Is My Sinus Infection Contagious?

Often times, sinusitis is not contagious. However, depending on the cause of the sinus infection, it can be spread to other people. To understand what this means, it is important to understand the causes of sinus infections first.

Viral Sinus Infection

Respiratory viruses, including colds and flus, can cause sinus infections and can be spread easily through hand-to-hand contact. Touching something that is contaminated by the virus, then touching your eyes, mouth or nose, can result in sinusitis. In addition, these viruses can be carried through moisture in the air from coughing, blowing your nose, and sneezing.

Bacterial Sinus Infection

Bacterial sinusitis can generate after a viral respiratory infection. Some common bacteria of sinusitis, include streptococcus pneumonia, staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and haemophilus influenza. These are less common and generally occur as a result of a severe sinus infection, when bacteria forms in the fluid-filled sinus pockets. In this case, antibiotics are needed to fight off the infection and the bacteria is unlikely to pass to another person.

Prevent Spreading Contagious Sinusitis 

The best precautions to take to prevent spreading contagious sinusitis, include washing your hands regularly, staying home for social encounters (work or school), wearing a face mask, and getting recommended virus vaccinations yearly. It is also important to cough and sneeze in the crease of your arm, instead of your hands, since you rarely touch anything with your arm.

Prevention of Non-Contagious Sinusitis 

Although not contagious, there are some precautions to take when you have a bacterial sinusitis. If you have chronic or acute sinusitis, a nasal spray or nebulizer will help keep the inside of your nose damp. Flushing out the nasal passages may also help mucus drainage, reduce swelling, and clean your airways of any infectious allergens and debris.

If you are a smoker, you are at an increased risk of developing sinusitis, so you may consider quitting. Additionally, a smoke-free home is also important since second-hand smoke is also a risk factor of sinus infections. Similar to any other sickness, drinking a lot of fluids and maintaining a healthy diet helps your body heal efficiently.

In any case, if you feel like your own prevention methods are not working for you, it is important to seek professional help to relieve your disruptive sinusitis symptoms and restore your energy again. Dr. Lapco, an ENT, can address your sinus problems and start treatment, in order for you to feel better in a short time.

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Top Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty

Top Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon Sinuplasty safely and effectively dilates sinus openings that results in relief from sinus symptoms. This procedure has three easy steps: the device is inserted into the blocked sinus, the balloon inflates and expands the sinus opening, and then it is removed, leaving the sinus cavity open. Besides being a simple and safe procedure, here are some top benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty.

• Less pain, trauma, and side effects
  Since this is a non-surgical procedure, Balloon Sinuplasty is less painful and causes less trauma to the sinuses compared to a traditional sinus surgery. Along with this benefit, Balloon Sinuplasty has no post-surgical swelling or bruising, meaning a minimal recovery time and no incisions required.
• Conducted through an in-office procedure
  A Balloon Sinuplasty can be performed comfortably without general anesthesia, in the familiar in-office environment. The entire procedure takes less than an hour, and patients usually return to their regular daily activities within two days.
• Potentially lower out-of-pocket costs
  In cases where patients have in-office procedures, this could be lower cost overall. Since it isn’t necessary to pay for general anesthesia and outpatient services, like with traditional sinus surgery, it is not only an effective treatment but cost-effective as well.
• The relieving benefits
  Of course, one of the top benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty is the relief it provides sinus sufferers, in such a short amount of time. Patients suffering from chronic sinusitis see relief in pressure, pain, congestion and fatigue after their procedure. Essentially, Balloon Sinuplasty can completely change a patient’s life.

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis or have troubling sinus symptoms, a Balloon Sinuplasty could be the right minimally invasive procedure for you. Call our office today for more information.

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Living with Allergies

Allergies are a very common overreaction of the immune system to usually harmless substances. An allergy occurs when your body’s immune system sees a certain substance as harmful. Unfortunately, convincing your body otherwise is not an easy task.

The problem with allergies is that the direct cause can be hard to figure out. Substances that can cause allergies are known as allergens. Allergens can be found in food, drinks, and the environment. Many allergens are harmless and do not affect most people. Allergy symptoms may include red eyes, skin rashes, sneezing, skin swelling, runny nose, itchy rash, etc.

