There are a number of factors that can trigger a sinus infection. Though you don’t need to have nasal polyps to get a sinus infection, chances are that if you have nasal polyps, you’ve probably suffered from one or more sinus infections. If you’re having difficulty breathing or keep getting sinus infections that you just can’t seem to shake, Dr. Yeung and our team of ENT specialists at Houston Sinus Surgery offer a number of solutions to help you breathe easy and continue enjoying your quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms of Nasal Polyps
If the polyps are relatively small and aren’t blocking your nasal passage, you may not experience symptoms right away. But if nasal polyps are responsible for your sinusitis, some of the symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Headaches
- Facial pain or pressure
- Snoring
- Nosebleeds
Nasal polyps result from inflammation in the mucous membrane and anyone can get them, but there are a few underlying medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, infection, cystic fibrosis, and immune issues. On the flip side, nasal polyps can also trigger problems like obstructive sleep apnea, which causes momentary pauses in breathing throughout the night while a person sleeps.
When to Seek Help for Your Sinus Infections
There really is no way to know for sure if you have nasal polyps without an exam. And because many sinus infection symptoms overlap with the common cold and flu, many people understandably put off going to the doctor until the symptoms become unbearable and interfere with school, work, and social activities. If your symptoms don’t clear up and improve within a week to 10 days, or clear up and keep coming back, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yeung.
Treating Nasal Polyps
If your nasal polyps are causing frequent sinus infections and over-the-counter medication and antibiotics for bacterial infections aren’t helping, Dr. Yeung may recommend balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that helps to open a blocked nasal passage. In rare cases, the polyps may have to be removed surgically through an endoscopic procedure known as FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery), which is also minimally invasive. Dr. Yeung is a pioneer of FESS in the Houston area and has a successful track record with over 4,000 procedures to date. Treatment typically starts on the conservative end of the spectrum depending on your symptoms and how well you respond to treatment.
Frequent sinus infections can be debilitating, but a number of options are available to help you recover. For more information about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for nasal polyps, call Houston Sinus Surgery today to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online.
