Sinusitis

Sinusitis — inflammation in the cavities behind your face — is a common and often excruciating condition that Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center: Philip T. Ho, MD, FACS, in Los Gatos, California, specializes in treating. Board-certified otolaryngologist Dr. Ho uses sophisticated diagnostic tools to assess your sinuses and performs cutting-edge, in-office procedures like balloon sinuplasty to relieve sinus pain. For prompt, compassionate sinusitis diagnosis and treatment, call Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center or use the online booking form to schedule a consultation today.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation in the tissues lining your sinuses — hollow spaces behind your nose and cheeks. The sinuses help to warm and moisten air when you breathe and produce mucus that usually drains into your nose.

An infection in the sinuses causes inflammation in these mucus-producing tissues, swelling and trapping the mucus in your sinuses.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Swollen sinus tissue and mucus build-up cause symptoms that might include:

• Facial pain and pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Thick nasal discharge
• Tenderness in your face and teeth
• Sinus headaches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Cough

Many people suffer a loss of smell or taste or experience changes in these senses when they have sinusitis.

Dr. Ho completes a comprehensive sinus evaluation to determine the cause of your condition and assess its severity. He may also perform in-office sinus endoscopy, using a tiny camera on a flexible pipe (endoscope) to see the nasal passages and sinuses more clearly.

How is sinusitis treated?

Dr. Ho treats acute sinusitis with medications that ease your symptoms and help your immune system clear a viral infection. If you have a bacterial infection, you might need antibiotics. Dr. Ho typically offers extensive medical therapies for chronic sinusitis before considering surgery. Potential treatments include:

Allergy care

If Dr. Ho suspects allergies are causing your sinusitis, he recommends allergy testing and an allergy management program.

VivAER®

VivAER uses radiofrequency energy to remodel the tissues inside your nose and reduce obstruction.

RhinAER®

RhinAer also uses radiofrequency energy, in this case, to shrink inflamed tissues and calm the overactive nerves, causing excessive mucus production.

Turbinate reduction

Reducing the turbinates involves removing tissue to make it easier for you to breathe. Dr. Ho might also remove any polyps blocking your nasal passages.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive in-office procedure. Dr. Ho passes a catheter (flexible tube) through your nose into the sinus and carefully inflates it to open the space. This nonsurgical treatment for chronic sinusitis is considered the gold standard. Dr. Ho uses cutting-edge ACCLARENT® and Entellus Medical balloon sinuplasty devices.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

You might need FESS to remove tissue from the sinuses if other treatments aren’t successful in resolving chronic sinusitis. Dr. Ho performs FESS in the hospital operating room using minimally invasive techniques and advanced navigation systems.

Call Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center or book an appointment online today for expert sinusitis relief.