Our Sinus Care Program
BID Plymouth's Sinus Care Division diagnoses and treats both acute and chronic sinusitis for patients. Treatment includes medication, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), and Minimally Invasive Balloon Surgery, also known as Balloon Sinuplasty.
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the head that are lined by mucous membranes that lead through small openings into the nasal cavity. When the mucous membranes become swollen and inflamed from infectious or allergic sources, the sinus openings into the nasal cavity become blocked. When this occurs, sinusitis develops resulting in more blockage and infection.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining caused by bacterial, viral and/or microbial infections; as well as structural issues like blockages of the sinus opening. If the sinus opening is closed, normal mucus drainage may not occur, which may lead to infection and inflammation of the sinuses.
There are two main categories of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Sinusitis is usually preceded by a cold, allergy attack or irritation from environmental pollutants. Often, the resulting symptoms, such as nasal pressure, nasal congestion, a "runny nose," and fever, run their course in a few days. However, if symptoms persist, a bacterial infection or acute sinusitis may develop. If sinusitis occurs frequently or lasts three months or longer, it may be chronic sinusitis.
Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Facial pain, pressure
- Nasal congestion or fullness
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose
- Teeth pain
- Loss of the sense of smell or taste
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Bad breath