Searching for an ENT Austin you trust? If you have a stuffy nose lingering for months or nasal infections that keep coming back, you're not the only one. Or maybe your snoring has your significant other leaving the bedroom for the couch or their own bed. These might seem like small inconveniences at first, but they can have long-term consequences. That's what Premier Sinus is here to treat! Keep reading to learn what signs warrant an ENT visit, what treatments may consist of, and how to select your doctor.
When Is It Time to See an ENT?
Here's the thing: we go for the nasal spray and wait it out and that's okay for a cold. But if your congestion is prolonged for more than 3 months or if you're getting 4-5 sinus infections annually, you may want to consider a different approach. Symptoms such as an ongoing stuffy nose, decreased overall sense of smell, recurring post-nasal drip, and pain behind the eyes may indicate a clog.
An ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist may be able to provide you with answers, by taking a look inside your nose through a tiny camera. This simple test may reveal whether swelling, a crooked septum, polyps or narrow drainage channels are causing your blocked nose. This way you won't waste time with more over-the-counter sprays!
Why Sinus Problems Stay So Long in Central Texas?
Austin is wonderful, but man, oh man does it mess with our noses! Dust, rain-mold, grass, cedar season, oak pollen..each one has it's turn to cause us misery. For years, folks have simply attributed it to 'just allergies' and used over-the-counter antihistamines, but eventually they begin to realize they need allergy treatment in Austin.
And here is the piece most people don't know: The allergic reaction causes your nose to swell on the inside. If those holes are swollen shut (those holes are where your sinuses drain), the mucus stays in your sinuses and the bacteria invade and you end up with a sinus infection too. The hole is closed for good so you can't treat one side of the cycle and think it will go away. A good doctor sees both the allergy and the anatomy and makes a plan.
What Premier Sinus Has to Offer
Premier Sinus is led by Dr. Shawn Allen, a Board Certified Otolaryngologist who completed additional years of fellowship training in rhinology or "nose and sinus" disorders. Join him is Dr. Daniel Leeman, a specialist in managing ENT problems in children and adults in Austin since 2000. Multiple locations provide convenient access to the Austin area.
For sinus issues, they treat everything from in-office balloon sinuplasty, sinus surgery, septoplasty (to address a crooked nose's septum), turbinate reduction, Eustachian tube balloon dilation (to treat ear fullness), and Clari Fix cryotherapy for bad runny noses. They also treat snoring and sleep apnea, including CPAP sleep study testing and, for some patients, an implantable device called a hypoglossal nerve stimulator. Not all sinus and allergy sufferers end up needing surgery, though: Sometimes, the right medications and the right diagnosis can actually do the trick.
Balloon Sinuplasty in Simple Words
And here's the so-what part: Balloon sinuplasty, which may initially sound a little frightening, is actually simple. A tiny, flexible balloon is inserted into your obstructed sinus opening and carefully inflated to expand the passage. The balloon is then deflated and removed and your sinuses will be able to drain again. In the office, Dr. Allen performs this procedure, and because it doesn't involve cutting away tissue or bone, the recovery time is quicker than traditional sinus surgery. Although many patients are able to return to work within a day or two, it's not right for everyone, which is exactly why that first visit is so important.
Snoring Is Not Only an Issue of Sound
We make jokes about snoring, but this may be hiding a more serious breathing problem. When we breathe through our nose, airflow can cause the back of the throat to vibrate. If your nose is blocked from a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, it can cause you to breathe through your mouth at night. But other times, the breathing pauses are caused by sleep apnea.
You may not even know you have it! Symptoms: Waking up with a dry mouth, awakenings and headaches in the morning, waking up tired, even after sleeping all night, if a spouse says "you're stopped breathing and you're gasping for air" Can a sleep apnea be harmful? Sleep apnea can put a strain on your heart over time, so don't take it lightly. An ENT will examine your nose, mouth and throat, discuss if you should take a sleep test and clearly talk about your options. For some snorers, clearing a blocked nose is life-changing. For others, it's just not the solution.
What to Expect the First Appointment
A friendly chat. The doc will ask about your symptoms, duration, treatments, sleeping and work implications. Then follow a bit of nasal inspection with a tiny camera. To scope or not to scope? If its not enough see inside your nose, an x-ray of your sinuses (CT scan) can be arranged so you understand exactly what is happening, better than most people with 10 years of sinus pain.
Great ENTs take their time getting you to the operating table. They begin with the most straightforward approach possible to your particular problem. Keep track of what medications you've already tried and take a diary of when your symptoms are most severe. You'll be amazed at how helpful this can be to your doctor.
How to Pick the Right ENT
Seek out board-certified specialists, and inquire whether their practice dedicates a significant portion to sinus and sleep topics. Find out whether treatments will be performed in the office. Pay attention to how well the doctor communicates and whether they is patient and unhurried. You should walk out feeling like you understand your options, not like you've been upsold.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a blocked nose, chronic sinus infections, or a snoring problem you simply cannot live with? If your medications have failed to ease your condition, the doctor can identify what's causing your problem and what to do about it. Looking for snoring treatment? Your first step is a thorough exam, to identify whether your problem is caused by your nose, your throat, or your sleep pattern. Premier Sinus will carefully evaluate, so you can stop wondering and start breathing – and sleeping – easy.
FAQs
What are the symptoms that I have to go to an ENT in Austin?
But if your sinus symptoms last more than three months or if you find you continually get infections, it's time. Reasons to make an appointment with your Austin ENT doctor include snoring that's especially loud, feeling like your ears are full and having a congested nose.
Is balloon sinuplasty painful?
You may describe it as a pressure sensation rather than as a stabbing pain. This in-office treatment, with or without local anesthesia or sedation, can require very little recovery time. Your physician will provide you with information about the specific procedure for you.
Can allergies really cause sinus infections?
Yes. Allergies lead to swollen sinus linings that block the sinuses' ability to drain. This trapped mucus then becomes a perfect incubator for infection. So, if you are looking for allergy treatment in Austin, you may also need your sinuses examined.
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