Your nose and sinuses work together to help you breathe and stay healthy. The nose filters, warms, and moistens the air before it reaches your lungs. The sinuses are small, air-filled spaces behind your cheeks, forehead, and eyes. They make mucus that keeps your nasal passages clean and traps germs and dust.

When these areas become swollen or blocked, air and mucus can’t move normally. This may cause sinus pressure, headaches, or a feeling of fullness in your face. 

Common nasal and sinus conditions include:

• Allergies
• Chronic infections that don’t go away
• Structural problems, such as a deviated septum

Some nasal and sinus conditions clear up on their own, while others last longer and may need medicine or surgery. Our ENT specialists find the cause of your symptoms and create a care plan that helps you breathe more easily and feel better.

Many nose and sinus problems share symptoms, but can have different causes. Knowing what condition you have helps your ENT team find the best care plan.

Common nasal and sinus conditions include:

• Acute sinus infection: A short-term infection often caused by a cold or bacteria that leads to facial pain and nasal congestion.
• Chronic sinusitis: Long-term swelling of the sinus lining. It causes pressure, pain, congestion, and nasal drainage.
• Nasal obstruction: Blocked airflow caused by swollen tissues inside the nose. This might include enlarged bony structures inside the nose or swollen nasal passages.
• Nasal polyps: Soft, noncancerous growths inside the nose or sinuses. They can block airflow and trap mucus.
• Allergic rhinitis: Swelling in the nose triggered by an allergic reaction. Common allergies include dust, pollen, and pet dander.
• Structural problems: Changes in the shape of the nose that make breathing difficult. These include a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse.

We tailor your care based on what’s causing your symptoms. Every care plan starts with a detailed exam and imaging to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Our ENT team uses medicines and minimally invasive treatments. They can relieve congestion, clear blockages, and restore normal breathing. 

Medical care

We can manage many nasal and sinus issues without surgery. Your care may include:

• Medicine to reduce swelling or treat infection
• Nasal sprays or saline rinses to clear mucus
• Allergy testing and medicines to control triggers

Minimally invasive surgery

If medical care alone doesn’t solve the problem, less invasive surgery may be an option. Our surgical experts can help restore proper drainage and airflow in your nose and sinuses. They use the latest imaging and surgery tools for better accuracy and more comfort. 

At our minimally invasive head and neck surgery clinic, we offer:

• Endoscopic sinus surgery: We use tiny cameras and tools to remove blockages or polyps through the nostrils.
• Balloon sinuplasty: We open narrowed sinus passages without cutting or removing tissue. The surgeon inserts a tiny balloon put in through the nose to open a blocked sinus.
• Septoplasty or turbinate reduction: Surgery to correct structural problems that make breathing difficult.

At Carilion, our goal is help you breathe, sleep, and feel better with less discomfort and shorter recovery time.