If your sinus symptoms get worse as the temperatures drop, there’s one thing that’s certain -- it’s not just in your head.
While sinus inflammation most commonly takes place during the spring and summer months because of seasonal allergies, there are plenty of people who suffer from sinusitis year-round. For certain individuals, sinus symptoms actually increase during fall and winter.
There are several factors that can aggravate the sinuses and trigger winter sinus flare-ups. Cold weather usually means drier air, both outside and indoors, due to heating in the home. Breathing in drier air can make your nose dry out and develop extra mucus, which can thicken and result in congestion and inflammation.
You can, however, take steps to help keep your sinuses in check this winter.
Today, your local McAllen certified physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his loyal team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will list 5 strategies to help you avoid winter sinus flare-ups and protect your sinuses.
Indoor allergens such as dust and pet dander are common triggers of sinusitis. Rugs, blankets, upholstered furniture, and winter bedding tend to collect extra allergens, which can make your sinusitis worse. These triggers may intensify during the winter months since there may be less air circulation in your home and pets may be spending more time indoors.
Vacuuming and dusting with a damp cloth frequently can help lessen your exposure to allergens and other sinus-irritating particles. It can also be beneficial to make sure your winter bedding is dry and dust-free.
One of the most important steps you can take to help ease winter sinus issues is to make sure the air you’re breathing is of the best quality possible.
Using a humidifier will help fight the dry air that comes from heating your home and to keep your sinuses moist. Also, running a HEPA air filter to eliminate irritating particles and allergens in the air can help your whole respiratory system function better.
Taking a hot shower and using steam is a simple, effective remedy that can help relieve sinus pressure and headaches. The steam from a hot shower may support the thinning and loosening of mucus and congestion, allowing for better drainage.
The combination of moisture and warmth can soothe the irritation of the nasal passageways, and in particular cases, may help clear up a stuffy nose, at least temporarily.
Using a neti pot or other nasal irrigation tool is a great way to help alleviate sinus congestion. With regular use, it can help to keep sinus symptoms at bay while maintaining sinus health.
These instruments work by flushing out clogged sinuses and nasal openings with a saline solution. Rinsing daily helps to keep the nose and sinuses clear and moisturized, while also ridding your passageways of irritants, allergens, and bacteria that can cause an infection.
It’s critical to use only filtered, boiled, or distilled water, and to properly clean the pot after every use. Don’t use water straight from the tap.
Winter is the prime season for the cold, flu, and other viruses that provoke inflammation of the nasal passages, congestion, and the thickening of mucous. Catching a cold can make you more susceptible to having further sinus troubles, and when symptoms persist, it may result in a sinus infection.
To protect your sinus health, take precautionary measures to avoid getting sick. Basic measures to help keep your immune system strong include:
Feel like you’ve tried everything and are still stuck with chronic sinus symptoms? If your winter sinus flare-ups just won’t seem to disappear, it may be time to visit your local ENT at Glatz Group of Valley ENT.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise this winter, we will keep offering alternative methods to have your symptoms addressed with telemedicine, where you can be assisted without leaving your home. For in-person appointments, we ensure that all precautionary steps are being taken every day -- and we also take calls.
Take control of your sinusitis this winter. Enjoy the season without sinus troubles when you stop by The Glatz Group of Valley ENT!
Any viral infection of the ears, nose, sinuses, or throat is referred to as an upper respiratory infection, or a URI.
These types of infections can be spread through direct contact, a cough, or a sneeze. While the most typical URI is the common cold, sinus infections, sore throat, and ear infections are other examples of URIs that can arise.
URIs frequently affect individuals mostly during fall and winter months, when the weather cools down. However, they can also happen in the spring and summer months. Most of the time, a URI is no big deal and goes away on its own within a week or so. Unfortunately, there are cases that may require medical attention or even some form of surgery.
Your McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are here to help you understand what causes respiratory infections and offer some solutions.
If you have an upper respiratory infection, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
You can also have these symptoms with other conditions such as the flu, allergies or a bacterial infection. Most upper respiratory infections last from a few days to two weeks and cause no lasting issues.
