Doctor for Sinus Problems Washington DC

Doctor for Sinus Problems Washington DC

Black & Kletz Allergy proudly offers a specialist doctor for sinus problems Washington DC is well known to have.  Black & Kletz Allergy is a specialty medical practice serving the Washington DC metropolitan area for over 5 decades.  The practice employs doctors trained and specializing in health disorders related to allergy and clinical immunology.  One of the main focuses of the practice is offering the services of trained staff in conjunction with a specialist doctor for sinus problems Washington DC.

A doctor for sinus problems Washington DC residents trust is a specialist who received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of sinus problems Washington DC dwellers’ have.  Black & Kletz Allergy has 2 specialist doctors with expertise in managing sinus problems Washington DC.

Sinuses are hollow cavities within the facial bones.  There are sinuses on each side within the cheekbones i.e., (maxillary sinuses), forehead (i.e., frontal sinuses), around the sides of the nose (i.e., ethmoid sinuses) and between the eyes (i.e., sphenoid sinuses).  The sinuses usually are filled with air.  They give resonance to the voice and provide ventilation for the upper airway.  All of the sinuses drain in to the nasal cavity on each side through ducts.  The sinus cavities are lined inside by a thin membrane called the mucus membrane.  This membrane secretes a sticky material called mucus, which normally drains in to the nasal cavity.

In an individual who is sensitive to allergens and/or non-specific irritants in the air, the tissues inside the nasal cavity will get inflamed when that person breathes in that air.  Inflammation causes swelling of the nasal turbinates (i.e., normal structures in the nostrils).  This enlargement of the turbinates leads to a feeling of stuffiness inside the nose.  In severe cases, the nostrils can become totally blocked, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.  The swollen turbinates can sometimes obstruct the pores through which the sinus ducts drain into the nose.    This results in a backing up of the mucus inside the sinuses which may lead to increased sinus pressure.  As a result, an affected individual may experience the sensation of facial pressure and pain, especially over the forehead, around the eyes. and over the cheekbones.  In addition, the retained mucus in the sinuses also predisposes the sinuses to excessive growth of bacteria and viruses which often results in acute, chronic, or recurrent sinus infections (i.e., sinusitis).

A doctor for sinus problems Washington DC residents trust is an allergist trained in the evaluation and management of the disorders the sinuses.  A doctor for sinus problems Washington DC inhabitants have confidence in begins with the board-certified allergist performing a comprehensive history and physical examination.  The history should focus on the onset, duration, frequency, seasonality, and severity of the symptoms experienced by the patient.  The physical examination of the nasal cavity and sinuses may elicit some tenderness over the sinus areas of the face.

A doctor for sinus problems Washington DC trusts will order and perform tests designed to detect the causative factors of the disorder.  The tests could include allergy skin tests, bloodwork, and/or imaging modalities such as X-rays and/or CT scans suited to that individual patient.  After the diagnosis is established, a treatment plan would be formulated and discussed in detail with the patient, with a clear explanation of the benefits and risks of various options as part of a shared decision-making process.

As part of the management plan, the doctor for sinus problems Washington DC believes in offers treatment of infections with antibiotics, and antihistamines and/or decongestants to relieve allergy symptoms.  Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays can shrink the swollen turbinates, open up the pores. and facilitate easy drainage of mucus from the sinuses into the nasal cavity.  It should be noted that an underlying allergy is a very common reason for an individual’s sinus problems.  The prevention of future sinus problems may necessitate allergy shots (i.e., allergy immunotherapy, allergy injections, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) which are effective in 80 % – 85% of patients on allergy shots.  Allergy shots have been used in the U.S. for over 100 years.

A doctor for sinus problems Washington DC residents have confidence in such as the board-certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy is your trusted partner in the diagnosis and treatment of your sinus issues.  The allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area have been diagnosing and treating sinus disease for more than 50 years in both children and adults.  Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations in the Washington, DC area with offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  We have on-site parking at each location.  In addition, the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are accessible by the Metro.  If you suffer from sinus or allergy symptoms, please contact one of our offices to make an appointment.  Alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will contact you within 24 hours of the next business day.  We strive to serve the community in a professional, approachable, and thoughtful manner.