We all know how allergies, or simply the common cold can really set us back. However at Northeast Atlanta ENT, we’ve heard many people say something along the lines of, “I’ve had this cold for a month; when is it going to go away?”
If you’ve had signs and symptoms of a cold or allergies for this long, then most likely something else is going on in your body; sinusitis. Luckily, at Northeast Atlanta ENT in Johns Creek and Lawrenceville, Ga., we are very experienced with treating sinusitis, and offer different treatment options depending on your unique situation, and what is best for you.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the sinus cavities lasting 10 days or more. Sinusitis is typically preceded by the common cold or an allergy outbreak, but when symptoms persist for 10 days, 2 weeks, or sometimes much longer it means a bacterial infection is the likely culprit. While not a serious medical condition in the short-term, it can put a significant damper on your quality of life; interfering with work, school, sleeping patterns and more.
How is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Normally, our experienced physicians at Northeast Atlanta ENT can diagnose sinusitis with a routine exam at one of our offices (Lawrenceville & Johns Creek). However, in the event that your case is particularly difficult to diagnose, a CT scan could be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
In addition, other tests (such as a blood test to rule out any immune disorders) may be ordered by one of our ENT physicians. Our goal is to treat your sinusitis effectively and help you feel better, and in order to do that sometimes, on occasion, these other tests must be conducted to rule out any other possibilities.
Treating Sinusitis with Antibiotics
Sinusitis (whether one-time or chronic) is typically treated with aggressive antibiotic therapy. However, some patients become resistant to antibiotics, making sinusitis difficult to treat in certain situations. It is recommend that you give your body a chance to try and fight off the infection naturally, boosting your immune system in the process.
If you feel it has been 7 days or more, and you are not getting better without antibiotic treatment, then it is definitely time to contact one of our offices and schedule your appointment.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Balloon Sinuplasty
One of the more popular treatments at our Lawrenceville & Johns Creek locations for patients experiencing recurring or chronic sinusitis involves a minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure called a Balloon Sinuplasty.
Basically, a Balloon Sinuplasty involves a small, flexible balloon catheter that is carefully guided through the nostrils and into the sinus cavity by our highly-trained ENT physicians. When the balloon is inflated, it gently reopens the cavities, restoring normal functioning.
Many patients prefer this procedure to other, more complex sinus surgeries because it is an outpatient procedure, can be done in our office (no hospital room needed), and typically involves a swift recovery.
So What’s Next?
If you’ve been dealing with chronic sinus problems, and traditional, over-the-counter medicine has not seemed to alleviate your symptoms, then treatment with antibiotics or Balloon Sinuplasty may be the best option for you.
To learn more, or to book your appointment, contact our Lawrenceville office here, or our Johns Creek office here to schedule your appointment today, and take the most important step on the road to recovery!
Posted by Northeast Atlanta ENT
Offices in Johns Creek & Lawrenceville, GA