Many upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. In fact, over 200 viruses can lead to symptoms similar to a cold. You’re more likely to suffer from an upper respiratory infection in the winter months when you spend more time indoors. Being in close contact with people who are sick also increases your risk.
Unfortunately, the viruses that cause upper respiratory infections are contagious and can spread easily from person to person, and can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Viruses can also access your nose and throat through the air, when someone with an upper respiratory tract infection coughs or sneezes near you.
Although upper respiratory infections and colds are inconvenient and make you feel lousy, they’re not uncommon. The average adult gets two to four colds per year and children get twice as many. If it seems like your child always has a cold, you’re not imagining it!
Treatment for a URI usually involves limiting discomfort. The following things can help lessen the severity or duration of the symptoms:
Some over-the-counter medicines may also help adults with URI symptoms. These include:
Antihistamines
Pain-relievers
Decongestants
Some people use home remedies to help alleviate URI symptoms. These include:
If your symptoms do not subside after a week or so or worsen over time, see an ENT specialist. Your McAllen ENT at Glatz Group can conduct a thorough exam and determine if the URI is a sign of a more serious condition like bronchitis, pneumonia, or allergies.
In the event that this is the case, antibiotics or an alternative treatment might be necessary. Many patients experience an improvement in their allergies after balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure we provide at our office.
There are several ways you can minimize your risk of catching a URI.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water to prevent the spread of germs. Also, stay away from anyone who has a URI and wipe down doorknobs, countertops, and other frequently touched surfaces. In addition, do not smoke or vape, and use a tissue to cover your mouth any time you cough or sneeze.
Given the current circumstances of COVID-19, we still offer alternative options to have your symptoms addressed, including telemedicine.
For in-person appointments, your safety and comfort come first. For the peace of mind of all of our loyal patients and staff members, we’re taking all possible precautionary measures to protect our clients and team from the spread of COVID-19.
Don’t ignore your respiratory infection if it persists. Feel like yourself again after stopping by The Glatz Group of Valley ENT!
The heat and humidity in our region can leave you dripping in sweat and running indoors to seek relief. However, this strong desire to be inside with the air conditioner isn’t the only impact that Texas weather has on our lives.
As anybody suffering sinus or allergy symptoms knows, Texas weather can cause serious Texas allergies. Today, your trusted McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will discuss how Texas weather can affect your allergies.
Hot and muggy days can make it hard to breathe. This is especially the case for people with allergies. The high temperatures can also lead to your body working significantly harder to keep cool, making other physical processes tougher.
People whose nasal passages are blocked due to sinus inflammation will be particularly prone to breathing difficulties throughout humid weather. You may also find that you have issues breathing in the heat if you suffer from asthma.
While high humidity can be problematic, some of the solutions to mitigate any issues can be just as bad for allergy sufferers. If you spend a lot of time indoors to avoid outdoor weather that negatively affects your sinuses, you can end up exposing yourself to air that’s too dry.
Also, it’s not uncommon to bring outdoor allergens indoors. Pollen and dander, for example, can come on air currents and clothes, settling on furniture and bedding. Changing clothes when you get home and using high-quality filters on your home’s HVAC units can decrease the likelihood of running into allergies when indoors.
Here in Texas, our growing season tends to last year-round. Because of this, there’s almost always something blooming and releasing pollen into the air.
Some allergenic trees often bloom in the winter. Grasses release pollen in spring. Ragweed blooms in late summer and early fall. Learning which kinds of pollen you’re most susceptible to can make it easier to remain comfortable during the year.
Throughout high pollen count times of the year, try staying indoors during the day and engaging in outdoor activities after dark. Pollen counts and wind levels drop at night, meaning that you’re less likely to suffer from pollen-related allergy attacks.
Pollen isn’t the only allergen that can make allergy sufferers miserable. Mold is also an extremely common trigger for Texas allergies. Mold spores are always present in just about every environment. These spores linger unseen until they find the right combination of moisture and warmth to grow.
During heavy rains, there is almost always dead vegetation that can be host to allergenic mold and mildew. Inside homes, mold finds hospitable growing environments in damp cellars, closets, crawlspaces and even bathrooms with inadequate ventilation.
