Sinus doctors are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the sinuses. These experts have a deep understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the sinuses and help patients find relief from a variety of problems. Here are four common problems that sinus doctors treat.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. It can be caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, structural issues within the nasal cavity, or environmental elements such as smoke or pollution. Symptoms include facial pain, sinus pressure, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and bad breath. Your sinus doctor will typically suggest treatments based on your symptoms, including:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Decongestants for congestion
• Antihistamines for allergies
• Surgery if there is a structural issue causing the infection

Deviated Septum 

The Cleveland Clinic states a deviated septum occurs when "the cartilage and bone that separates the nasal cavity is off-center." This misalignment can make breathing difficult through one side of your nose and cause chronic congestion in your nasal passages due to the blockage. Treatment for this condition typically includes medications to reduce swelling and open up the airways in your nose so you can breathe better. However, surgery may be necessary if these treatments are ineffective in alleviating symptoms. 

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are small growths that form on the inside of your nose due to chronic inflammation caused by allergies or other medical conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. They can cause nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through one side of your nose, loss of smell or taste, frequent headaches, and snoring. Postnasal drip, or mucous draining down the back of your throat, is also an issue with nasal polyps. A sinus doctor typically treats nasal polyps with medications such as corticosteroids which help shrink polyps, or they may surgically remove them.

Sinus Headache

Another common sinus problem that sinus doctors regularly treat in their office is sinus headaches, which are caused by inflammation of your sinus cavities due to seasonal allergies, colds, or other infections. The facial pressure leads to headaches centrally located in the area of the sinus cavity. Like the other sinus issues above, the sinus doctor will treat the underlying symptoms to reduce the inflammation.

Sinus doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to our sinuses. If you're experiencing any kind of discomfort, from congestion to headaches, it's best to visit a doctor who specializes in these types of conditions so they can properly diagnose and treat you. With proper treatment from a qualified expert, you should feel relief soon.