There are many types of allergies. Some allergies are seasonal, and others are year-round. Some allergies may be lifelong. The most common forms of allergies include, but are not limited to:

• Drug Allergies
• Food Allergies
• Insect Allergies
• Latex Allergies
• Mold Allergies
• Pet Allergies
• Pollen Allergies

Improving Your Sleep When Living With Allergies

If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, then you will know that the constant itching, sneezing, and stuffiness won’t stop at bedtime. Most allergy sufferers say that their symptoms impact their sleep, and you are likely the same. However, you can turn your bedroom into an allergen-free zone by implementing the following tips at home:

1. Keep your indoor air clean.
2. Keep your bed sheets clean.
3. Shower at night instead of morning.
4. Keep your mattress and pillow clean.
5. Consider anti-allergy bedding.

These simple yet actionable solutions can make it much easier to overcome the stress caused by allergic reactions that you would much rather avoid. It won’t stop them entirely, but it should limit reactions and thus the impact reactions have on you.

Preventing Allergies When Traveling

Whether you travel every week for business purposes or occasionally for leisure, suffering from pollen or dust allergies while traveling is hugely annoying. Instead of just persevering, tell your allergies to hit the road by following these simple steps:

• Before you step out of the door, check pollen counts at your destination and what allergens are common where you are going.

• Pack all medicines in your purse or bag or something that you will have at hand in the car, in your train seat, or on your flight. Keep them close by.

• If you are using a dust proof pillow or bed sheet at home, pack each of these for the trip – you’ll notice a big improvement by doing so.

• If you have a food allergy, pack your own snacks so that you won’t need to take a chance on airline or train station food!

• Consider traveling during low traffic periods, such as early in the morning or late evening. You will avoid the higher levels of pollution and spend less time on the road.

Allergies and Pet Owners

Pet allergies mostly come from your pet’s fur. Sadly, 100%, truly non-allergenic dogs or cats do not exist. The symptoms of pet allergies are itching and stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, etc. – you will know the signs and symptoms as soon as they start flaring up.

The best treatment and preventative solution is to avoid contact with dogs or cats or the areas where they live. Avoiding dogs and cats may prevent the need to take medicine.

If you have a dog or cat, not allowing them in the bedroom or on furniture can help prevent your symptoms. Vacuuming often to remove fur and dander will help to give you at least some kind of relief from the irritation that you feel.

If you want immediately satisfying relief of your allergies, please contact Dr. Lapco’s office today.

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Balloon Sinuplasty 101

A Balloon Sinuplasty is a revolutionary new way to safely and efficiently relieve patients of their chronic sinusitis symptoms. With this minimally invasive procedure, there are no incisions and the procedure is shown to be more effective than the traditionally invasive sinus surgery.

Balloon Sinuplasty Procedur

Utilizing a small flexible, balloon catheter, a Balloon Sinuplasty is the leading-edge sinusitis treatment for many reasons. In four simple steps, patients can be relieved of their uncomfortable sinus pain symptoms:

1. The balloon catheter device is smoothly inserted into the inflamed sinus passage.
2. The balloon then is inflated to restructure and widen the sinus wall to expand the inflamed sinus passageway, while leaving the sinus lining unharmed.
3. A saline solution is then sprayed into the inflamed sinus, flushing out built-up pus and mucus.
4. The balloon catheter is removed, leaving a cleaner and open sinus.

What to Expect After Balloon Sinuplasty 

Recovery times vary with each patient, but it is much faster than traditional sinus surgery. In most cases, patients returned to work and regular activities within two days. The Balloon Sinuplasty is also proven to be more effective. Most patients who suffered from chronic sinusitis reported significant improvement in sinus symptoms two years after their procedure.

If you have been suffering from chronic sinusitis and are not responding well to medications or traditional sinus surgery, Dr. Lapco offers the less invasive, proven technology. He offers a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure in-office under local anesthetic, so there is no need for operating rooms or general anesthetic. See how simple it can be to alleviate your sinusitis symptoms with the revolutionary Balloon Sinuplasty procedure today.

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Choosing the Best ENT Doctor

Complications involving the ear, nose and throat can significantly affect an individual’s lifestyle. For example, people suffering from chronic sinusitis experience continuous facial pressure, headaches, and congestion. These symptoms can prevent them from fulfilling daily tasks, which negatively alters their quality of life. If you find yourself staying home from work or skipping important events because of ear, nose, and throat problems, it may be time to consult with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, or ENT, or also known as an otolaryngologist.

But, how do I choose an ENT specialist

Board-Certified –
The most important factor in choosing an ENT is that they have board certification. The largest certification organization for experienced otolaryngologists is the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO). To qualify for ABO certification, doctors must complete a four-year college degree, four years of medical school and five years or more of specialty training. Then they are required to pass the ABO examination. With ABO certifications, you will know that your ENT has the expertise and continuous education to effectively diagnose and treat your condition.

