Sinus, Allergy & Nasal Disorders
Common symptoms, causes and treatments for sinus and allergy issues.
Allergy & Sinus Information
Our physicians use the most up-to-date equipment and techniques to diagnose and treat diseases of the nose and sinuses. The addition of an allergy evaluation by one of our physicians, when indicated, combines to give a complete and comprehensive approach to sinus and nasal problems.
Symptoms
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Headache
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Nausea
- Nasal congestion
- Other upper respiratory issues
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Sinus congestion
- Sleepiness
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
Causes
Some common allergens includeanimal dander, dust mites, mold spores, and pollen.
Treatment
We identify your allergy triggers and then create a plan with you to avoid them. We might also prescribe allergy medications.
Allergy Issues
We might recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots). Allergen immunotherapy aims to decrease an individual’s sensitivity to allergens by introducing increasing amounts of allergens to a patient, similar to the way a vaccine works.
While allergy medicines cover up allergic symptoms or prevent them temporarily, allergy immunotherapy’s goal is to fix the underlying problem.
Treatments:
· Avoid allergy triggers
· Take allergy medications
· Undergo immunotherapy
Diagnosing Your Allergy Issues
What is an allergy?
Allergies are very common, affecting approximately twenty percent of the US population. Allergies are caused by an abnormal hyperactive response of our immune system to a substance found in the environment such as animal dander, plant pollens, molds, dust mites that are harmless to those who are not allergic. Allergies can cause inflammation inside the nose and sinus cavities.
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include nasal stuffiness, runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Trapped or stagnant mucus provides an incubator for bacteria, leading to sinus infections. Allergies are responsible for asthma in some patients and may also cause nasal stuffiness, resulting in a strain on the lungs that exacerbates the asthma.
We evaluate your symptoms, employing allergy skin tests; or, even nasal endoscopy, and/or blood work if necessary.
Testing includes
• Allergy skin testing
• Nasal endoscopy
• Blood work
Used for more than 100 years, skin testing is the most reliable form of allergy testing and is considered to be the gold standard. Allergy skin testing is performed utilizing a combination of scratch testing, where a tiny comb gently scratches the skin surface and intradermal testing, where a fine needle is used to inject a small amount of allergen test extract into the skin. The results of allergy skin testing are available immediately after testing is completed and will be reviewed with you by your doctor, who will then use this information to make further treatment recommendations.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of allergies first begins with a comprehensive evaluation by one of our ENT specialists including a review of your symptoms and a complete physical examination. When indicated, your doctor may order additional testing such endoscopy, allergy testing, x-rays or CT scan imaging of the sinuses.
Treatment of allergies falls into three general categories. Medications such as antihistamines, nasal steroids and others are typically recommended as the first line of treatment for allergies and although they are highly effective in controlling allergy related symptoms, medications do cure allergies.
Through allergy testing we can identify your allergy triggers and then create a plan with you to avoid them. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is the third way to treat allergies. Allergy shots are indicated for patients who have a poor response to medication therapy or who have moderate to severe allergy symptoms occurring multiple seasons throughout the year.
Outcome
After allergy immunotherapy, 80 to 90 percent of patients experience fewer allergy symptoms, and many patients find their allergies are completely resolved.
Allergy and sinus problems are no fun! The physicians at Valley ENT Associates have additional advanced training in diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Call to schedule an appointment today and get relief of your allergy and sinus issues. Then get back outside and smell the roses (unless we tell you to avoid them, that is!).
Although sinusitis is often related to infections, either viral or bacterial, there are many other causes, including allergies.
A sinus infection can be categorized into two types, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) sinusitis. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
– Green/yellow, thick nasal discharge or post-nasal drip.
– High fever (102 degrees+).
– Facial pressure in the cheeks.
– Forehead or around the eyes, especially with swelling.
– Other symptoms of sinusitis may include loss of sense of smell or taste, fatigue, teeth pain, sinus headache, ear pressure and popping, difficulty breathing through the nose, sore throat from nasal discharge, persistent cough, and bad breath.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is defined simply as inflammation that involves the sinuses. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining that prevents normal mucus drainage through the nose. This blockage causes mucus to build up in the sinuses and can lead to very uncomfortable symptoms.
Treatment
The majority of cases of acute sinusitis (symptoms less than 4 weeks) and many cases of chronic sinusitis (symptoms for 12 weeks or more) respond well to treatment with medication. To reduce congestion, the physician may prescribe nasal sprays, saline sinus irrigation, topical or oral decongestants. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections found in the sinuses (antibiotics are not effective against a viral infection). Antihistamines are not helpful for treatment of sinusitis, but may be recommended for the treatment of allergies.