Even for people without chronic sinusitis or other sinus health problems, allergies can be a painful reminder of sudden weather changes. But how can you tell whether allergies are causing your pain or if you have an actual sinus infection? If you don’t have a history of sinus infections and think your allergies may be giving you trouble, try taking an antihistamine to treat your symptoms.
If your sinus issues are caused by allergies, taking an antihistamine should offer some relief. However, antihistamines aren’t beneficial for non-allergy related sinus issues. Even if they do provide some temporary relief, it’s not in your best interest to keep taking them.
A balloon sinuplasty treatment can help chronic sufferers without the painful traditional surgical procedures of cutting through nasal bone and tissue. This means patients feel less pain and heal at a quicker rate compared to other types of sinus treatments.
Whether you’re suffering from painful dry air, nagging allergies, or something in between, you should visit your local ENT for lasting relief. At our office or online, we can offer quality allergy treatments to help both diagnose and treat your pesky seasonal allergies. The road to healthier sinuses is only an appointment away.
With COVID-19 cases rising again this season, we will continue providing alternative options to have your symptoms addressed through telemedicine, where you can be taken care of from the safety of your home.
For in-person appointments, you can rest assured knowing we’re taking all precautionary measures, and we also accept calls.
If you suffer from frequent sinus infections, you’re not alone. Roughly 37 million people are impacted by this condition each year. While the most obvious cause of sinus infections involve blockages in your sinus cavities, there are many other unusual sinus infection causes that can occur.
Today, the McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will shed some light on some of the most uncommon causes of sinus infections in an effort to bring awareness.
Swimming as a form of exercise is wonderful for your health; however, spending too much time in chlorinated pools can raise the likelihood of sinus infections. The chlorine can irritate nasal passageways, causing inflammation and increasing susceptibility to infection. When you dive into the water, the pressure can push chlorinated water deeper into your sinuses, affecting deeper and delicate tissues.
People with diabetes generally have higher blood glucose levels. Those elevated levels can make it more likely for you to develop infections, particularly ones in the sinuses and other sensitive areas.
These infections aren’t limited to the common viral and bacterial invasions that often result in sinus infections. People with diabetes can also develop oral yeast infections, which may spread to the nasal cavity. This unusual sinus infection type can sometimes be tougher to spot and treat than more common infections.
Part of living in Texas means we hardly have to worry about a lack of humidity. However, if you spend a lot of time in air-conditioned buildings or flying for work, dry air can cause issues. When the air is too dry, it can dry out your sinuses and thicken mucus trapped in your nasal openings. When this occurs, bacteria and viruses can get trapped as well, causing infection.
Staying well-hydrated when indoors can help. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and drink plenty of water. You can also irrigate your sinuses with a neti pot or a saline nasal spray to reduce dryness and irritation.
Nasal spray decongestants can be a lifesaver when you’re coping with the pain of a sinus headache or infection, but overusing this medication can make sinus pressure and sinus infections more likely.
When over-the-counter sinus sprays are used too much, your body becomes less sensitive to the medication. This can result in tissues becoming swollen again, which is called rebound nasal congestion. Fluids then become trapped, making infections more likely.
When a sinus infection inflicts pain and pressure, don’t automatically reach for an over-the-counter spray. These sprays should be used sparingly so that they don’t cause rebound congestion.
Chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis and other disorders that weaken your immune system can lead to inflammation in the airways and make you prone to building up thick mucus.
This thicker mucus, or an impaired ability to fight germs due to diabetes or HIV infection, can make you susceptible to sinus infections.
If a cold doesn’t resolve within 10 to 15 days, bacteria may have joined the party.
Bacterial infections rarely cause sinus infections, but they are almost always the cause of complicating secondary infections.
These bacteria can creep up in healthy people and grow. Take a decongestant during a cold to avoid those circumstances, and if you do develop bacterial sinusitis, you can treat it with antibiotics.
Certain people have nasal abnormalities that make them more prone to sinus infections. These can include deviated septums that make it difficult for your sinuses to drain properly. Other causes can include cleft palate, narrow sinus pathways, and even tumors.
Despite what nasal abnormalities you may have, balloon sinuplasty can be an option for relief. The procedure helps open up your sinuses, minimizing the likelihood of future sinus infections.
