Symptoms

• Stuffy, congested, or blocked nose
• Pain or pressure in the face or head
• Long-lasting cold symptoms
• Symptoms that last more than 10 days
• Thickened nasal drainage

Treatments

Most cases of acute sinusitis are caused by a virus, not bacteria, and should not be treated with antibiotics. Acute viral sinusitis may be treated using pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, steroid nasal sprays, or salt water irrigation in the nose. These treatments are also good options for acute bacterial sinusitis. Some patients with acute bacterial sinusitis may get better faster with an antibiotic. Balloon sinuplasty is an endoscopic procedure performed under general anesthesia for chronic sinusitis.

Symptoms

• Difficulty breathing
• Nosebleeds
• Sinus infections
• Noisy breathing during sleep
• Mouth-breathing during sleep

Treatments

Septoplasty is the preferred surgical treatment to correct a deviated septum. This procedure is typically not performed on young children, unless the problem is severe, because facial growth and development are still occurring. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that is usually performed through the nostrils, so there is no bruising or outward sign of surgery; however, each case is different and special techniques may be required depending on the individual patient.

Symptoms

• Wheezing sound when breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Tightness in the chest
• Pain in the chest

Treatments

Treatment for asthma is designed to decrease inflammation and swelling in the lung passages. Often, patients start with inhalers, which are handheld devices that puff medication into your lungs through your mouth. When inhalers do not fully control symptoms, oral pills can be helpful to decrease inflammation, fight infection, and open the passages to the lungs. One of the most important parts of treating asthma is avoiding things that make asthma worsen. Paying close attention to what triggers your breathing issues can help identify what makes your asthma worse.

Symptoms

• Feeling of mucus drainage in throat
• Frequent swallowing
• Throat clearing
• Raspy or gurgling speech
• Sore irritated throat
• Feeling a lump in the throat

Treatments

Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, nasal spray, decongestants, and nasal saline irrigations. For chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required. Antihistamines, decongestants, cromolyn and steroid nasal sprays, or oral steroids may offer relief. Measures that allow mucus secretions to pass more easily may be recommended. Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and if possible avoiding diuretics will help. Mucous-thinning agents make secretions thinner. Saline nasal irrigations alleviate thickened secretions.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Displaced bone or cartilage
• Changes in the shape of the nose
• Nose bleed
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Collection of blood
• Swelling
• Bruising of nose and eyelids

Treatments

If your nose is broken so badly that it needs to be repositioned, you have several options. Your nose can be repaired in the office in some situations, but some situations require general anesthesia. The bones will be repositioned and held in place with a cast.In the first two weeks after the injury, your doctor may offer you this kind of repair, or a similar approach using general anesthesia in the operating room.

Symptoms

• Loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Waking up with dry / sore throat
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Morning headache
• Mood changes, difficulty concentrating
• High blood pressure / heart issues

Treatments

An examination can reveal the underlying cause of the snoring. A sleep study in a laboratory or at home may be necessary to determine if snoring is due to OSA. OSA is most often treated with a device that opens the airway with a small amount of positive pressure. This pressure is delivered by an appliance through either the nose and/or mouth that is worn during sleep. This treatment is called continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, and it is currently the initial treatment of choice for patients with OSA.

Symptoms

• Anterior / Front - one or both nostrils
• Posterior / Back - may enter throat

Treatments

Anterior - When dry air is believed to be the cause of the nosebleed, it may result in crusting, cracking, and bleeding. This can be prevented by placing a light coating of saline gel, petroleum jelly, or an antibiotic ointment on the end of a Q-tip and gently applying it inside the nose, especially on the middle portion of the nose (the septum). Posterior - Generally, treatment includes cautery and/or packing the nose. The nose may be packed with a special gauze, sponge, or an inflatable balloon to put pressure on the blood vessel; most of these need to be removed in two to three days.

Symptoms

• Nasal blockage or congestion
• Sneezing
• Runny nose or postnasal drainage
• Itchy Nose

Treatments

Treating rhinitis depends on the specific cause or diagnosis. If there is a specific trigger that can be avoided, this may be a successful treatment. Often, medications are used to control symptoms. Some of the medications that may be used include: Intranasal saline spray / rinse, Antihistamines, Corticosteroids, Ipratropium bromide intranasal spray.For allergic rhinitis, allergen immunotherapy may be an option.

Symptoms

• Decreased or absent sense of smell
• Decreased sense of taste
• Nasal blockage or congestion
• Nasal inflammation

Treatments

After looking for the cause, your ENT specialist may decide to treat a nasal inflammation or obstruction. This may involve topical and/or oral medications to reduce inflammation, antibiotics, or surgery inside the nose. Treatment for permanent loss of smell includes environmental safety recommendations and proper chemical detectors in the home. It also may include nasal rinses, smell retraining therapy, and certain supplements that may be helpful.