Excel ENT of Alabama is very excited to introduce a new biologic option to treat and manage sinus conditions for patients that could have been candidates for sinus surgery in the past.
The sinus specialists of Excel ENT of Alabama are very passionate about how biologics can be a game-changer for managing sinus disease and are excited to offer Dupixent as an option for treatment in patients with severe/ refractory sinus polyps.
Dupixent is a treatment used with other medicines to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis in adults.
What Biologic medication Dupixent does:
Reduce the size of nasal polyps
Improve congestion
Improve loss of smell
Reduce the need for surgery
What Are Nasal Polyps?
Polyps are painless, benign growths inside the nasal passages. If the polyps are small, a person may not know that they even have them but, polyps can grow in clusters that block the nasal passages and inhibit sinus fluid drainage and normal airflow.
Polyps also can cause secondary issues, such as sleep apnea, asthma, and sinus infections.
Some common symptoms of nasal polyps are:
Congestion
Breathing problems
Recurring infections
Reductions in the senses of smell and taste
Sinus pressure
Pain in upper teeth or face
Nosebleeds
What the maker of the Biologic Medication Dupixent says:
George D. Yancopoulos, president and chief scientific officer at drug maker Regeneron, said in a statement, “Dupixent is the only approved therapy that has been shown to shrink nasal polyp size and also improve the signs and symptoms of the associated chronic rhinosinusitis. In fact, approximately three-quarters of patients treated with Dupixent no longer required either corticosteroids or surgery, the current standards of care.”
Dupixent F.A.Qs
How does Dupixent work?By blocking two critical sources of type 2 inflammation, Dupixent shrinks nasal polyps and reduces the need for surgery.
What types of results were seen in clinical studies with Dupixent? There were two clinical trials of 724 adults with uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. In both studies, Dupixent helped patients breathe better by relieving nasal congestion and reducing nasal polyps size compared to the placebo group.
How is Dupixent taken?Via an injection under the skin at different injection sites.
How do I know if Dupixent is suitable for me? Call for an appointment today with the sinus specialist professionals at Excell ENT of Alabama to determine if Dupixent is for you.
Learn More About Treatment Options for Nasal Polyps at Excel ENT of Alabama Located in Birmingham!
Are you suffering from nasal polyps? Contact the team at Excel ENT of Alabama today to schedule an appointment for a medical evaluation to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Are you tired of dealing with constant congestion, never-ending running noses, perpetual post-nasal drip, painful headaches, and the many other symptoms that come along with chronic rhinitis?
This common condition is nothing to take lightly, and it can often take a toll on one’s quality of life. If you are ready to address your chronic rhinitis, discover the best rhinitis treatments we recommend at Excel ENT.
Best Treatments for Chronic Rhinitis
Types of Chronic Rhinitis
Firstly, it’s essential to know we categorize chronic rhinitis into two types: allergic and non-allergic.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by environmental allergies, such as dust, pollen, or pet dander. It is characterized by an itchy or runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
Non-allergic rhinitis is when an allergic or other cause can’t be identified. Additionally, chronic rhinitis occurs for weeks to months on end over a year or more. Non-allergic chronic rhinitis tends not to have other allergic symptoms, such as itchy and runny eyes, and is more persistent and less seasonal.
When it comes to treating chronic rhinitis, many times, the most effective treatments involve a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and, in the most severe cases, a surgical procedure.
Medications
There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available that can help control your chronic rhinitis symptoms. These may include:
Antihistamines work for allergies and include oral medications and nasal sprays.
OTC saline nasal sprays.
OTC decongestants. Our doctor’s tip is not to use these decongestants for longer than three days, or it can cause a rebound effect, making your symptoms worse.
Prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays.
Prescription anticholinergic nasal sprays.
Allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy for allergies.
For chronic allergic rhinitis, we recommend trying OTC antihistamines first to see if that helps your symptoms. For non-allergic chronic rhinitis, decongestants, or a combination of decongestants and antihistamines seem to work better.
However, it’s best to visit an experienced ENT doctor for a more thorough evaluation and professional recommendation regarding chronic rhinitis medication such as Excel ENT.
Lifestyle Changes
For those with chronic allergic rhinitis, often the best and most effective way to treat it is to avoid the allergens or triggers that cause it in the first place. Some lifestyle changes we recommend are:
Using a cool-mist humidifier.
Practicing nasal irrigation several times per day.
Use a pollen mask when mowing the grass or cleaning the house.
Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high.
Using HEPA filters in your vacuum.
Change your heating and air conditioning filters often.
Avoiding nasal irritants, such as smoke, perfume, aerosol sprays, smoke, smog, and car exhaust.
Wash your bedding often; we recommend weekly and in hot water.
Surgery as a Chronic Rhinitis Treatment
We recommend exploring surgery as an effective chronic rhinitis treatment for those with stubborn chronic rhinitis that has diminished and negatively impacted their daily lives.
At Excel ENT, we offer RhinAer, an exceptional procedure that treats chronic rhinitis and provides long-lasting relief from its symptoms.
RhinAer addresses the root cause of chronic rhinitis, which is the abnormal nerve (posterior nasal nerve) within your nose that triggers chronic inflammation and excessive mucus production. Using the RhinAer tool, we apply temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy to access the lining of your nose and tweak the function of your dysfunctional posterior nasal nerve.
