Midtown ENT

Sinus Disorders

Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Located in West Midtown, Atlanta, GA Now Serving Patients in Buckhead, Decatur and Stockbridge, GA

Sinuses make your skull lighter and act as resonating chambers to enhance the sounds you produce. They can also become very painful when inflamed. If you have sinus disorder symptoms, visit double board-certified Shivan Amin, MD, at Midtown ENT in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Amin diagnoses and treats problems ranging from allergies and tumors to sinus infections. Call Midtown ENT today or schedule a consultation online for expert sinus disorder care.

Sinus Disorders Q&A

What are sinus disorders?

Sinuses are hollow spaces behind your forehead, nose, and cheeks. They have a mucus lining that secretes fluid into your nose, helping moisten air when you breathe. Common sinus disorders include:

Allergic rhinitis

Allergies to pollen, dust, molds, and pet dander are common. They cause streaming eyes and nose, nasal congestion, and swelling when you’re exposed to the substance you’re allergic to.

Tumors

Sinus tumors are benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) growths.

Polyps

Polyps are noncancerous growths in the sinuses and/or nasal passages.

One of the most common sinus problems is infections.

What are sinus infections?

Sinus infections often develop when you have a cold or the flu. The tissues swell and produce more mucus, and infection can set in. Acute infections usually clear up in a week or two. Sometimes they don’t, and you develop chronic sinusitis lasting four weeks or more. Sinus infection symptoms include:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Nasal discharge
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Reduced sense of smell and/or taste
  • Sinus headaches

Sinus pain and pressure are tell-tale signs of problems in the sinuses. The pain and tenderness are concentrated in the center of your face, behind the eyes, nose, and brows. It happens because of a pressure buildup inside the sinuses as the tissues swell.

The pain and pressure can be severe and extend into your ears and teeth. Bending forward increases the pain and pressure considerably.

How are sinus disorders treated?

Sinus disorder treatments Dr. Amin might recommend include:

Medication

If you have a bacterial infection, Dr. Amin can prescribe antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. You might need anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the pain and pressure to tolerable levels while your sinuses heal. If you have an allergy, medications like antihistamines and steroids stop your immune system from overreacting to allergens and reduce inflammation.

Surgery

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): This is the most common type of sinus surgery. It involves the use of an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and a light on the end. The surgeon inserts the endoscope through the nostrils to visualize the sinus openings and remove any polyps, tissue obstructions, or bony partitions that are blocking the sinuses.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is an in-office, minimally invasive procedure that treats chronic sinusitis. Dr. Amin inserts a catheter (slim, flexible tube) into your nose to the blocked sinus. When it’s in position, he inflates a tiny balloon at the catheter’s tip. The balloon gently flattens the enlarged tissues, opening the sinuses again. Dr. Amin can also clear any trapped or infected material with irrigation if needed.

Call Midtown ENT today or book an appointment online for expert sinus disorder care.