NE Valley Times

Inflammation of the sinuses plagues millions of Americans each year, with facial pain a common symptom of chronic sinusitis.

Nasal inflammation is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue that lines the sinuses. Also known as sinusitis, this ailment blocks the air passageways, causing mucus to increase and potentially causing an infection. This type of ailment is very common and can be caused by something as simple as the common cold. Allergic rhinitis, or the  swelling of the lining of the nose, can also be a precursor of nasal inflammation. A deviated septum or a shift in the nasal cavity is another one of the ways that this agitation can begin, according to the American Sinus Institute.

Dr. Brian Lee, a board-certified ENT-otolaryngologist with Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center, says the link between facial pain and chronic sinusitis can be traced back to the fact that the sinuses aren't draining or ventilating properly. 

Dr. Brian Lee | Scottsdale Sinus & Allergy Center

“When the sinuses get inflamed, they swell shut and they trap air and mucus,” he told NE Valley Times. “When that sits and festers is where some of that pressure starts to build up and the sinus headaches is what you feel.”

Lee noted that balloon sinuplasty can be an effective treatment option to address chronic sinus issues by reestablishing normal drainage and allowing proper function of the sinuses and nose. Balloon sinuplasty is a relatively new, minimally invasive, in-office procedure that has been proven effective in solving patients' sinus issues, and the recovery time is usually only a day or two.

The American Sinus Institute reports four kinds of inflammation of the sinuses: acute, sub-acute, chronic and recurrent. The inflammation can last for a couple of weeks (acute inflammation) or result in repeated attacks over the course of a year, which is considered recurrent inflammation. 

According to the American Sinus Institute, an estimated 37 million Americans suffer from at least one instance of inflammation of the sinuses each year. For those who suffer from conditions like the blockage of drainage ducts, nasal polyps, narrow drainage ducts or nasal mucous membrane swelling, Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center may be able to provide relief.

Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center is offering a sinus quiz to help patients evaluate their symptoms.