The end result? A dramatic reduction in the amount of mucus generated in your nose, minimizing the drainage and stuffiness, providing significant relief.
So who is RhinAer right for?
Those with difficult chronic rhinitis symptoms that don’t respond to first-line treatments, like nasal sprays and antihistamines, as well as other forms of treatment, like allergy immunotherapy shots.
Treating Chronic Rhinitis at Excel ENT
The team at Excel ENT of Alabama is passionate about sinus health and helping patients breathe better. If you’re suffering from chronic rhinitis and are searching for an effective treatment plan, get in touch with Dr. Davis. He will get you feeling better and breathing better in no time! Call 205-386-6453 or schedule an appointment here.
Do you feel like every time you turn around, you’re getting another sinus infection? Are you constantly complaining about sinus pain and discomfort? You may have a condition known as chronic sinusitis. Nearly 30 million American adults suffer from sinusitis, so you are not alone.
At Excel ENT of Alabama, we understand that these ongoing sinus challenges can be frustrating and cause you to miss school, work, or other important occasions.
Learn more about what chronic sinusitis is, the signs that you may suffer from chronic sinusitis, and the treatment options available.
What is chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is persistent sinus swelling that interferes with the way your mucus drains, making it difficult to breathe through your nose. When the sinuses are chronically inflamed, they trap mucus, making your sinuses more susceptible to bacteria growth and infection.
Does this condition sound familiar? The signs below may help you confirm that you suffer from chronic sinusitis.
13 signs you suffer from chronic sinusitis
Common signs of chronic sinusitis include:
Congestion or “fullness” in the face
Blockage in one or both nasal passages
Fever
Runny nose
Discolored postnasal drainage (drainage at the back of your throat)
Pus in the nasal cavity
Headaches
Fatigue
Ear pain
Aching in your upper jaw and teeth
Cough or throat clearing
Sore throat
Bad breath
Suffering from two or more of these symptoms typically indicates you have chronic sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis are often confused because they share similar signs and symptoms. The main difference is that acute sinusitis is temporary and often associated with a cold. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, the signs and symptoms listed above could potentially last at least 12 weeks.
Chronic Sinusitis treatment options
Treating chronic sinusitis can be challenging. It often requires a combination of several methods, such as nasal irrigation, decongestants, and antibiotics. Some chronic sinusitis treatments you can even do at home for short-term relief, such as a saline rinse, over-the-counter pain medications, and nasal sprays, but sometimes you need the help of a professional to get rid of chronic sinusitis for good.
If home remedies and medication do not provide relief, we may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty. Every patient is different, so it is important to schedule a sinus evaluation to determine your condition’s best treatment option.
The team at Excel ENT of Alabama is passionate about sinus health and helping patients breathe better. If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis, get in touch with Dr. Davis. He will get you feeling better in no time! Call 205-386-6453 or schedule an appointment here.
Did you know that nasal breathing delivers about 70 percent of airflow to your lungs? With this statistic in mind, imagine how your quality of life is impacted if your nasal airway is obstructed in any way. It can affect your sleep, exercise, and your ability to breathe normally.
More than 20 million Americans struggle to breathe through their noses. But, the good news is that NAO can be treated. In this article, we will describe nasal airway obstruction and discuss recommended treatment options.
Do you have nasal blockage?
Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) refers to any blockage of the nasal cavity. Even a slight narrowing of the nasal valve can lead to a significant reduction in airflow to your lungs. Narrowing of the nasal valve may be caused by an enlargement of the Septum, Lateral Wall, and Turbinates.
NAO can be caused by a wide variety of problems:
Foreign bodies in the nose
Large adenoids, which block the back of the nose
Swelling of the lining of the nose from allergies
Inferior turbinate hypertrophy, whichoccurs when the turbinates become swollen due to allergy or dust irritation.
Pyriform aperture stenosis, which is a rare birth defect where the front opening of the nose is narrow due to an overgrowth in the upper jaw bone
As you may expect, symptoms of nasal airway obstruction include nasal congestion or stuffiness, nasal blockage, breathing difficulties, and sleeping trouble. An ENT specialist can conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the extent of your nasal obstruction.
Do home remedies provide relief?
The extent of a patient’s nasal airway obstruction will determine their treatment options. Traditionally, NAO has been treated by ongoing home remedies and nasal surgery.
Ongoing home remediesinclude nightly breathing strips, nasal dilators, and nasal steroid sprays. While these may provide temporary relief, they are not a permanent solution. Likewise, nasal surgery, which often involves pain and recovery time, is not always effective.
Today, there is a third option to treat nasal airway obstruction: A procedure called Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling.
Experience lasting relief with VIVAER® nasal airway remodeling
Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling is a clinically-proven treatment that uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to gently and permanently reshape the nasal valve. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve cutting and can be performed in your doctor’s office. Plus, it is completed using only local anesthetic, which allows you to return to regular activity right away.
It is an excellent treatment option for patients who have narrow nasal valves but are not interested in or would not benefit from septoplasty. Our patients have experienced immediate improved breathing following the Vivaer® procedure.
Discover how the team at ExcelENT can help you breathe easy
Are you tired of treating your sinus issues with nasal strips and sprays? The team at Excel ENT of Alabama is passionate about sinus health and helping patients breathe better. Schedule an appointment with us to determine if you’re a candidate for Vivaer®.
