Sinus Infections

 

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?
Sinus Infection Pittsfield

Sinus Infection Symptoms include:

  • Pain, pressure, tenderness, or swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead or back of the head
  • Nasal congestion
  • Yellow or green discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat (postnasal drip)
  • Sense of smell becomes altered, decreased or can be lost
  • Sore throat, cough, hoarseness, fatigue, pain in the upper jaw or teeth, bad breath

Diagnosis: is based on a thorough history and physical exam.  Depending on the severity of symptoms and/or length of symptoms, a CAT scan of the sinuses may be obtained to confirm diagnosis and document the sinuses involved.

Treatment: The goals of treatment are to eradicate infection of the sinuses by promoting drainage and eliminating mucosal swelling.  Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis may include:

  • A three-week course of a broad-spectrum antibiotic covering the most common bacteria infecting the sinuses as recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Nasal corticosteroid spray to help decrease inflammation
  • Nasal saline irrigants to flush out excess mucous and debris from the nasal cavity thereby promoting drainage
  • oral antihistamine medications are used to thin mucous and/or decongest the nose and sinuses
  • Oral steroids are occasionally prescribed to treat nasal polyps and/or severe inflammation
  • Treatment of associated allergies if present.

Follow-Up: If symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) fail to improve with medical therapy, surgery may be recommended.  Dr. Cavalli provides cutting edge surgical techniques to treat CRS.

Are you experiencing symptoms of a sinus infection? If so, call Giulio Cavalli Medical in Pittsfield, MA at (413) 443-6116 !