What causes sinus problems?
If you develop a sinus infection that does not clear after 10 to 14 days, talk to your doctor about antibiotics. Lastly, if you have recurrent sinus problems, you might talk to your doctor about surgery to clean and drain the sinuses. “Surgery is designed to take care of the anatomic issues and to remove the areas that are narrow and causing the blockage,” Albritton says. The newest methods are less invasive and use a balloon catheter like an angioplasty to dilate the opening of the sinuses and create wider spaces. Surgery is effective more than 80% of the time. Remember, most sinus infections can be treated with a combination of self-care measures, controlling allergies, and medical treatment. If self-care measures don’t prevent sinus problems further testing or a referral to an ears nose and throat specialist maybe in order.