Chronic inflammation caused by a sinus infection leads to swelling of the membranes within the sinus cavities which ultimately causes obstruction of the natural sinus drainage pathways. If treatment with antibiotics and other medications are effective in resolving the infection, surgery may be required to restore normal sinus function. The goal of sinus surgery is to enlarge the natural openings of the sinuses, restoring the sinus drainage pathways.
Sinusitis Surgery with Balloon Sinuplasty
Advances in sinus surgery have led to the development of a less invasive technique of sinus surgery called Balloon Sinuplasty.
To learn more about Balloon Sinuplasty, click on the link below
Nosebleeds
If frequent nosebleeds are a problem, it is important to be evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist will carefully examine the nose prior to making a treatment recommendation. Two of the most common treatments include nasal cautery and packing of the nose.
Cautery is a technique in which the blood vessel is coagulated with an electric current or a chemical called silver nitrate. Sometimes, a doctor may need to pack the nose with special gauze or an inflatable packing material to put pressure on the blood vessel to control the bleeding.
Nasal Trauma
Bruises around the eyes and/or a slightly crooked nose following injury usually indicate a fractured nose, and immediate medical attention is ideal. But once soft tissue swelling distorts the nose, waiting 48-72 hours for a doctor’s appointment may actually help the doctor in evaluating your injury as the swelling recedes.
For markedly displaced nasal bones, surgeons often attempt to return the nasal bones to a straighter position under local or general anesthesia. This is usually done within seven to ten days after injury, so that the bones don’t heal in a displaced position.
Nasal trauma often results in compromised breathing through the nose, which requires corrective nasal surgery to fix the nasal obstruction (septoplasty) in addition to correcting any external nasal deformities (rhinoplasty). Depending on the nature of the injury, these procedures may be performed together or individually, and are typically done on an outpatient basis.
Nasal Obstruction
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils can be very uncomfortable and cause symptoms such as snoring, a diminished sense of smell, and frequently waking up with a dry mouth and sore throat due to chronic mouth breathing.
There are many causes of nasal obstruction including allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal valve stenosis and nasal polyps.
The physicians at Valley ENT Associates have specialized training and equipment to accurately diagnose and treat all causes of nasal obstruction. The evaluation of nasal obstruction by one of our physicians in the office may include a specialized procedure called fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy which uses a small flexible fiberoptic scope to allow complete examination of the nasal passages.
If you suffer with nasal obstruction, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for an evaluation.
Allergy Issues
We might recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots). Allergen immunotherapy aims to decrease an individual’s sensitivity to allergens by introducing increasing amounts of allergens to a patient, similar to the way a vaccine works.
While allergy medicines cover up allergic symptoms or prevent them temporarily, allergy immunotherapy’s goal is to fix the underlying problem.
Treatments:
· Avoid allergy triggers
· Take antihistamines
· Undergo immunotherapy
Diagnosing Your Allergy Issues
What is an allergy?
Allergies are very common, affecting approximately twenty percent of the US population. Allergies are caused by an abnormal hyperactive response of our immune system to a substance found in the environment such as animal dander, plant pollens, molds, dust mites that are harmless to those who are not allergic. Allergies can cause inflammation inside the nose and sinus cavities.
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include nasal stuffiness, runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Trapped or stagnant mucus provides an incubator for bacteria, leading to sinus infections. Allergies are responsible for asthma in some patients and may also cause nasal stuffiness, resulting in a strain on the lungs that exacerbates the asthma.
We evaluate your symptoms, employing allergy skin tests; or, even nasal endoscopy, and/or blood work if necessary.
Testing includes
• Allergy skin testing
• Nasal endoscopy
• Blood work
Used for more than 100 years, skin testing is the most reliable form of allergy testing and is considered to be the gold standard. Allergy skin testing is performed utilizing a combination of scratch testing, where a tiny comb gently scratches the skin surface and intradermal testing, where a fine needle is used to inject a small amount of allergen test extract into the skin. The results of allergy skin testing are available immediately after testing is completed and will be reviewed with you by your doctor, who will then use this information to make further treatment recommendations.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of allergies first begins with a comprehensive evaluation by one of our ENT specialists including a review of your symptoms and a complete physical examination. When indicated, your doctor may order additional testing such endoscopy, allergy testing, x-rays or CT scan imaging of the sinuses.
Treatment of allergies falls into three general categories. Medications such as antihistamines, nasal steroids and others are typically recommended as the first line of treatment for allergies and although they are highly effective in controlling allergy related symptoms, medications do cure allergies.
Through allergy testing we can identify your allergy triggers and then create a plan with you to avoid them. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is the third way to treat allergies. Allergy shots are indicated for patients who have a poor response to medication therapy or who have moderate to severe allergy symptoms occurring multiple seasons throughout the year.
Outcome
After allergy immunotherapy, 80 to 90 percent of patients experience fewer allergy symptoms, and many patients find their allergies are completely resolved.
