Sinusitis is a common problem, and if you suffer from it, you are already familiar with the breathing difficulties, headaches, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Your allergist is an expert at diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis and can help you breathe better.

Sinusitis resembles other conditions, with common symptoms like these:

• Frequent sneezing or coughing
• Pressure and pain around your eyes
• Recurrent headaches or fever
• Pain in your nasal passages
• Discolored nasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing through your nose

Sinusitis can be acute, with a sudden onset due to exposure to a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Sinusitis can also develop into a chronic inflammation of your sinuses due to allergies and other causes.

For mild, occasional sinusitis, you can try a few simple remedies like these:

Using a saline solution to irrigate your nasal passages–this helps to clean nasal passages and keep them open.

Placing a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom–this helps to moisten the air, which can soothe your sinuses.

Taking over-the-counter mucus thinning medications, decongestants and topical nasal decongestant sprays for 3 to 5 days–this helps to clear up mucus and open nasal passages.

For moderate to severe, or chronic sinusitis, it’s best to visit your allergist, who has several effective ways to treat sinusitis. Your allergist may recommend:

• Prescription antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants
• Allergy treatment if your sinusitis is allergy related
• Oral or nasal corticosteroids to reduce nasal and sinus inflammation

For chronic sinusitis, your allergist may also recommend balloon sinuplasty, which is an outpatient procedure.

A thin tube containing a small balloon at one end is inserted into your, nostril. It’s guided up into your sinuses, and if a blockage is encountered, the balloon is inflated.

The sinus is opened, and the balloon is deflated and removed. Balloon sinuplasty is much less invasive than traditional sinus surgery and requires little to no downtime.

You deserve to breathe better, so if you suffer from sinusitis, call your allergist today.