Memorial Northwest Otolaryngology

Diseases of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

Nasal congestion and stuffiness of the nose are experienced by nearly all people at one time or another. Most often these symptoms are benign and self- limited. The most frequent causes are nasal allergic conditions and viral infections. Nasal allergic conditions are usually manifested by sneezing, eye watering and/or tearing as well as nasal itching, nasal airway obstruction and clear to mucoid (white) nasal and postnasal discharge. Secretions may also be bloody. Nasal and/or sinus infections are most often viral. These are manifested by malaise, frequently fever, joint and muscle pain as well as headaches, bloody/colored discharge and facial pain/fullness. Viral symptoms typically last 5-10 days and resolve without treatment. Symptoms lasting longer than this are most often due to pathogenic bacteria. These infections resolve without treatment approximately one half of the time.

Left untreated, about ½ of unresolved acute infections go on to become chronic sinusitis. Persistent nasal obstruction and/or bleeding indicate structural deformities and/or more serious health problems which most often require surgery. Loss of the sense of smell and taste may occur as a consequence of nasal inflammatory disorders such as allergy and infection. It may also be due to mechanical obstruction from a deviated nasal septum, hypertrophic turbinates, benign tumors such as nasal polyps or nasal/sinus malignancy.

Diseases of the Ear | Diseases of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses | Nose Bleeding | Diseases of the Throat