The Problem with Nasal Polyps

Patients suffering from nasal polyps have many questions. This frustrating medical condition causes chronic sinus infections and chronic severe congestion. Sometimes the polyps can be so severe that they will be visible hanging out of the nose. There are two main causes of nasal polyps. They occur secondary to persistent sinus infection that doesn't resolve with medical treatment. The chronic inflammation from the infection causes swelling and eventual polyp formation. Successful treatment of the infection and removal of the polyps has an excellent chance of a long term cure without polyp recurrence. This is typically performed with a simple office procedure called balloon sinuplasty. Allergy can also produce polyps. Although surgical therapy can help alleviate the polyps they will tend to recur if the allergy is not managed well. Nasal sprays, antihistamines and immunotherapy can be used to help prevent the recurrence. A visit with an ENT doctor can help identify the cause and help develop a long term plan for success. Daniel Slaughter, MD

Saving Sinuses with Saline

If you're one of the millions of Americans dealing with sinus problems, you know how miserable facial pain and clogged nasal passages can be. Many sinus sufferers have turned to nasal saline irrigation, a therapy that uses a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal passages. Many people with sinus symptoms from allergies and environmental irritants use the Neti pot, or other nasal irrigation device, to alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure. Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments. Nasal irrigations thin mucus and help flush it out of the nasal passages. They may also be effective at removing allergens and other irritants that cause sinus problems. Other typical treatments used with nasal irrigations include allergy medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroids. Patients with persistent nasal obstruction or sinus congestion despite these therapies may benefit from simple clinic procedures such as turbinate reduction to open the nasal airway and balloon Sinuplasty to open blocked sinus passages. If these procedures are appropriate for you, your ENT surgeon will typically use nasal saline irrigations postoperatively to expedite the healing process. Nasal saline irrigations are effective tool used by patients and physicians alike to treat chronic sinonasal complaints. Zachary Wassmuth, MD

Do I have a bacterial sinus infection or cold virus?

Now that school is back in session, we will begin to see lots of upper respiratory infections. Some of these will run their course and resolve without therapy, others should be treated, but how do you tell the difference? The basic distinction between these illnesses is viral versus bacterial, but it is usually very difficult to tell them apart. Both can cause cough, fever, discolored nasal discharge, sore throat, and headache. We generally recommend that viral upper respiratory illnesses be treated without antibiotics, instead using medications to treat the symptoms. Decongestant medications like Sudafed, cough suppressants, and mucus thinners like guaifenesin can be helpful. The viral upper respiratory illnesses will usually get better between five and seven days later, while bacterial infections last longer. In many instances, we first get sick with a viral infection, and a bacterial infection will take over after about five or six days. As you can tell, the timing of the infection is usually how we differentiate the two. It is possible to take cultures, and look for bacteria under the microscope when the illness is severe. Obviously there are other illnesses that can have some of the same symptoms mentioned above, even allergies can mimic one of these two illnesses; however, if you have a nasal/sinus infection that isn’t getting better after 5-6 days, it’s time to see the doctor. If you are getting these types of infections more than twice a year, it’s time to see your friendly neighborhood ENT doctor. Christopher Thompson, MD