Sinusitis

St. Louis Asthma Doctor for Sinusitis

If you have nasal congestion, facial pressure, cough and thick nasal discharge, you may have rhinosinusitis, commonly referred to as sinusitis. Our St. Louis asthma clinic treats both acute and chronic sinusitis. If you frequently experience the symptoms of sinusitis and don’t respond well to typical treatment, our allergy doctors will carefully examine your medical history to determine an effective, long-term treatment to give you relief. Chronic sinus infections are often linked to asthma, which is most effectively treated by an experienced asthma doctor. Asthma rates are particularly high in the St. Louis area.

Your sinuses are hollow cavities within your cheekbones, around your eyes and behind your nose. They contain mucus, which helps to warm, moisten and filter the air you breathe. When something blocks the mucus from draining normally, an infection can occur. A one-time sinus infection that does not resolve on its own can be treated easily by an allergist in St. Louis. Chronic or recurrent sinusitis requires more diagnostic testing to allow an allergist to determine the underlying problem.

Acute Sinusitis Treatment in St. Louis

Acute sinusitis refers to sinusitis symptoms lasting less than four weeks. Most cases begin as a common cold. Symptoms often go away within a week to 10 days; but in some people, a bacterial infection develops requiring treatment from a St. Louis allergist.

Chronic sinusitis, also referred to as chronic rhinosinusitis, is often diagnosed when symptoms have gone on for more than 12 weeks, despite medical treatment. If this applies to you, we recommend you see an allergist or asthma doctor in St. Louis.

People with allergic rhinitis or asthma are more likely to suffer from chronic sinusitis. This is because the airways are more likely to become inflamed when allergic rhinitis or asthma are present. Sinusitis may also be caused by an infection, a fungus, deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or in rare cases an immune system deficiency.

Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis symptoms, whether acute or chronic, frequently develop after a cold or during times of severe or ongoing allergic rhinitis symptoms. The most obvious sign of sinusitis is a painful pressure in the cheeks and forehead. Other symptoms include:

  • Thick yellow-green nasal discharge
  • Postnasal drip, often with a bad taste
  • Cough
  • Congestion
  • Toothache

In cases of acute sinusitis, a fever may develop.

Diagnosis

Allergy testing performed by a St. Louis allergist can identify what allergic triggers might be behind your chronic or recurring sinus infections. In chronic or severe cases, your asthma doctor may also examine your nasal passages using a technique called rhinoscopy or nasal endoscopy. In this procedure, a thin, flexible instrument is inserted up the nostril to view the sinus passages and look for blockages.

Your St. Louis allergist may order a MRI or CT scan to look for abnormalities in the sinuses – narrow drainage passages, polyps or a deviated septum. Make an appointment with a St. Louis allergist right away if you have: a fever, pain or swelling in the face or eye, redness on the cheek or around the eye, severe headaches, confusion or a stiff neck.

St. Louis Allergist for Sinusitis

The difference between visiting your general physician and consulting with a St. Louis allergy doctor is significant when it comes to chronic sinusitis. Rather than treating your infection as a one-time incident, asthma specialists will look for the underlying cause of the problem. Asthma and immune disorders may cause frequent sinusitis which could be prevented through appropriate asthma treatment in St. Louis. Our allergy clinic is accepting new patients from around the St. Louis area.

Adapted from: http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/sinusitis.aspx

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