FAQs about Your Sinuses

FAQs about Your Sinuses

Your sinuses are more than just holes in your head. Located above the mouth and behind your forehead, your sinus painsinuses are deliberate voids in your skull meant for specific purposes. Dr. Andrew Parker of Parker Ear, Nose and Throat takes care of these important craniofacial structures and treats their various maladies.

As a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology, Dr. Parker is a well-respected and trusted physician who believes in empowering patients with the knowledge they need to make good decisions about their health. As such, he offers answers to frequently asked questions about your sinuses in Norwalk, Westport and New Canaan, CT.

FAQS about Your Sinuses

  1. Where are the sinuses? The sinuses are located behind the forehead, along the sides of the nose and posterior to the cheekbones. They extend over the roof of the mouth. Essentially, sinuses are empty spaces in the skull. The 4 kinds of sinuses are the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid, and there are 4 pairs of sinuses in all
  2. What do the sinuses do? They perform many important functions. Their primary function is to warm and filter air. Some researchers say they also act as shock absorbers for the skull, aid the sense of smell and contribute to the tone of the human voice. The pink mucosal lining secretes a thin, watery fluid called mucous which traps pollutants and humidifies the air.
  3. What is sinusitis? The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that sinusitis, or sinus infection, affects millions of people each year with pain, thick discharge, pressure, post-nasal drip, headaches, bad breath, ear pain and coughs. Just like the common cold, sinusitis may be viral, or some versions come from bacteria, allergies or an obstruction due to trauma, congenital malformation or a foreign body. Allergies, nasal polyps and air pollution contribute to this common infection.
  4. What helps sinusitis? Fluids and over the counter oral and nasal spray decongestants relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. Some people use plain salt water (saline) sprays to keep nose and sinuses clean. However, a bacterial infection may require antibiotic treatment. Some individuals need surgery to correct defects such as a deviated septum in the nose or other obstruction which blocks the free flow of mucus and air.
  5. When do I to visit my Norwalk, Westport and New Canaan, CT ENT doctor? Repeated sinus infections signal the need for referral to a board-certified otolaryngologist such as Dr. Andrew Parker. A nasal endoscope, digital x-ray, MRI or CAT scan visualize the sinuses and assist the physician in diagnosing the nature of the problem.

Contact Us

If you are concerned about the health and function of your sinuses, contact Parker Ear, Nose and Throat to arrange a consultation. You can feel better again. Call (203) 866-8121.