While sinus infections can have many causes, there’s one solution that can help: the balloon sinuplasty procedure. This minimally invasive technique requires minimal tissue removal with little to no pain.
All it takes is getting it done in our office, with a recovery time that’s significantly quicker than traditional sinus surgery. Many patients are able to go back to their normal activities within two days.
If sinus infections are a frequent issue, we recommend having a conversation with us to determine if you’re a candidate for balloon sinuplasty. If you wish to learn more about the benefits of balloon sinuplasty, feel free to reach out to The Glatz Group.
If you can’t figure out the cause of your sinus infections and want to eliminate them altogether, we’d be ‘Glatz’ to detect the problem and find a solution that works best for you.
As COVID-19 remains an ongoing health concern, we will keep providing the alternative to have your symptoms addressed through telemedicine if you’d rather seek treatment or help from the safety and comfort of your humble abode. If you need an appointment, you can rest assured knowing that we take all precautionary measures necessary to preserve the safety of our patients and staff members. For an in-office procedure, we also accept calls.
While COVID-19 continues to be a health concern, this allergy season has been more unforgiving than most, and you can’t ignore something as uncomfortable as your sinuses. One minute you think your sinus issues are getting better, but next thing you know, you lay down, your nose gets stuffy, and you’re stuck staring at the ceiling wondering why they worsen at night.
The answer to this isn’t always necessarily straightforward as it can vary for every individual. The universal truth is that if your nose is blocked at night on one side or both, or if you’re dealing with any other sinus-related problem, your chances of getting sleep in are slim.
But there’s no need to stress. The McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his loyal team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will list four of the most common conditions or factors that may worsen your sinuses at night, as well as potential solutions you can take to find relief.
When it comes to determining what makes your sinuses worse at night, a good place to begin is to ask yourself which sinus-related issues or household circumstances you go through.
It is worth noting, however, that your sinus problems may worsen at night since you’re less distracted and paying more attention to how you feel.
While this might be true to a certain extent, paying attention doesn’t lead to sinus symptoms. Sinus issues create sinus symptoms. Here are some potential factors to consider:
Imagine your bedroom and ask yourself the following questions:
If you answered “yes” to any of the following, you might have noticed a factor that is impacting both your sinuses and your sleep.
If you only experience a nose blockage when the night hits, making these adjustments in your bedroom could help relieve your congestion:
Many patients are surprised to find out the role gravity and blood pressure play in making sinus issues worse.
While you’re sitting up and standing throughout the day, your blood circulates through your body, with blood pressure and the forces of gravity influencing how easy it is for your blood to get to your head and sinuses. On top of that, when you’re vertical, gravity also helps your sinuses drain down your esophagus and into your stomach.
When you lie down on the other hand, your body doesn’t have to fight as much to deliver blood to your head. Increased blood flow in the blood vessels of your sinuses may result in sinus congestion, pressure, and pain. When that happens, gravity is no longer helping your sinuses drain, but instead increasing your chances of experiencing those same issues.
These nighttime sinus circumstances can affect those who have little to no sinus symptoms during the day. If you’re also suffering from sinusitis, GERD, or allergies, these circumstances can get aggravate already inflamed blood vessels and exacerbate other related problems.
The best sleeping position for sinus drainage problems and other sinus issues is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and reduce the chance of excessive blood flow that can develop sinus congestion.
Sinus infections, or sinusitis, are hard to miss. Your drainage problems and inflamed blood vessels may get worse when you lay down.
Because of this, propping up your head while sleeping might not be sufficient; you’ll probably have no choice but to tackle the sinus infection itself. Many sinus infections will go away with OTC medication and rest, but chronic sinus infections usually require further treatment.
If you have chronic sinus infections that interrupt your sleep, you may have to meet with your doctor to discuss your options. We encourage you to ask your doctor about Balloon Sinuplasty, a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that provides long-lasting sinus relief.
Another possible factor to your sinuses getting worse at night is GERD, short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD takes place when acid from your stomach re-enters your esophagus because of a damaged or impaired esophageal valve.
This occurs more frequently at night while you’re lying down. GERD usually affects the back of the throat, leading to coughing, post-nasal drip, and even nausea. Since the throat is connected to your sinus passages, more doctors have started associating GERD with causing sinus problems.
