It’s common knowledge that smoking affects your lungs, but you may not know it can also affect your sinuses. No matter if you smoke cigars, cigarettes, or vapes, the nicotine and toxins you inhale can mess with your nose’s natural function.
If you’re wondering how exactly smoking can affect your sinus health, keep reading from your Edinburg ENT team. Our experience in the ear, nose, and throat profession means we can help you!
Your nose has small hair-like particles called cilia that help protect your respiratory system from germs and move mucus along. Cigarettes and other smoking products can contain hydrogen cyanide and ammonia, damaging cilia. When you no longer have healthy cilia, you’re without protection against harmful pathogens and allergens.
Your nose is the first line of defense against sickness, and when the cilia in your nose aren’t functioning correctly, mucus begins to build up. The passages in your nose get clogged, and bacteria or viruses start attacking your sinuses, which can cause a frustrating and annoying sinus infection.
You don’t necessarily have to be a smoker yourself to be at risk for a sinus infection from inhaling smoke — sinus infections are also common among secondhand smokers. Sinus infections can be a result of just breathing in too much smoke.
Because damaged cilia cause mucus to build up in your nose, you may develop post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip occurs when built-up mucus starts leaking into your throat, leading to coughing or clearing your throat more often as your body tries to clear the blockages. This is known as a smoker’s cough.
As we’ve already established, smoking causes mucus to build up in the nasal cavity. This build-up may make you feel more congested, especially in the mornings. Smoking also increases the risk of developing sleep apnea.
While smoking does affect your body in many different ways, it’s never too late to quit! When you stop smoking, you may notice an improvement in your smoker’s cough, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes. While healing can take some time, it can do a world of good!
Keeping your sinuses healthy and happy is important since they can affect your sleep, breathing, and immune system! As you can see, smoking can damage so much of our nasal health. The smoke we breathe isn’t good and even affects our loved one’s health.
It’s hard to stop smoking, and we get that! If you’re finding it hard to quit, your doctor may be able to help you. Let our understanding and experienced ear, nose, and throat team at the Glatz Group help you get your sinuses back to protecting your body as they should!
Once you experience the sore throat, bad breath, and cough that comes with post-nasal drip, you’ll be looking for a way to treat it. Thankfully, post-nasal drip can be treated at home and the doctor’s office, so you won’t have to be uncomfortable for very long.
Learn how you can treat post-nasal drip at home and in the doctor’s office from your McAllen sinus specialists.
Post-nasal drip can be diagnosed by your doctor after a thorough examination, but there are some symptoms to look out for:
Post-nasal drip is quite common and it is likely to affect most people at some point in their lives. Knowing what symptoms to look out for can help you pinpoint the problem, and making an appointment with your sinus relief specialists can help you to get the proper treatment.
If you’re suffering from post-nasal drip, there may be at-home treatments you can do to resolve it. Although these are natural treatments that can be done at home, it is always best to consult your doctor before making any medical decisions.
Some at-home treatments you can try include:
By elevating your head, you are allowing gravity to drain the mucus from your nasal passages. This works best if you use multiple pillows to prop your head up against your headboard or couch.
Fluids, especially warm ones, can thin out your mucus and make it easier to pass through your nasal cavities. The fluids can also moisturize the lining of your nasal cavities, but stay away from caffeinated beverages, as they will dehydrate you.
Gargling with saltwater can loosen up the mucus and soothe your sore throat. To make the saltwater rinse, mix half a teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water. Repeat twice a day for the best results.
If your body is creating extra mucus due to the air being dry, a humidifier can help bring moisture back into the air and reduce mucus production.
A nasal rinse, also known as a sinus flush, can loosen thick mucus and allow for smoother passage through the nasal cavities. There are many nasal rinse options available at your drugstore, but it may be best to consult your doctor before choosing one yourself.
If at-home remedies are not working, it may be time to see your doctor for prescription treatments. Depending on the cause of your post-nasal drip, your doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid spray or an antibiotic if you are suffering from a bacterial infection of your sinuses.
Although post-nasal drip can be uncomfortable to deal with, there are many treatment options available to you. Your ENT can get to the root of what’s causing your post-nasal drip and prescribe the best treatment options for you.
Whether it’s an at-home or prescription treatment, it is always best to consult your doctor before moving forward with any medical decisions. Your McAllen sinus specialists will be happy to take a look at your post-nasal drip and prescribe the best treatment option for you.
If you’ve ever experienced a feeling of pain or pressure in your ear, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Perhaps it went away on its own, but if it has not, you may be wondering what could be causing this discomfort?
Today, your dedicated McAllen sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will present you with all the information you need on Eustachian tube dysfunction.
The Eustachian tubes run from the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. When functioning correctly, the tubes will open and allow air to flow through. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) happens when the tubes will not open properly and in some cases, become blocked. This creates a feeling of pain and pressure in the ear.
