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826 Main Street
Suite 201
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
Tel: 610-415-1100
Fax: 610-415-1101
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1201 County Line Road
Suite 101
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
Tel: 610-520-0900
Fax: 610-520-0920
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
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5 South Sunnybrook Road
Suite 300
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
Tel: 610-326-3600
Fax: 610-326-4466
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255 Gordon Drive
Suite 101
Lionville, PA 19341
Tel: 610-524-5300
Fax: 610-524-0100
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeons — Sinus Surgery — Philadelphia and Roxborough
Have you ever experienced a cold that just would not go away? You may be suffering from sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses. Sinusitis is a very common health condition in the Untied States. In fact, more than 37 million people suffer from sinusitis each year. However, sinusitis can be treated with over-the-counter medications, antibiotics, septoplasty, and sinus surgery by our ear, nose, and throat surgeons in Philadelphia near Roxborough. At Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat, we offer the most advanced treatments to help sinusitis sufferers find relief from their symptoms so they can get back to their normal routines.
Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissues of the sinuses that usually precedes a cold or an allergy attack. The sinuses become inflamed and cannot drain mucus properly, which causes congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain and swelling, redness, dental pain, nausea, and other symptoms.
Chronic Sinusitis
If acute sinusitis is left untreated, it may become chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis, one of the most common chronic illnesses, is characterized by a constant sinus infection that lasts more than three months. Although chronic sinusitis may have symptoms that are less severe than those of acute sinusitis, it could lead to sinus damage that may only be repairable through surgery performed by one of our ear, nose, and throat surgeons.
Sinus Treatments and Surgery
Sinusitis can be treated in a variety of ways. Sufferers of the condition can find relief from their symptoms by using humidifiers to moisturize the air and help mucus move through the sinuses or by using saline nasal sprays to moisturize the nasal cavity. Over-the-counter medications may also help to improve sinus symptoms. If more treatment is needed, our ear, nose, and throat surgeons can recommend antibiotics or even perform sinus surgery at our Philadelphia practice near Roxborough.
Antibiotics
Acute sinusitis can be treated with special antibiotics; however, patients suffering from chronic sinusitis may be prescribed intensive antibiotic therapy. It is important for patients to take all antibiotic medications prescribed by our ear, nose, and throat surgeons to prevent the growth of populations of microbes with antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics for chronic or acute sinusitis can be taken in combination with over-the-counter remedies such as nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines for the best possible relief from sinus symptoms. When both antibiotics and over-the-counter medications fail to provide relief, sinus symptom sufferers may need to undergo surgery.
Septoplasty
A common cause of chronic sinusitis is deviated septum, a condition in which the dividing wall of the nose is off-center or crooked, resulting in a narrowed nasal airway. To treat this condition, a patient may undergo septoplasty, a non-cosmetic surgical procedure that allows one of our ear, nose, and throat surgeons to address the issue of a deviated septum. The airway is opened up by removing or repositioning parts of the septum.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
In addition to antibiotics and sinus surgery at our Philadelphia practice near Roxborough, a number of over-the-counter medications exist that can effectively relieve common allergy symptoms, nasal congestion and inflammation, and sinus pain and pressure. Many of these medications use a combination of pain relievers, antihistamines, and decongestants to accomplish these tasks and to reduce the patient’s likelihood of developing sinus complications. There are several types of over-the-counter sinus medications that individuals can choose from, depending on the probable cause of the sinus symptoms. These medications include medicated and non-medicated nasal sprays, decongestants, antihistamines, and combination medications.
Medicated Nasal Sprays
Recommended by our ear, nose, and throat surgeons, medicated nasal sprays are decongestants that work quickly to clear swollen and congested nasal membranes. These sprays are safe and effective at treating colds and other viral infections in their initial stages, in addition to allergies. Medical nasal sprays must be used frequently, but should not be used for more than three to five days to prevent rebound congestion.
Common Medicated Nasal Sprays:
- Afrin™ Nasal Spray
- Dristan™ Nasal Spray
- Otrivin™
- Neo-Synephrine™
Non-medicated Nasal Sprays
In addition to medicated nasal sprays, our ear, nose, and throat surgeons also recommend non-medicated nasal sprays for sinus relief. Non-medicated nasal sprays are saline-based solutions that work to moisturize nasal membranes, thus loosening up thick mucus and other secretions. Unlike with medicated nasal sprays, there is no risk of addiction or rebound congestion with saline sprays. Saline sprays can be made at home by mixing ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized salt with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and one cup of boiled water.
Decongestants
The ear, nose, and throat surgeons at our Philadelphia practice also recommend decongestant medications, which are non-drowsy treatments that temporarily relieve nasal swelling and chest and sinus congestion by reducing blood flow to nasal membranes. This effect enables the person to breathe better and reduces pressure in the sinuses and head. However, decongestants do not relieve runny noses, nor do they treat the causes of inflammation. Some decongestant medications include pain relievers to reduce the number of pills that the individual must take. These combination pills are effective at reducing symptoms related to colds and the flu. Some people who take decongestant medications may experience nervousness or giddiness, as well as trouble falling or staying asleep.
Common Decongestants:
- Sudafed™
- Afrin™
- Tylenol™ Sinus
- Advil™ Cold and Sinus
Antihistamines
For people with certain problems, our ear, nose, and throat surgeons recommend antihistamine medications, which effectively combat allergy and sinus problems that lead to congestion, itching, sneezing, and more. Antihistamines also reduce nasal drainage associated with inflammation. Most antihistamines cause drowsiness and grogginess, although new antihistamine products exist that prevent sedation.
Common Antihistamines:
- Benadryl™
- Tavist™
- Dimetane™
- Teldrin®
Combination Medications
Some medications combine the allergy-fighting effects of both decongestants and antihistamines for the ultimate sinus relief. Combination medications relieve multiple symptoms, including drainage, congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and more. Combination medications are known to cancel out the drowsiness associated with antihistamines and the nervousness associated with decongestants.
Sinus Surgery
Sometimes antibiotics and over-the-counter remedies are not enough to treat severe sinus problems. When severe sinus problems aggravate asthma and other medical conditions or when tumors or polyps form in the sinus cavity, our ear, nose, and throat surgeons may recommend sinus surgery at our Philadelphia practice near Roxborough. We offer two different kinds of sinus surgery to help alleviate problematic sinus symptoms:
- Acute Sinus Surgery – Sometimes, oral and intravenous antibiotics are not enough to relieve facial pain and pressure associated with acute sinusitis. Surgical drainage may be necessary to flush out the sinuses. Sinus irrigation surgery uses a saline solution to drain and flush out mucus that becomes trapped in the sinuses.
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery – Endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure in which diseased tissue is removed through the nose in an attempt to clear the sinus cavity and help restore normal flow to the sinuses. Endoscopic sinus surgery can also be used to straighten the septum or to remove polyps and tumors in the sinus cavity.
- Balloon Sinuplasty™ – Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is an endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. The FDA-cleared technology uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage. Click here to learn more.
Contact our practice for more information on the sinus surgery procedures that our ear, nose, and throat surgeons in Philadelphia near Roxborough offer.
Contact Our Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeons
Our ear, nose, and throat surgeons offer sinus surgery and other treatments to Philadelphia and Roxborough patients. Contact our practice to learn more about your treatment options.