The best way to target GERD-related sinus problems is to decrease the amount of acid that aggravates your throat. You can accomplish this by simply avoiding eating just before bed and speak to your doctor about antacids and proton pump inhibitors. Weight loss also could help relieve GERD.
Patients with allergies tend to suspect that their nighttime sinus issues come from allergies, but many are still left wondering why their nose gets clogged at night. As with sinus infections, allergies may exacerbate the sinus-related symptoms you face as a result of the effects of gravity and blood pressure when lying down.
Allergy-related nasal congestion at night might simply happen due to the fact that your bedroom is not enough to protect your body against allergens (pets may sleep there, the air filter or sheets may have to be changed, etc.). However, you might also have to take an antihistamine before bed to help lessen the inflammation caused by allergies from worsening.
If you’ve lost more nights than you can count to sinus issues caused by sinusitis, allergies, or even a deviated septum, it may be time to consider balloon sinuplasty.
During the procedure, a small balloon is inserted into your sinus cavities through your nasal passageways. When these balloons are expanded, healthy drainage is restored.
If your sinuses do not go away after trying the approaches mentioned above, you are welcome to set up an appointment with us where you can either have your symptoms addressed online through our telemedicine services or via phone call if you are in need of a procedure done in our office.
We will continue to keep our office a safe, clean space for our patients and staff members alike amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most people turn to antibiotics in hopes of obtaining relief from their sinusitis symptoms. Unfortunately, most of this is wishful thinking more than actual results. Research has shown that antibiotics are ineffective at treating sinusitis — even in extreme scenarios in which symptoms are dire.
This leads us to question what can be done to ease your pain if antibiotics don’t function as they should to help you with your sinus issues. Let the McAllen certified physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief specialist team at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT take a closer look at what your options are for relief if antibiotics don’t cut it.
Antibiotic resistance can take place when bacteria are treated with an antibiotic. The medicine may kill most of these germs, but a small group might survive. This can happen in a couple of ways.
The germs can either:
When bacteria get resistant, the original antibiotic can no longer kill them. These germs can grow and spread. They can result in infections that are difficult to treat. Sometimes they may even spread the resistance to other bacteria that they encounter.
When you use an antibiotic, there’s a risk that some of the bacteria will become resistant. Using these medicines when they’re not needed is a key reason why antibiotic resistance is becoming more common.
So it’s best to use these medicines only when absolutely necessary.
Antibiotics are labeled as narrow-spectrum drugs when they work against only certain kinds of bacteria. On the other hand, broad-spectrum antibiotics are more efficient as they fight a wide range of bacteria, but are more likely to promote antibiotic resistance. Because of this, your ENT will most likely prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics, which generally cost less. However, you may be recommended broad-spectrum antibiotics for infections that don’t respond to treatment with narrow-spectrum drugs.
In many instances, antibiotics are prescribed for patients dealing with specific issues such as persistent nasal discharge and facial pain, and who are not improving after seven days, or those with severe symptoms of rhinosinusitis, regardless of duration. On the basis of clinical trials, amoxicillin, doxycycline, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are preferred antibiotics.
Even with a long regimen of antibiotics, chronic sinusitis symptoms can be tough to take care of. Generally speaking, however, treating chronic sinusitis with antibiotics and decongestants, is similar to treating acute sinusitis.
When antibiotic treatment fails, allergy testing, desensitization, and/or surgery may be suggested as the most effective options for treating chronic sinusitis. Research studies claim that the vast majority of people who go through with surgery experience improved symptoms and a better quality of life.
Antibiotics that are unlikely to be effective in children who don’t improve with amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), or erythromycin-sulfisoxazole (Pediazole), since many bacteria are resistant to these older antibiotics. For kids that don’t respond to two courses of traditional antibiotics, the dosage and length of antibiotic treatment are usually expanded, or treatment with intravenous cefotaxime or ceftriaxone and/or a referral to an ENT specialist is recommended.
About 30 million Americans are diagnosed with inflamed nasal passageways and sinuses each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sinus infection symptoms are uncomfortable, painful and debilitating.
