Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2012 - (Page 10)

All Cl Is It sInusItIs? 10 | W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 inusitis is a very common problem affecting 37 million people in the United States each year. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or other microbial infections, and the symptoms can be worsened by allergies, environmental irritants or structural blockages in the nose. Many chronic sinusitis sufferers are treated with repeated courses of antibiotics, decongestants, steroids, antihistamines, nasal irrigation and various nasal sprays or other allergy treatments, such as allergy shots. Sometimes the infections are so chronic that these patients feel constant facial pressure and fatigue for such long periods of time they become “used to it” or forget what it is like to be without sinusitis. These patients have already maximized their treatment of allergies or control of environmental Common signs and symptoms of the condition irritants and would like to feel better. include: ◗◗ Facial pain, pressure, congestion or fullness How Surgery Can Help ◗◗ Nasal obstruction or blockage Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) ◗◗ Discharge of discolored mucus from the aims to relieve structural or mucosal obstrucnose tion of the sinuses with minimal damage to ◗◗ Discolored post-nasal drainage the rest of the nasal passages. The goal is to ◗◗ Loss of or altered sense of smell or taste widen or open up the natural paths for sinus ◗◗ Headache drainage. In chronic sinusitis, the natural ◗◗ Fatigue openings of the sinuses are often narrowed ◗◗ Pain in the upper teeth or completely closed because of inflamma◗◗ Cough tion from repeated infections, allergies, nasal ◗◗ Fever polyps, or other structural abnormalities. ◗◗ Bad breath Antibiotics given in this situation will kill the bacteria, but the sinuses are unable to drain the fluid—leaving the patient with persistent

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2012

Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2012
From the CEO
Health Beat
Crafting a New Life
All Clear
Heart Smart
Volunteer Spotlight

Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2012