Nasal & Sinus Problems
Treating sinus & nasal problems
An estimated 35 million patients suffer from sinus infections each year. The term “sinusitis” describes an inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses that causes many symptoms, including nasal congestion, facial pain and pressure and nasal discharge.
Although most people think the infection is in the sinuses themselves, the underlying process actually involves the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity. For this reason, the term “rhinosinusitis” more accurately describes the disease.
In the history of the modern surgery for sinus and nasal problems, there have been three revolutionary advances. The first was the introduction and refinement of endoscopic techniques during the 1980s. The second was the advent of powered instruments during the 1990s. The third was the use of intraoperative image guidance during endoscopic sinus surgery.
At North Florida Otolaryngology Associates (NFOA), we have specialized training in identifying patients with sinonasal disease and can recognize the differences between patients with nasal allergy, viral upper-respiratory tract symptoms and bacterial rhinosinusitis. We know when to obtain a computed tomography (CT) scan, when to involve an allergist and when to proceed with surgery, though surgery is never our first option.
Treating severe sinusitis & nasal obstruction
Complicated sinus conditions can be more safely and effectively performed with CT image-guided functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Image guidance is a three-dimensional mapping system that combines real-time information and CT scans that show the exact position of surgical instruments using infrared signals.
This allows us to navigate surgical instruments precisely through complex sinus passages and provide greater surgical relief than traditional methods, all while decreasing discomfort and increasing safety.
Other treatment options
While avoiding environmental irritants is a key factor in managing chronic rhinitis, such lifestyle changes can be difficult in actual practice. We are highly experienced performing functional nasal surgery to improve airways for breathing and cosmetic nasal surgery to improve your appearance.
Allergies are more common than ever, affecting up to one-third of the population. People suffer with everything from allergic rhinitis and asthma to hay fever, eczema, food allergies, hives and sinusitis or rhinosinusitis. Patients with allergies will benefit from our advanced allergy management program, too.
For more information about leading-edge care for sinus and nasal problems, contact us our Baptist location at 398-5301 or our St. Vincent location at 387-3001.