Symptoms can include:
While antibiotics are a common treatment approach, evidence suggests that they do no more good than a placebo in regards to improving sinusitis. Not only that, but adverse effects associated with antibiotic usage and escalating rates of drug resistance are also other reasons to avoid antibiotics.
Instead, we recommend using a variety of methods to accelerate the sinusitis recovery process, including:
While sinus issues will sometimes resolve on their own or with the help of the treatment methods we just mentioned, chronic sinusitis can last for months. If your symptoms last for more than 10 days or if they recur on numerous occasions, you still have another option.
One especially promising sinusitis treatment that has revolutionized sinus care is the balloon sinuplasty procedure. This minimally invasive technique involves minimal tissue removal with hardly any pain.
Not only can this be done in our very own office, but it also has quicker recovery times than traditional sinus surgery. In fact, most patients resume their normal activities within two days.
If you’ve been living with pesky sinus problems, there’s no reason to continue to suffer — especially if you’ve faced bad luck with antibiotic treatments in the past. If you’re wondering whether you are a candidate for balloon sinuplasty or are interested in learning more about the benefits of balloon sinuplasty, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Glatz Group.
If antibiotics aren’t doing you any favors and you would like another approach to match your specific needs, we would be more than ‘Glatz’ to answer all your questions and find an ideal resolution.
As COVID-19 concerns are still prevalent and serious, we continue to offer the option to have your symptoms addressed via telemedicine for those who feel more comfortable seeking treatment or help from the safety and comfort of their own homes. If you’re in need of an appointment, you can feel secure knowing that we take precautionary measures to protect our patients and staff on a daily basis. For an in-office procedure, calls are also accepted.
Enlarged turbinates, or turbinate hypertrophy, is a condition that happens as the result of chronic inflammation of the mucosal membranes that cover the turbinates. When these membranes become chronically swollen, they can develop prolonged nasal congestion.
Fortunately, there’s a solution, and the McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are here to help you understand your options for relief.
Turbinates are comprised of bone and soft tissue and are found inside the nose by the septum. The cartilage and bone are aligned with a thin protective membrane called mucosa which helps maintain moisture in your nose. There’s typically space between the septum and turbinates to let air pass through the nose, and the turbinates help bring warmth and moisture to the air that passes through.
There are three turbinates in both nostrils (inferior, middle, and superior), but the inferior turbinates impact airflow the most. For many, the soft tissue part of the turbinates is the key issue--where the turbinates become enlarged--causing nasal congestion and even obstruction.
As mentioned above, if the inferior turbinates are too large, they can cause nasal obstruction in one or both sides of the nose. Nasal obstruction is a blockage of the nose or nasal cavity that affects your ability to breathe through the nose.
As a result, those affected tend to breathe through their mouth, often resulting in dry mouth. For others, these symptoms worsen at night and can impact sleep. Learn more about nasal obstruction and what else causes it here.
Symptoms of enlarged turbinates may include:
Generally, we will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a nasal examination via a lighted, 4mm nasal endoscope. The endoscope will help us see the nasal and sinus passageways and figure out the source of your nasal congestion. For certain patients, CT scans and allergy testing may also be done.
When enlarged inferior turbinates are confirmed as the main contributing factor of nasal obstruction, turbinate reduction procedures may be recommended to reduce the size of the turbinates and improve breathing.
Two of the most commonly performed procedures include Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Submucosal Reduction (SMR). Both are efficient in shrinking the swelling of the turbinate mucosa and in decreasing the congested lining.
In this procedure, a small probe is placed in the submucosal area of the turbinate (between the inner turbinate bone and the outer mucosal lining) and low-power radiofrequency energy is applied to minimize tissue volume.
For the SMR procedure, a small incision is made in the front part (head) of the inferior turbinate. General or local anesthesia is administered to the patient, and dissection is done by making a pocket in the submucosal lining for placement of a tool called a microdebrider. The microdebrider utilizes suction to gently pull up the engorged submucosal tissue and some bone of the inferior turbinate, and the rotating blades slice it down or shrink it. Once the submucosal lining has been reduced, the healing process begins and scar tissue forms to prevent the lining from swelling as it had prior to surgery.
