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Pain, pressure, drainage--it's a familiar scenario. You have a sinus infection again, and you must address it. Dr. William Bond Jr. treats scores of sinus infections--both acute and chronic--in his Washington, DC otolaryngology office. With precise diagnostic skill and accurate treatment, you can feel better and breathe easier.
What are sinuses?
Your sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull above your eyes, between your eyes and at the sides of your nose. Called the maxillary (the biggest), frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses, these cavities provide humidity to the air we breathe, make our voices distinctively ours and lighten our heavy skulls.
Lined with moist mucous membranes, sinuses become irritated from airborne pollutants and allergens and may stay inflamed after a cold or the flu. They trouble us when injured or are congenitally malformed. Sometimes, polyps, small benign tumors, grow in the sinuses because of chronic irritation from allergies.
The details on sinus infection
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says 31 million Americans suffer from some form of sinus infection every year. They experience symptoms which include:
- Headache and facial pain
- Pressure
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Tiredness
- Bad breath
- Fever
When symptoms last more than two weeks, or infections repeat over and over again, see Dr. Bond in his Washington, DC office. Sinus infections may be acute, or of limited duration, or they may be so frequent as to be chronic and difficult to relieve at home.
Treating sinus infections
Treatment begins with a review of symptoms and other diagnostics such as nasal examination (nasal endoscopy) with a lighted scope and/or a sophisticated CT scan. Dr. Bond looks for nasal polyps, inflammation, structural problems such as a deviated septum (which divides one side of the nose from the other) and other problems. He may wish to perform allergy testing if he feels allergens, such as pet dander, trigger chronic infections.
Based on his findings, he'll present a customized care plan which may include:
- Antihistamines to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis
- Antibiotics to heal infection
- Nasal irrigation, or lavage
- Decongestants
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Plus, as the patient, you track your symptoms, noting how they start, how long they last and what, if anything, relieves them. This information helps Dr. Bond understand more about your sinusitis.
Finally, as you recover, rest and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you smoke, consider stopping as cigarettes irritate the lungs and nasal passages, setting the stage for sinusitis.
Contact us
If you're struggling with your sinuses, look into examination and treatment with board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Bond. Together, you can find a solution and feel better. Call the office today at (202) 726-7770.