Allergy and sinus problems are no fun! The physicians at Valley ENT Associates have additional advanced training in diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Call to schedule an appointment today and get relief of your allergy and sinus issues. Then get back outside and smell the roses (unless we tell you to avoid them, that is!).
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is defined simply as inflammation that involves the sinuses. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining that prevents normal mucus drainage through the nose. This blockage causes mucus to build up in the sinuses and can lead to very uncomfortable symptoms.
Treatment
The majority of cases of acute sinusitis (symptoms less than 4 weeks) and many cases of chronic sinusitis (symptoms for 12 weeks or more) respond well to treatment with medication. To reduce congestion, the physician may prescribe nasal sprays, saline sinus irrigation, topical or oral decongestants. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections found in the sinuses (antibiotics are not effective against a viral infection). Antihistamines are not helpful for treatment of sinusitis, but may be recommended for the treatment of allergies.
Chronic inflammation caused by a sinus infection leads to swelling of the membranes within the sinus cavities which ultimately causes obstruction of the natural sinus drainage pathways. If treatment with antibiotics and other medications are effective in resolving the infection, surgery may be required to restore normal sinus function. The goal of sinus surgery is to enlarge the natural openings of the sinuses, restoring the sinus drainage pathways.
Although sinusitis is often related to infections, either viral or bacterial, there are many other causes, including allergies.
A sinus infection can be categorized into two types, acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) sinusitis. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
– Green/yellow, thick nasal discharge or post-nasal drip.
– High fever (102 degrees+).
– Facial pressure in the cheeks.
– Forehead or around the eyes, especially with swelling.
– Other symptoms of sinusitis may include loss of sense of smell or taste, fatigue, teeth pain, sinus headache, ear pressure and popping, difficulty breathing through the nose, sore throat from nasal discharge, persistent cough, and bad breath.
Sinusitis Surgery with Balloon Sinuplasty
Advances in sinus surgery have led to the development of a less invasive technique of sinus surgery called Balloon Sinuplasty.
To learn more about Balloon Sinuplasty, click on the link below
Nosebleeds
If frequent nosebleeds are a problem, it is important to be evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist will carefully examine the nose prior to making a treatment recommendation. Two of the most common treatments include nasal cautery and packing of the nose.
Cautery is a technique in which the blood vessel is coagulated with an electric current or a chemical called silver nitrate. Sometimes, a doctor may need to pack the nose with special gauze or an inflatable packing material to put pressure on the blood vessel to control the bleeding.
Nasal Trauma
Bruises around the eyes and/or a slightly crooked nose following injury usually indicate a fractured nose, and immediate medical attention is ideal. But once soft tissue swelling distorts the nose, waiting 48-72 hours for a doctor’s appointment may actually help the doctor in evaluating your injury as the swelling recedes.
For markedly displaced nasal bones, surgeons often attempt to return the nasal bones to a straighter position under local or general anesthesia. This is usually done within seven to ten days after injury, so that the bones don’t heal in a displaced position.
Nasal trauma often results in compromised breathing through the nose, which requires corrective nasal surgery to fix the nasal obstruction (septoplasty) in addition to correcting any external nasal deformities (rhinoplasty). Depending on the nature of the injury, these procedures may be performed together or individually, and are typically done on an outpatient basis.
Nasal Obstruction
Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils can be very uncomfortable and cause symptoms such as snoring, a diminished sense of smell, and frequently waking up with a dry mouth and sore throat due to chronic mouth breathing.
There are many causes of nasal obstruction including allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal valve stenosis and nasal polyps.
The physicians at Valley ENT Associates have specialized training and equipment to accurately diagnose and treat all causes of nasal obstruction. The evaluation of nasal obstruction by one of our physicians in the office may include a specialized procedure called fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy which uses a small flexible fiberoptic scope to allow complete examination of the nasal passages.
If you suffer with nasal obstruction, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for an evaluation.
Contact Valley ENT
Saginaw - Main Office
2551 McLeod Drive South
Saginaw, MI 48604
Phone: (989) 799-8620
Fax: (989) 799-2664
Pigeon Office
Scheurer Prof. Building
135 N. Caseville Rd.
Pigeon, MI 48755
Phone: (989) 453-5226
Fax: (989) 453-8819
Tawas Office
St. Joseph Specialty Clinic
295 Maple St. Suite 201
PO Box 659
Tawas City, MI 48764
Phone: (989) 362-0188
Fax: (989) 362-7171
Cass City Office
4675 Hill Street
Cass City, MI 48726
Phone: (989) 912-6112
Fax: (989) 453-3819
Marlette Office
Marlette Regional Hospital
2750 Main Street, Suites 7 & 8
Marlette, MI 48453
Phone: (989) 635-4344
Fax: (877) 455-9031
Sandusky Office
McKenzie Health Plaza
115 Delaware Street
Sandusky, MI 48471
Phone: (810) 648-6115
Fax: (810) 648-2334