Dallas Breathe Free doctor: Sinus problems often begin with inflammation of the sinuses

Inflammation of the sinuses may also lead to ear problems as well, according to Dr. Monty Trimble of Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

"In patients who have significant sinus issues, upper respiratory infections can adversely affect the way the eustachian tube functions, and that's often why people may get fluid in their middle ear space, or they may get an ear infection," Trimble said. "I always tell patients that most of those things that people complain about, from stuffiness to decreased hearing because of an ear infection, can be improved by improving sinus health."

Procedures to open blocked sinuses can also help eustachian tube dysfunction, Trimble explained.

"During a sinus procedure, we can also dilate the eustachian tube to try to improve its function over time," he said. "That can also be very helpful as well. I also see a lot of people who tend to have a lot of muscle tension issues because of the sinus problems they are having, and that can also cause ear pain and pressure. We try to differentiate eustachian tube dysfunction from other causes, but the interesting thing is that seems like everyone who has a better functioning nose, who can breathe better through their nose, it seems like those issues ultimately will get better for those people."

Nasal inflammation, also known as known as sinusitis, blocks the air passageways, causing mucus to increase and potentially cause an infection, according to the American Sinus Institute. An estimated 37 million people in the U.S. suffer at least one episode of acute nasal inflammation each year.

There are four types of nasal inflammation: acute, sub-acute, chronic and recurrent.

"Acute nasal inflammation comes on very suddenly and includes pain that does not go away after 10 to 14 days," the American Sinus Institute said. "The acute type typically lasts four weeks or less. Chronic shares the same characteristics as the first two types and lasts eight weeks or longer. Recurrent inflammation consists of several repeated attacks, which happen within the time frame of one year."

Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offers a free Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz for potential patients to evaluate their symptoms.

Dallas Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area and beyond, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call  this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique, collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Dallas Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Center, please visit our website.