Another Option to Open Up the Nasal Pathway
Moving or “out-fracturing” the turbinate bone may be suggested to particular patients to open up the nasal pathway. This is an additional operation that can be done alongside an RFA or SMR.
In an “out-fracture” procedure, the inferior turbinate Conchal bone is moved or “out-fractured” from its usual midline position to a more lateral position alongside the nasal sidewalls. This permits the primary component of the nasal airway to open up, enhancing improved airflow.
If you have any questions about Turbinate Reduction, you can look through our frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) here.
If you have any other questions about what to expect from Turbinate Reduction surgery, you can also refer to Jonathan's first-hand experience with the procedure in his video where you’ll also find the list of FAQ’s to give patients an idea of what to expect.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, we can address your symptoms through telemedicine based on your preference, comfort, and safety. If you need an appointment, you can rest assured knowing that we take the precautionary measures to protect our patients and staff. For a procedure done in our office, calls are also welcomed.
Nasal breathing transfers roughly 70% of airflow to your lungs. Nasal airway obstruction is essentially blockage of the nose or nasal cavity, and more than 20 million Americans are estimated to suffer from nasal airway obstruction, which limits airflow through the nose with serious consequences in regards to the quality of life.
Either one or both nostrils may be impacted. While most nasal obstructions are temporary--caused by colds, allergies, sinus infections, or medications--others require medical intervention.
After years of working with our trusted McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have just the remedy you’re looking for if you are suffering from nasal airway obstruction.
Narrowing of the nasal valve can be induced by an enlargement of any of the three main structures. The septum, lateral wall, and turbinates create a triangular area called the Nasal Valve. If any of these tissues expand in size, nasal airway size is minimized, resulting in decreased airflow.
Nasal polyps, foreign objects in the nose, oversized adenoids, and swelling of the nasal lining due to allergies can all cause a nasal obstruction as well. If any of these matches the symptoms you suffer from, an appointment with the Glatz Group can determine what your best options are for relief.
This decreased volume of air can lead to the following:
Treating nasal obstructions is a straightforward process where we carefully examine your nose through a lighted scope, a CT scan, or an MRI to determine what in particular is causing your nasal obstruction. The first step in treating nasal obstructions is getting those symptoms under control. Medications or nasal steroid sprays are generally helpful in reducing inflammation of the nose and turbinates and providing quick, temporary relief.
Nightly breathing strips and nasal dilators never fully fix the problem but are options for ongoing at-home remedies you can try. It is worth noting that home remedies are not a permanent solution.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive sinus procedure available to eligible patients performed in our office.
This treatment has achieved outstanding outcomes for many patients, while requiring little or no anesthesia and minimal recovery time. This treatment is performed in place of more invasive and aggressive surgeries that involve general anesthesia with tedious recovery processes.
This technology utilizes a tiny, flexible, balloon catheter that is positioned into the nose to access the sinuses. The sinus balloon catheter gradually inflates to gently restructure the previously blocked sinus drainage opening, maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining and restoring typical sinus drainage and function.
There’s no cutting or tissue removal, with minimal risk of scarring within the nose. Most patients generally recover within 48 hours.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we will carry on taking all precautionary measures possible to keep our staff and patients safe. While we do in-house procedures with safety at the forefront, we are also able to address your nasal airway obstruction symptoms online via our telemedicine services or over the phone.
Allergies to our little furry friends are common, especially for people who already suffer from allergies or asthma, and it doesn’t help that the pandemic has given those affected no choice but to spend more time stuck at home with those allergens.
But your time cooped up at home doesn’t have to be miserable when there are options for relief. After years working alongside our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have the solutions you need when it comes to dealing with pet allergies.
The immune system’s role is to locate foreign substances like viruses and bacteria and eliminate them. People with pet allergies, however, have over-sensitive immune systems, reacting to the pet's urine, saliva, or dander--a.k.a. dead flakes of skin.
Cat and dog allergens are all over the place, as they can gather on furniture as well as other surfaces. In fact, pet allergens can be found in places that have never housed pets because people can carry them on their clothes.
Additionally, pet allergens can get into the air whenever the animal is petted or groomed, and it can be stirred up where the allergens originally settled, either through dusting, vacuuming, or other household chores. Once airborne, the particles can stay in the air or settle on walls for long periods of time.