Check the Experience –
After eliminating any ENTs that are not board-certified, you may want to check how much experience they have, especially with your particular condition. Do some research on how long they’ve been practicing because the more experience they have, the more options and expertise they can offer their patients. Dr. Lapco in Pompano Beach, FL has over 15 years of experience, which shows his dedication and success being an otolaryngologist.

Stays up to date with advances, current treatment, and courses for updates –
Public involvement and recognition speak volumes about ENTs and their commitment in the specialized field. A quick search on their website should reveal whether successful in their practice, and outside their practice by staying up to date with the latest research and techniques. This indicates the doctor’s credibility as well as their ability to provide the best treatment available for you.

In summary, if you suffer from chronic allergies, sinus pressure, pain, or any other related complications, seek the assistance of a qualified ENT specialist, like Dr. Lapco today.

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Balloon Sinuplasty 101

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon Sinuplasty is a simple in-office procedure that was developed in order to relieve symptoms of nasal congestion, nasal obstruction, chronic and recurrent sinus infection, sinus headaches, facial pressure, and other symptoms of the nose and sinuses. Balloon Sinuplasty has been around for more than a decade with proven long-lasting results.

This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, without the need for general anesthesia or a trip to the operating room, with minimal discomfort and very short downtime.

The results are noted by the patients sometimes after just a few days but most commonly after the first week.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The Balloon Sinuplasty is performed in our office using just local anesthesia. The patient typically spends about 90 minutes in our office. Most of that time is used to numb up the area with cotton in the nose. Normally the patient will take a light sedative. The procedure itself takes between 20-30 minutes to complete and the patient goes straight home with all the instructions needed.

What are the Benefits?

• Lower risk of bleeding
• Much faster recovery time
• Minimally invasive
• Fewer postoperative appointments are required
• Reduced need for the use of pain medications
• Reduced risk of scarring and continued inflammation
• In-office; no need for general anesthesia or going to the O.R.

Most of the time this procedure is covered under a simple in-office copay. Once you decide to move forward with the procedure, we will contact your insurance company for exact details.

What is Recovery Like?

Most patients take a day or two to recover or have the procedure done close to the weekend to recover during that time. Most patients return to their normal daily activities after 2-3 days.

If you are interested in Balloon Sinuplasty, speak with Dr. Lapco and he will examine your medical history and help determine which sinus treatment options are best for you.

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Do You Have Sinusitis?

If you have ever had allergies or cold symptoms that don’t seem to go away, there’s a good possibility you actually are suffering from sinusitis. Since these symptoms closely mimic other health complications, many sufferers never see an ENT specialist for proper treatment. However, sinusitis is still one of the most common health conditions in America.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis refers to an infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities caused by bacteria. This infection leads to persistent congestion that may last a month or longer. If you have frequent, recurring sinusitis, or the infection lasts longer than three months, you could be suffering from chronic sinusitis. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis may be milder than acute sinusitis. However, if left untreated, chronic sinusitis may cause damage to your sinuses.

Treatments of Sinusitis

If you are experiencing the unbearable symptoms of sinusitis, including congestion, headaches, tenderness, fatigue, and nausea, you may be wondering what treatments are available from your ENT specialist, Dr. Lapco. Medicines, including decongestants, antibiotics, and nasal steroids may be prescribed, but it’s estimated that 60 percent of chronic sinusitis cases cannot find relief with just medication.

For these patients, Dr. Lapco will suggest the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure, which is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon Sinuplasty safely and effectively clears sinus openings and provides lasting relief from chronic sinusitis symptoms for up to two years. This non-invasive procedure can be performed comfortably without general anesthesia right here in our office. In just three simple steps, you can eliminate your chronic sinusitis.

• Step One: A flexible guidewire is inserted into the nasal cavity, into the blocked, inflamed sinus.
• Step Two: A balloon is placed over the guidewire and inflates to expand the sinus opening, allowing for proper drainage of built-up mucus or pus.
• Step Three: The balloon catheter is removed, leaving the sinuses open and undamaged.

Since this is a non-surgical approach, most patients return to their daily activities within two days. A Balloon Sinuplasty is shown to be more effective and efficient than traditional sinus surgery.

If you want immediately satisfying relief of your unbearable sinusitis symptoms, please contact Dr. Lapco’s office today.

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