Sinus Center - Idaho: Learn about Sinuses

What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is the inflammation or infection of the mucous membranes that line the nose and sinuses. Sometimes the symptoms are very similar to a cold, allergy or other infection.

The sinuses are hollow air-filled spaces, or cavities, in the head. When a mucous membrane becomes inflamed or infected, it swells, thus blocking the drainage from the sinuses into the nose and throat and causing pressure and pain in the sinuses. Bacteria and fungus are more likely to grow in a sinus that is unable to drain properly.

Do I have Sinusitis?
How can you tell if your symptoms are sinus problems? Do you wonder why you have congestion in your nose? Are headaches troubling you? With the frequency of symptoms experienced by so many people, it is no wonder that physicians are focusing their efforts on the understanding of sinusitis.

While there have been many new methods of diagnosing and treating sinusitis, the critical factor is being certain you have obtained the correct diagnosis!

Here are some areas we consider when determining whether you have sinusitis:
Sinusitis shares many of the same symptoms of a cold or allergy. In order to get to the source of the problem several things might be needed:
• Your physician takes a complete history of your symptoms
• A nasal exam is performed with a small nasal telescope
• A CT scan of the nose and sinus is taken

How does one obtain an exact diagnosis and the right treatment?
Sinusitis can most accurately be defined by measuring the duration and types of symptoms. Sinus symptoms often overlap with allergy and cold symptoms, but with the following symptom combinatioins, one can obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Very Important

Less Important

• Facial pain or pressure

• Facial congestion or fullness

• Nasal obstruction

•Thick and discolored drainage

•Change in taste or smell

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Bad breath

• Fever

• Tooth pain

• Cough

• Ear pressure

Combinations of symptoms determine any type of sinusitis.
• At least TWO of the very important symptoms or
• ONE very important symptom and TWO less important symptoms
In order to assure what is causing your sinus and breathing discomfort, make an appointment with a sinus specialist.