Cat and dog allergens can land on membranes lining the eyes and nose, causing swelling and itching of the membranes, stuffy nose, and inflamed eyes. A pet scratch or lick can also irritate the skin area, and itchy eyes can occur after petting an animal and touching your eyes as well.
As a matter of fact, contact with a cat may trigger an asthma attack for at least three in ten people with asthma, and it can also result in chronic asthma.
Many airborne particles are microscopic enough to access the lungs. For some, this exposure can lead to breathing issues. Highly sensitive people can start to cough, wheeze, and experience shortness of breath within 15 to 30 minutes of inhaling allergens. Sometimes people also get a severe rash on the face, neck, and upper chest.
Your sinus doctor will diagnose a pet allergy based on your symptoms, your medical history, a physical examination, and/or a blood or skin test. The results of the allergy testing will display if there’s allergic sensitivity to the animal.
The doctor may tell you to stay out of the home where the pet lives to see if your symptoms stop. It doesn’t help to remove the dog or cat because the allergen will stay in your home, so much so, in fact, that pet allergens in the home can trigger symptoms months after the animal is gone.
Keeping your pet outside will help but won’t take out the allergens inside your home. Another alternative is to pick pets without fur or feathers like fish, snakes, or turtles.
While finding a new home for a pet and a thorough house cleaning is the best option to eliminate pet allergies, most animal lovers prefer to keep their little fur babies. Here are few things you can do to lessen exposure:
Since COVID-19 remains a major health crisis, the safety and well-being of our staff and patients will continue to be our top priority. We can address your pet-related allergy symptoms online with our telemedicine services or through a phone call.
If you’re in need of an immediate procedure done in our office, that may also be scheduled upon request.
You may have a friend, family member, or neighbor who has been referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor for their sinus issue, a chronic sore throat, or an ear infection. Or perhaps you have been facing these problems and have been recommended one yourself.
If that’s the case, you might be wondering what an ENT is and whether a consultation is worth your while. Suffice to say that seeking treatment from an experienced ENT can definitely help to improve many conditions.
After years of guidance under Dr. Frank R. Glatz, McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT can give you a closer look at what ENTs do and how they can help you breathe better.
ENT is an abbreviation for ear, nose and throat, which has to do with the particular parts of the body treated by these types of doctors. They are commonly referred to as otolaryngologists.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, otarlyngolosists are physicians trained within medical and surgical management to treat patients dealing with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat, as well as issues related to the structures of the head and neck. An ENT doctor’s special set of skills involve diagnosing and managing diseases and conditions in the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), along with structures of the neck and face.
On top of addressing various primary care issues in adult and pediatric patients, ENTs also diagnose, treat, and handle disorders specific to their field, including chronic sinusitis.
ENTs are required to be well-trained in order to practice their typical functions. In addition to completing up to 15 years of college, medical school, and specialty training, they also have to pass the American Board of Otolaryngology exam. Many also go after fellowships to gain more extensive training in subspecialty areas such as allergies, rhinology (nose), and laryngology (throat).
Because ENTs cover several areas of medicine, there are numerous reasons to see one. Some of the most common conditions that are treated by otolaryngologists include:
Some of the most typical health problems that cause patients to see an ENT include sinus issues, which may include pain, snoring, sore throat, runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing, asthma, and allergies.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million adults in the United States currently live with diagnosed sinusitis. This doesn’t include the countless others that might be suffering in silence. For these people, a visit to an ENT can be just what they need for a more comfortable, symptom-free life.
If you are unsure whether you have a health issue or condition that merits an appointment with an ENT, it is highly recommended that you consult with your primary care physician.
It is also worth noting that even if you saw an ENT in the past, new developments in the field, like cutting-edge balloon sinuplasty, have been providing optimal results for patients.
As the current pandemic poses a serious threat to the health of many, we are doing as much as we can every single day to prioritize the safety and well-being of our patients and staff. We are perfectly capable of addressing your sinus-related symptoms online through our telemedicine services or via a phone conference.
If you are in need of a sinuplasty procedure performed in our office, that may also be arranged upon request.
