LAX Leader

Sinus infections, also referred to as sinusitis, can be a common condition, but it is important when to know to see a doctor. 

Dr. Jeffrey Feinfield, a specialist at Bella Vista ENT, encourages those with persistent symptoms to seek care. 

"Sinusitis affects so many aspects of patients' lives, from chronic headaches to nasal blockage and it really, really weighs down someone's quality of life. We can actually relieve that pressure, relieve that pain and get their sinuses functioning again. When you do this, you then have a real happy patient, and that is what I find so rewarding to be able to finally diagnose and fix a problem," he said. 

Sometimes antibiotics are used to treat sinusitis, but only if most other options have failed. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the creation of “superbugs."

Another option would be a balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive way to possibly help relieve chronic sinusitis.

"Balloon sinuplasty enables us to dilate a block sinus We can reestablish the proper drainage pathway. Another treatment that's really great, and it seems like a small problem, but a lot of people suffer from chronic runny nose and it's embarrassing," Feinfield said. "Sufferers have to keep kleenex wherever they are. Often the medicines that we have to treat rhinitis don't work. We have a newer technique is called cryotherapy ablation of the nose and it's called Clara fix. With cryotherapy we actually identify the nerve that causes the nose to secrete and we're able to freeze the nerve ending without causing any other destruction of nasal tissue."

 In some rare cases, unchecked sinusitis can lead to meningitis, brain abscess or bone infection. 

Chronic sinusitis can make it hard to enjoy everyday life. If you think a specialist could help, take this quiz.