CHI - KentuckyOne Health (Western)

MORE ANTIBIOTICS ARE PRESCRIBED FOR SINUSITIS THAN ANY OTHER DIAGNOSIS. ANTIBIOTICS ARE ONLY EFFECTIVE ONSINUS INFECTIONS, NOT ALLERGY SYMPTOMS ALONE. SINUS HELP WITH SINUPLASTY "If you suffer from chronic sinusitis — symptoms lasting longer than three months — or a serious sinus condition, such as a deviated septum, you may want to consider surgical treatment," said Ron Shashy,MD, otolaryngologist with Ear, Nose and Throat Care at Saint Joseph East, part of KentuckyOne Health. "One of the available treatments is sinuplasty. This procedure is similar to an angioplasty for a heart condition in which a balloon opens a blood vessel, allowing better blood ow to the heart. A balloon sinuplasty opens up the sinuses, allowing them to remain open for better self-drainage which results in fewer infections." This procedure is simple and performed in the same manner as many dental procedures; patients remain awake but are numbed by a local anesthetic or numbing medication. Balloon sinuplasty isn't for everyone, but it can help relieve chronic sinus issues and symptoms. Talk with your doctor to see if this is a potential option for you. What's Causing Your Sneezing? SINUSITIS, OR A SINUS INFECTION, occurs when the lining of your sinus cavities becomes irritated and infected. Sinusitis is often confused with seasonal allergies because allergies can cause sinusitis, and both have similar symptoms, including: ¨¨Bad breath ¨¨Coughing ¨¨Headache ¨¨Nasal congestion and discharge ¨¨Pain in face ¨¨Sneezing "The best way to diagnose sinusitis is to look into the sinus cavities for pus, or in some cases have a computed tomography (CT) scan to look inside the sinuses," said Ron Shashy, MD, otolaryngologist with Ear, Nose and Throat Care at Saint Joseph East, part of KentuckyOne Health. "You may think you have allergies but learn after a CT scan that you've had a sinus infection the whole time." Another way of determining if you have bad allergies or a sinus infection is by noting how your symptoms respond to medications. If you start to feel better by taking over-the-counter allergy medications, you probably have allergies. Similarly, if your symptoms seem to clear up with a round of antibiotics, you more than likely have an infection. "If you struggle with allergies, you can try to treat seasonal or intermittent problems with antihistamines and topical nasal steroids," said Carl Paige, MD, internal medicine and pediatrics physician at KentuckyOne Health Primary Care Associates. "A more proactive approach would be avoiding those things that trigger your allergies. If avoidance is not possible or practical, then desensitization through immunotherapy may be an option." "Whether you suffer from bad allergies or sinusitis, the most important thing is making sure you're diagnosed correctly," Dr. Shashy said. "If you're not getting better — or not getting better to your satisfaction — you may want to consider getting another opinion." Are you suffering from allergies or chronic sinus infections? Visit KentuckyOneHealth.org to nd an ear, nose and throat specialist near you or get started with a primary carephysician. Ron Shashy, MD Carl Paige, MD ALLERGIES ASSESSMENT: ONE HEALTH | Spring 2016 3

• Cover