NW Riverside News

• Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue. 
• Short-term sinusitis could be caused by something such as a common cold, but chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection or some other ailment.
• Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis.

Inflammation of the sinuses is one of the key indicators of chronic sinusitis, a condition that affects many Americans. According to Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free, sinus inflammation will only get worse the longer it goes untreated.

"The sinus openings structurally, for many people, are extremely narrow, and if you get even just a little bit of inflammation to shut them down, that leads to stagnation and blockage of airflow through the sinus," Dr. Hershcovitch told NW Riverside News. "When that happens, you end up with this bacterial overgrowth that consumes the sinus, causing pain, pressure, drainage, headaches—you name it. Allergies are often a trigger. When this happens and the sinuses get blocked, the inflammation actually worsens, which causes more stagnation of flow, which makes it even worse, and you just end up in this negative feedback loop."

Nasal inflammation, also referred to as sinusitis, involves the inflammation or swelling of the sinus lining, according to the American Sinus Institute. This condition can obstruct air passages, leading to increased mucus production and the potential for infection. It's a relatively common issue, often triggered by something as simple as the common cold. Additionally, allergic rhinitis, which involves swelling of the nasal lining, can contribute to nasal inflammation. Another possible cause is a deviated septum or a structural shift within the nasal cavity, which can also initiate this condition.

Nearly 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of acute nasal inflammation each year, according to the American Sinus Institute. Those who suffer from conditions such as blockage of drainage ducts, nasal polyps, narrow drainage ducts, nasal mucous membrane swelling, or those whose medications compromise the immune system could be at greater risk for this condition. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke may also be more likely to have an attack.

According to WebMD, your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When the sinuses become inflamed—usually due to an allergic reaction or an infection—they swell, produce more mucus, and the channels that drain them can become blocked. The buildup of pressure in your sinuses can cause pain that feels similar to a headache.

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon catheter dilation surgery, is a procedure to clear blocked sinuses. According to Healthline, this procedure is relatively new, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. Balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis after other treatments for their condition have proven ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal.

According to SoCal Breathe Free's website, Dr. Hershcovitch received his undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He continued his education at the State University of New York for medical school. Dr. Hershcovitch finished his residency training in head and neck surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and completed his training with a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University.