Symptoms may last from several days or weeks and will improve as swelling subsides. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen may help.
If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, or continue to progress, talk with a Teladoc doctor by phone for medical diagnosis and advice 24-7 through Teladoc. We offer fast diagnosis and advice – 24/7!
1. Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are tumor-like growths that form on the inside lining of your nose or sinuses, most often near openings of nasal passages and sinus openings; they can also appear anywhere throughout your nasal and sinus lining. Experts believe they form from accumulations of mucus-forming cells due to inflammation or disruption in their normal osmotic regulation between cells, becoming thickened and sticky over time and becoming trapped underneath thick layers of mucus-producing glands.
Polyps are an accumulation of cells that grow and divide, creating an area with increased tissue density. Although polyps are usually benign, they can sometimes lead to infection or cancerous change; so it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider regarding any symptoms related to nasal polyps that might be bothersome or damaging your health.
Doctors typically detect nasal polyps through physical examination. A doctor may be able to spot them with a lighted instrument; however, to accurately assess them they often require further investigation using a nasal endoscope or referral to a pathologist for evaluation. If polyps are detected, further tests such as computed tomography scans or blood analyses might be recommended in order to ascertain why they exist such as CT scanning or blood analyses that measure inflammation levels may also be recommended by your physician.
Large polyps can block your nasal passageway during sleep, forcing you to mouth breathe and eventually leading to obstructive sleep apnea. This can leave you irritable and tired during the day while also diminishing concentration, memory and thinking capabilities.
Treatment options for nasal polyps are usually quite effective, and most healthcare providers will usually start you on intranasal corticosteroids and nasal saline irrigation and monitor your progress over time.
Based on your medical history and symptoms, surgery may be suggested as a course of treatment if medical management doesn’t improve them. Most surgeries are minimally invasive and performed under local or general anesthesia; surgeons can often remove polyps with an endoscope rather than opening your face up for removal. Following surgery, steroid nasal spray may be prescribed to prevent their return.
2. Swelling
Swelling occurs when your body launches an immune response against irritation or injury, helping your body fight it naturally and heal itself naturally. But too much swelling may pose issues; one indicator of such is pain.
Sinus cavities lie inside your cheek bones, eyes and nose and are normally hollow and moist; however, when suffering from colds or allergies the sinus lining becomes inflamed and swells up causing drainage problems and pressure builds – often manifested with runny nose, itchy eyes or headache.
Symptoms should have resolved but pain persists? You could be experiencing a sinus infection. This infection is commonly caused by viruses found in colds and upper respiratory infections; should this be the case for you, your physician can provide medications to reduce inflammation and pain and clear away blockages in your sinuses.
Prescription medications alone may not be enough to address sinus congestion and pain; an Afrin nasal spray may also prove effective in managing it, while over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen may provide temporary relief. Surgery may also be required in extreme cases to remove tissue, growths, fluid or any other obstacles preventing the sinuses from draining effectively and healing properly.
Chronic swelling may also be the result of an inflammatory disease such as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), also known as Wegener’s Granulomatosis. GPA causes your immune system to attack blood vessels – including sinuses – in your body and can affect any part of it, including sinuses.
To prevent GPA-related swelling, you can try to limit exposure to irritants like smoke, dust and allergens; eating well-balanced meals and drinking lots of water may help; limit salt consumption as much as possible and consider switching up your salt consumption habits – your doctor may suggest prescription steroids or cell-damaging medicines as part of an overall therapy program to decrease inflammation or kill abnormal cells – however this condition typically only affects middle aged or older adults.
3. Infection
Following sinus surgery, it is not unusual to experience some drainage from the nose and nostrils. This is part of the recovery process and can be reduced with the application of a cool towel on your face to ease pain and speed healing. Bleeding should stop within a few days; otherwise it should contact a physician immediately for evaluation and treatment.
After nasal surgery, some patients may develop chronic or recurrent sinus infections due to poor wound healing or scarring. It’s important to discuss these symptoms with your physician as treatment could involve nasal stents (small tubes) or other procedures in order to maximize results and achieve the best possible results.
Most individuals can treat their sinus issues using medication such as antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays and decongestants. These may help improve symptoms and prevent infections; if medications alone fail, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) under general anesthesia may be required in order to widen sinus passageways for drainage and airflow through them.
Once surgery has taken place, it is crucial to get ample rest and avoid activities which could place strain or cause bruising for two weeks afterward. At your one week follow up appointment, an outer nasal dressing or splint should be removed so your physician can examine for signs of infection or excessive bruising.
Irrigating the nose with saline rinse spray from your local drugstore or using a neti pot filled with sterile isotonic saline solution is an effective way to keep sinuses moist and free of crusting. In addition, aspirin and other medications that promote bleeding should be avoided while recovering.
If you suffer from sinus issues, an evaluation by a facial plastic surgeon is key in order to ascertain their source and develop the most appropriate treatment plan. Their aim should be to decrease discomfort while still enabling you to live a full and productive life.
4. Stuffiness
Nasal congestion refers to a feeling of having a blocked nose. It is usually brought on by colds or allergies, and should resolve within a week; if not or you notice blockage that won’t go away quickly enough, this could indicate sinus infection requiring treatment with over-the-counter pain relievers and nasal sprays.
Sinus infections can be difficult to identify and treat. If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis or encounter episodes of nasal obstruction, consulting an ear, nose and throat surgeon could be beneficial in terms of diagnosis and treatment options available – these could include both surgical and non-invasive solutions that may help you breathe easier again.
When patients come to our clinic with ongoing facial discomfort, we always conduct an assessment for potential issues with temporal mandibular joints and nasal passages as well as chemical sensitivities and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
People suffering from deviated septums have two surgical options for correcting it: septoplasty or surgical straightening of the thin wall that separates your nostrils (septoplasty); or rhinoplasty, surgery that reshapes their nose and nostrils (rhinoplasty); both procedures can be performed in office in under 30 minutes each.
Non-surgical remedies for sinusitis include using saline rinses to thin mucus and reduce swelling in your nasal passages, a humidifier to make air more breathable in your home and take over-the-counter pain medications such as Acetaminophen, Advil or Aleve for pressure and pain associated with nasal congestion and use of steroid nasal spray which decreases inflammation while decreasing edema in your nose – these methods should all work effectively over time without side effects in adults.
Sinus infections are typically caused by viruses similar to those which cause colds or allergies, and if nasal congestion doesn’t improve after trying over-the-counter remedies for one week, seeing your physician should be considered. Common symptoms of sinusitis include blocked or runny nose, facial pain and pressure as well as yellow/green drainage from behind your throat.
