus cavities, called mucosa, becomes inflamed and swollen. Chronic sinusitis symptoms usually do not include fever. You may have thick, discolored nasal discharge, often green or yellow, along with nasal congestion. You may feel dull pain or pressure in your cheeks, eyes, forehead or the back of your head. Your sense of smell and taste may be reduced. Sometimes, when the inflammation is very bad, polyps may form in the nose. Polyps occupy the nasal passageways and can cause problems with nasal breathing, drainage and sense of smell.

Surgery is indicated when medicine and sprays aren’t doing the trick. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the most common approach, but my Los Angeles sinus surgery practice also offers balloon sinuplasty, which is less invasive.

To get started with better treatment for your own recurring sinusitis, please contact the LASI sinus surgeons today.