One or a combination of these four things contributes to nasal congestion: infection, structural abnormalities, allergies, and rhinitis.
Acute sinus infections generally respond to antibiotic treatment, whereas, chronic sinusitis may require surgery. Structural abnormalities include deformities of the sinus cavities and nasal septum. Young children often have problems with enlarged adenoids. If these obstruct breathing, surgical correction may be necessary. Allergiesare an exaggerated inflammatory response to a substance such as pollen, mold, animal dander, or dust. Antihistamines help to relieve allergy symptoms as well as daily nasal saline rinses. Patients with allergies are more likely to need treatment for sinus infections. Rhinitisis inflammation of the nose and nasal membranes. Some contributors to rhinitis besides allergies and infections are stress, exposure to irritants such as perfumes and tobacco smoke, and overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.
Dr. Lee offers the latest sinus surgery techniques that are minimally invasive and anatomically sparing. Sinus surgical options include both endoscopic sinus surgery and image-guided surgery.
Endoscopic sinus surgery involves the insertion of a small fiber-optic camera into the nose for direct examination of the sinuses. The removal of obstructive or abnormal tissues may be done through the nostrils, leaving no external scars. Often no packing is required post surgery. This procedure is less invasive and typically done on an outpatient basis.
Image-guided surgery provides a more precise way to navigate the complex sinus passages. Dr. Lee uses computed tomography scans (CT) to aid him in this form of surgery. This is especially useful in cases of previous sinus surgery or unusual sinus anatomy.
Wondering which treatment option is best for your sinus issue? Set up an appointment with East Idaho Ear Nose Throat today.
Nasal turbinates help to clean and humidify the air as it moves through the nose. Surgical reduction of the turbinates may be necessary to decrease nasal obstruction and improve nasal breathing. Turbinate reduction does not leave any external scars, as it is performed entirely through the nostrils. This procedure may be performed with surgical septoplasty.
If you are having difficulty breathing through your nose, you may have a deviated septum. Dr. Lee can discuss treatment options with you whether it is medication, saline rinses, or surgical intervention.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to straighten a deviated, or crooked nasal septum. This improves breathing and may improve other symptoms including nasal discharge and post-nasal drip. If you have not had adequate symptom relief with medications, a septoplasty may be needed to allow for better breathing.
Contact East Idaho ENT to schedule a consultation today.
Dry climates or heated indoor air dehydrate nasal membranes, causing crusting, cracking, and bleeding. If a nosebleed occurs, gently blow your nose and then spray a nasal decongestant in the nose, pointing the tip diagonally towards the outside of your eye. Then firmly hold the fleshy part of your nose for five minutes or until the bleeding stops. Nasal cautery may be required for persistent nose bleeds. To prevent future nosebleeds, apply nasal saline gel or an antibiotic ointment to the inside of the nose. Using a humidifier and a nasal saline spray can help prevent dryness. Also, avoid any exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking dries the nasal lining and often leads to irritation.
If your nosebleed persists, a relatively simple in-office procedure may help prevent future nose bleeds. Call to schedule an appointment if you would like to be evaluated for this procedure. As always, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for assistance.
Snoring can be both socially and medically detrimental. It can deprive both the snorer and those sleeping nearby of adequate rest. Snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by multiple pauses in breathing. Untreated OSA increases the risk of developing serious, long-term health problems. There are different treatments depending on the severity of the snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. In children, snoring may be a sign of enlarged tonsils and adenoids that may need removal.
If you suffer from snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, contact East Idaho ENT to schedule a consultation. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for assistance.
- Keep small objects out of reach of young children. Those objects tend to find their way into small noses or ears. If your child has a foreign body lodged in the nose or ear, please contact our office right away.
- Maintain moist, clean nasal passages. Try using nasal saline rinses daily or during allergy season. This can help prevent infection and ease breathing.
- Avoid picking or blowing your nose hard. Do not use toilet paper or gauze to stop a nosebleed. Instead, gently blow your nose and then spray a nasal decongestant in the nose. Then firmly hold the fleshy part of your nose for five minutes or until the bleeding stops. Call to set up an appointment if bleeding persists.
- Quit smoking. Smoking exacerbates sinus conditions. Need help? We can assist you in choosing a smoking cessation method that will work best for you.