There are many different causes of ETD, and for many sufferers, the risk of dealing with ETD increases if they are coping with other existing illnesses. Common causes of ETD include:
Everyone experiences different symptoms, and they can vary due to the severity of your case. Some of the most common symptoms you may experience with ETD include:
If you suspect you are suffering from ETD, it is always best to visit an ENT you can trust to confirm your diagnosis.
There are a wide variety of treatments you can try for ETD, and depending on the severity, it may go away on its own. If that does not happen, here are a few treatment options you can try:
If your symptoms worsen, you develop a fever, or have lost any amount of hearing, it is best to give your McAllen sinus relief specialists a call.
At Glatz Group of Valley ENT, our Physician Assistant (PA) Jonathan Lerma, is certified in treating Eustachian tube dysfunction.
There are many different ways Lerma can diagnose Eustachian tube dysfunction. The first being an exam of your eardrum while you breathe deeply and swallow. He will look at how the eardrum responds and make a diagnosis from that. The second way is by using a tympanometer to measure the pressure inside your ear.
Certified through Stryker, P.A. Lerma is trained in the treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction. He will use a balloon dilation device to target the inflamed mucous and replace it with new, healthy mucous, relieving the pressure in your ear. This procedure has proven to be safe and effective for treating Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Eustachian tube dysfunction can have a variety of causes and treatments. At Glatz Group of Valley ENT, we are fully equipped to handle any case you bring our way!
If you or someone you know is suffering from allergy or sinusitis symptoms, look no further than seeing the Glatz Group for all your ear, nose, and throat relief needs.
Certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma devoted years of working by Dr. Frank R. Glatz’s side, and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have the means to take care of your allergies, sinuses, sleep apnea, and other throat conditions.
Allergy season has been unforgiving this year, but getting sinus relief has never been easier or safer with us. We understand that COVID-19 is still an ongoing health crisis and concern for many, and that’s why we provide telemedicine, online services that address 90-95% of your sinus or allergy problems from the safety of your home.
In-person appointments are also available upon request, and you can rest assured knowing that we are going above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients and staff by taking the following safety measures:
Every patient will be given undivided attention, with an ideal plan for relief sorted out based on their personal needs.
We provide a personalized approach to care and treatment of your hearing health. Our in-house audiologist can conduct same day hearing tests and assessments. Hearing disorders can be identified, diagnosed, and treated in patients of all ages, including infants, where we focus on:
If you sense that something isn’t right, it is best to schedule an appointment as symptoms can worsen and diminish your quality of life.
We can identify, diagnose, and treat nasal and sinus conditions in patients of all ages, including infants. We carefully evaluate patients’ treatment options and offer customized treatment plans for:
It is imperative to go through an examination if you experience any of the following listed above, as it can cause difficulty breathing, sleeping, and lead to serious health problems down the road if not treated.
Our team can detect and treat all kinds of throat, neck, and voice conditions such as:
It is worth noting that the ear, nose, and throat functions are interconnected, making it important to treat to prevent any concerns to further avoid other health issues later on in life.
This minimally invasive procedure is an effective, lasting alternative for patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication. If you suffer from sinusitis, you may want to consider if this is an option for you. We can determine if you are a candidate for this operation.
Our team is committed to resolving your sinus and allergy problems, whatever they may be. In fact, we guarantee it.
If you have trouble breathing, despite taking medication to relieve your symptoms, chances may be that you are actually suffering from a deviated septum. This condition can result in a number of issues that medicine simply cannot fix.
If you're looking to ease sinus-related symptoms caused by a deviated septum, look into having a balloon sinuplasty procedure done.
Today, your certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief specialists here at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT, can help those with deviated septums better understand how it can affect their breathing and sinuses, and what options are available to alleviate those symptoms.
Before understanding how deviated septums can impact your breathing and sinuses, we must first understand what the condition is.
A deviated septum is a physical disorder within the nasal septum, the part of the nose that separates the nasal cavity and forms the nostrils. The nasal septum is primarily made up of bone and cartilage, and is meant to symmetrically separate the nasal openings. When there’s a displacement in the nasal septum, the nasal passageways are no longer symmetrically separated. This creates a blockage in one of the nostrils.
The most common symptom of a deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are typically worse on one side, and sometimes take place on the side opposite the bend. In certain instances, the crooked septum may interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, leading to recurring sinus infections.
In other cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum may experience symptoms only when they are dealing with an upper respiratory tract infection. For these individuals, in particular, a respiratory infection will provoke nasal inflammation that temporarily intensifies airflow issues associated with the deviated septum. Once the cold has passed, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a slightly deviated septum usually resolve as well.
However, for individuals suffering from moderately to severely deviated septums, prolonging treatment will only increase the time you must deal with the symptoms. A deviated septum can result in:
There are several options that may be recommended or prescribed to help you deal with symptoms associated with a deviated septum, including:
It is worth noting that medications only treat the swollen mucous membranes and symptoms associated with a deviated septum BUT WILL NOT correct a deviated septum.
