When Should You See A Doctor About Sinus Problems?
Spring and autumn are meant to be celebrated. But for millions of Americans, these seasons spell misery, resulting in chronic allergy problems, colds and even the possibility of a sinus infection.
If allergies plague you throughout the year, it’s time to do something about it.
When You Should See A Doctors For A Sinus Infection?
When is it time to visit the doctor? Any time you’re having problems with your sinuses that are affecting your day-to-day life. We want to create an individual treatment plan to provide relief—particularly if medication isn’t making the situation much better.
A visit to the doctor is particularly important if:
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You have chronic sinus problems throughout the year.
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Your sinus issues keep you from doing the things that you enjoy.
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You develop frequent sinus infections that require antibiotic treatment.
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You’ve found that over-the-counter medication doesn’t relieve your symptoms.
What is the difference between a chronic and an acute sinus infection?
While the signs and symptoms of both chronic and acute sinusitis are very similar, chronic sinus infections last for at least 12 weeks.
During chronic sinusitis, the nasal passages remain swollen and inflamed despite several treatment attempts or use of over-the-counter medication. Acute sinusitis is a temporary infection that is most likely associated with a cold or virus.
If you have a chronic sinus infection, it’s time to schedule an appointment with one of our internal medicine physicians.
Do You Always Need Antibiotics For Sinus Infections?
Not always, and with the rise of “superbugs” that are resistant to antibiotics, this is not necessarily the best option for treatment. In fact, 85 percent of sinus infections go away on their own after one-to-two weeks, according to information from Harvard Medical School.
However, if your infection falls into the remaining 15 percent that do not get better, antibiotics are needed.
According to information from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, antibiotics may also be needed if:
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There is a thick, colorful discharge coming from the nose.
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You’ve experienced facial pain for more than 10 days.
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Your condition improved but then got worse.
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You have facial tenderness (particularly around the nose or eyes).
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You have dental pain.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms for more than a week, we encourage you to schedule an appointment.
Why are internal medicine physicians the best choice for sinus infection treatment?
Our physicians concentrate on the entire body, paying careful attention to how its systems interact. This gives our internists a deeply focused perspective on not only alleviating symptoms, but prescribing a form of treatment to help relieve your chronic allergies.
Often, treatment begins with determining if your chronic sinus problems are caused by allergies and if so, what substance is causing the irritation. In this case, allergy testing can provide vital information.
Not sure if an allergy test is right for you? We created a blog with a list of three questions you should consider in order to get the answer.
Allergies can be treated with prescription or over-the-counter medication. However, if you have chronic problems, you should consider immunotherapy, which is sometimes referred to as “allergy shots.”
This process allows your body to decrease its sensitivity to certain allergens, providing long-lasting relief. The benefits of immunotherapy continue long after the treatment has ended.
If you want to know more, check out our earlier blog, “What Is Immunotherapy for Allergy Treatment?”
NEED MORE INFORMATION ON SINUS AND ALLERGY TREATMENT?
Take a moment to review our comprehensive library that provides extensive educational blogs about sinus problems and allergy treatments.
5 Ways Allergies Slow You Down
3 Solutions for Common Sinus Problems
EXPERTISE COMBINED WITH CONVENIENCE CREATE AN EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE
We want to be your medical home, and we also want to make it as convenient as possible for you to get the care you need. This is why we have a Saturday Sick Clinic for urgent issues where you can speak with our excellent team of physician assistants and nurse practitioners. In addition, we’ve also implemented Phreesia, which is the nation’s leading Patient Intake Management Solution. This means your check-in and payment process is easier and more streamlined than before. Schedule an appointment with us today.
