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Rhinosinusitis

Your guide to understanding rhinosinusitis and how to treat it

What is Rhinosinusitis?

Rhinosinusitis, or sinusitis, is when the spaces in your face around your nose (called sinuses) get swollen or inflamed. This can make you feel pretty uncomfortable. Here are the top five problems people face with rhinosinusitis:

1. Ongoing Symptoms
Many people with chronic rhinosinusitis have long-lasting symptoms, sometimes lasting 12 weeks or more. They might have a stuffy nose, pain in their face, or trouble smelling things. These symptoms can make it hard to enjoy daily activities and lead to sadness or frustration.

2. Hard to Diagnose
Doctors can find it tricky to tell if a virus or bacteria causes rhinosinusitis because the symptoms are similar. This can lead to wrong diagnoses, where patients might get antibiotics that don’t help if the cause is viral. This confusion makes it harder to find the proper treatment.

3. Limited Treatment Options
Some treatments, like nasal sprays and saline rinses, are available but don’t always work for everyone. For people with chronic rhinosinusitis, taking antibiotics for a long time might not help much and can cause side effects, which is a concern for doctors.

4. Allergies and Environment
Allergies can make rhinosinusitis worse. Pollen, dust, and smoke can trigger symptoms. Therefore, people must be careful about their surroundings and avoid things that can worsen their condition.

5. Surgery Risks
Sometimes, surgery is needed to fix problems in the sinuses, especially if there are growths called polyps. However, surgery can be risky and doesn’t always solve the problem, which can lead to more treatments being needed.

Rhinosinusitis can be a challenging condition to deal with because of ongoing symptoms, challenges in getting the right diagnosis, and limited treatment options. Understanding these issues can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Why Should You See Hill Country Allergy About Rhinosinusitis?

If you have rhinosinusitis, it’s essential to talk to a doctor. Here are some reasons why:

1. Getting the Right Diagnosis
Viruses or bacteria can cause rhinosinusitis, and they can feel very similar. A doctor can help determine what’s causing your symptoms, which is essential for finding the proper treatment.

2. Preventing Problems
Sometimes, rhinosinusitis can lead to more severe issues, like infections in nearby areas, such as the eyes or brain. If your symptoms are bad or worsening, a doctor can check for these problems and help you get the care you need.

3. Personalized Treatment
A doctor can recommend the best treatments based on your symptoms and health. This might include medicines, nasal sprays, or even antibiotics if they think a bacterial infection is a problem. They can also give you tips on how to feel better at home.

4. Managing Long-Term Issues
If you have chronic rhinosinusitis, which means it lasts a long time, seeing a doctor regularly is essential. They can help you manage your condition, suggest lifestyle changes, and provide treatments that can help improve your life. They might also send you to a specialist if needed.

5. Finding Other Health Problems
Sometimes, rhinosinusitis can be linked to allergies or problems with the structure of the nose. A doctor can help identify these issues and suggest treatments to treat rhinosinusitis and other health problems.

Four Convenient Locations To Serve You

As an added convenience, we now offer four clinic locations in Austin and the Texas Hill Country for all of your allergy needs. We treat everything from asthma to allergic skin conditions, to food allergy and sinusitis, to skin testing and immunotherapy (Allergy Shots), if you are in need of allergy help, we are here to help you breathe.
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“My son has been going to Dr. Mery for over a year. I always appreciate how attentive the nurses are to him when checking him out before he is released after his shot. This office is very clean and organized as well.”

Stephanie H.

“My whole family goes to Dr. Mery. He has been a major factor in our family’s health and well-being. Dr. Mery is compassionate and understanding. He is determined to help those who come to see him and truly cares for his patients.”

Susan D.

“Hill Country Allergy has been a very good experience for me these last few weeks. A great team has been providing me with a thorough job of evaluating my allergy needs and implementing a specific plan to reach my specific goal of setting my allergies under control. All staff is efficient, courteous, and very knowledgeable of my specific concerns. I am very pleased with my current service.”

Sandra B.

“The staff at Hill Country Allergy & Asthma is nothing short of amazing. They greet you with a smile and they actually remember my name; you are not just another face. They are patient and take the time to explain things even if you ask them the same questions every other time you are there. The technicians providing the shots are extremely careful and service is usually quick due to the check in system they utilize. They are well organized, with excellent customer service.”

Ditrell B.

“Whenever Julie is the one who gives me my shot, I almost look forward to getting the shot. Her sunny disposition brightens my day. I did say that it almost makes me want to get a shot!”

Bob B.

“I have been very pleased with the great care I have received from Dr. Mery, as well as his entire staff. They are all great!”

Cindy M.

“I look forward to getting my allergy shots every month. The office staff is so friendly and professional. It is a very nice and relaxed atmosphere too.”

Maria B.

“Dr. Mery saved me! I struggled for months with a skin reaction that three other doctors were unable to get under control. It was clear from the onset that Dr. Mery is truly invested in his patients as he spent so much time with me trying to understand my situation and helped me tremendously with my condition. Dr. Mery and his staff genuinely care for their patients!”

Krista H.

“My son saw Dr. Mery years ago for his bad allergies. He was tested, started shots and has been on shots for a couple of years now. We cannot begin to express our gratitude to HCAA for helping our family. Our son is completely different kid – he can now play on sports teams and enjoy playing outside with his buddies! THANK YOU DR. MERY!”