What Is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation, swelling or irritation of the sinus lining, the airspace within the nose and bones of the head. And it’s one of the most common conditions we treat at Mount Sinai South Nassau's Department of Ear, Nose and Throat. It can be caused by different issues:

• Infections from bacteria, viruses and microbes
  
• Blockage that is in the sinus so that mucus cannot drain normally; this occurs if the sinus opening (ostium) is closed, for example
  

Facts About Sinusitis

There are two main categories of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Common symptoms include:

• Facial pain, pressure
  
• Nasal congestion or fullness
  
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
  
• Discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose
  
• Pain in teeth
  
• Loss of the sense of smell or taste
  
• Headache
  
• Fatigue
  
• Sore throat
  
• Bad breath
  

If you have symptoms like these often, or if they last three months or longer, you might have chronic sinusitis. This condition can take a great toll on your quality of life.

The most frequently used treatments for sinusitis are medicines, and conventional sinus surgery. Our surgeons also offer expertise in “balloon sinuplasty,” to treat sinusitis without surgery. Read more.

Learn More

Treatment for sinusitis at Mount Sinai South Nassau
Watch a video showing how doctors use balloon sinuplasty to open blocked sinuses

Source: www.acclarent.com