While balloon sinuplasty cannot straighten or correct a deviated septum, it can be used to help individuals obtain relief from sinus-related problems that are exacerbated by the condition.
This minimally invasive procedure does not require any bone or tissue to be removed. It simply uses a balloon catheter to widen the nasal cavity, helping to improve airflow and breathing for the patient. Once the balloon is inserted into the cavity of the affected region, it is slowly inflated to widen and remodel the sinuses.
The risks are small and the benefits can provide a comfortable life without breathing troubles.
As COVID-19 is still an ongoing health concern, we are doing everything in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and patients alike. For the sake of your comfort and peace of mind, we can address your symptoms online via telemedicine services or the phone.
If you need an in-office procedure, that can also be arranged upon request.
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure have several causes, including colds, the flu, and allergies. Regardless of your trigger, the symptoms that affect you can be quite bothersome, and even lead to headaches and other pains.
When you have a cold or are affected by allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passageways become inflamed and irritated, causing that stuffed up feeling. The membranes will then start to develop excess mucus to help flush out the source of the irritation, including any allergens.
With that being said, your certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are glad to offer the following fantastic tips to help you avoid nasal congestion.
While it can be difficult to completely prevent sinus pressure and congestion, taking the following measures can help keep infections and allergies at bay:
When you’re stuffed up, focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Sometimes people believe that dry air may help clear up a runny nose, but in reality, it has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will only irritate them more.
You’ll find that some of the preventative measures are also methods to treat nasal congestion from home. To keep your nasal passages moist, you can:
If you have nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more than seven days, even after using these approaches, it’s better to be proactive and seek options for relief through your local ENT specialists at Glatz Group.
If you have concerns about COVID-19, rest assured knowing that we’ve been following the CDC guidelines to ensure that our office is safe and clean for both our guests and staff. Thanks to telemedicine, we’ve been able to address 90 to 95% of our patients’ allergy symptoms online.
We also offer online consultations, phone calls, and in-person visits.
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Fall is only a few weeks away and, unfortunately, in the Rio Grande Valley, that means allergy sufferers will soon be dealing with plenty of nasal congestion and other breathing issues. When severe sinus symptoms last for weeks on end, the congestion and associated pain can be unbearable.
Are you tired of living with the discomfort of sinus problems? Thankfully, there is a solution.
Here at Glatz Group, our sinus relief specialists can identify, diagnose, and treat nasal/sinus conditions through a variety of customized treatment plans including balloon sinuplasty. Let your team at Glatz Group give you some insight on a few conditions that can best be treated by sinuplasty.
Your sinuses are air-filled spaces located throughout your skull and facial bones which make up a portion of the upper part of your respiratory tract. Sinuses produce mucus that helps to lubricate your nasal and drainage passages.
Sinuses are located:
Sinusitis can be caused by a number of different conditions such as allergic rhinitis or blockages. Regardless of the cause, sinusitis is an uncomfortable condition that causes inflammation of the sinuses, and which can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
The condition is often caused by bacterial infections but can also be caused by exposure to certain viruses or molds. The duration individuals can suffer from sinusitis varies, with acute sinus infections lasting anywhere between three to eight weeks, while chronic sinus infections can last much longer.
Symptoms of a sinus infection or chronic sinusitis can include:
At the Glatz Group, will work to identify the cause of your symptoms, and determine whether surgery is needed. A diagnosis can determine whether non-surgical remedies can be used to alleviate the condition, which may include antibiotics if the sinusitis has been caused by decongestants or infection.
After thorough assessment and care, and without improvement in your condition, the doctor may consult with you about surgery for your condition.
Some people suffer from nasal polyps, which are small growths that occur in the nasal passages. Symptoms of nasal polyps or other forms of blockage can include:
It’s important to communicate all of your symptoms, recurring and not, to your ENT doctor so that he/she can determine the best route of care.
Balloon sinuplasty technology is used to treat chronic or recurrent sinus infections (sinusitis) affecting the sinuses above your eyebrows as well as under/behind your eyes. The key objective of balloon sinuplasty is to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage. The procedure utilizes small balloons placed in key places in the nose and sinus, which are then dilated to expand the sinus pathways.
Balloon sinuplasty is an effective, lasting option for patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication. The balloon sinuplasty procedure is performed in our office, requires only local anesthesia, and in most cases, patients are able to resume normal activities within 48 hours.
Additional advantages of balloon sinuplasty include:
Your sinus relief specialists at Glatz Group will determine if your condition is one that may benefit from this treatment. With three convenient locations in McAllen, Weslaco, and Harlingen, the Glatz Group can easily accommodate your needs.
Breathe a sigh of relief and schedule an appointment to ease your sinus problems by contacting Glatz Group at (956) 631-2957.
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