Find Relief with Advanced Nose and Sinus Treatments

Like the ear, head, and throat aspects of his practice, The brunt of Dr. Michael S. Cohen’s approach to nose and sinus treatments rests on early and accurate diagnosis for patients in the Long Island, New York, area. By correctly identifying an issue as soon as possible, Dr. Cohen and his team can prevent more serious problems with much less invasive treatments. He offers a full gamut of treatment options, from over-the-counter and naturopathic medications to prescription antibiotics and specialized compounds formulated specifically for a patient. If necessary, he can perform surgery.

A significant portion of his patients is referred to him by other ENT practices for revisions or for advanced cases. If necessary, he can coordinate with allergists, immunologists, or pulmonologists to provide you with optimal treatment.

Nose and Sinus Basics

While most people recognize that the nose is an important part of normal breathing, many do not know how it works. Although it primarily acts as a channel for air to reach the windpipe, the nose also filters that air so that contaminants do not reach the lungs and keeps the air reaching the lungs as moist as possible. The nose itself is separated into two passageways by a thin wall called the septum. These channels are further connected to a series of hollow cavities in the skull referred to as the sinuses. Although the precise function of the sinuses is not known, we do know that they play an important role in respiration and filtration and that they produce thin mucous that drain into the nasal passages.

While Dr. Cohen does primarily focus on the nose and throat at his practice, he can work closely with pulmonologists for [breathing problems at] deeper levels.

If any part of the nose or sinuses is compromised because of swelling or displacement, it can block off important airways and make breathing and/or mucous drainage much more difficult.

Common Conditions

Because breathing involves so many different structures in the body, Dr. Cohen typically looks at several levels when diagnosing breathing problems: the nose, the throat, the windpipe or trachea, and the lungs. Issues with any one of these areas can cause serious problems and while he does primarily focus on the nose and throat at his practice, he often works closely with pulmonologists for optimal care of the entire respiratory system. In general, the most common culprits of breathing problems are allergens, infection, or structural abnormalities.

Among the most common conditions are:

• Deviated septum: When the wall of cartilage separating the nasal passages is displaced, it can weaken or even block airflow. This can not only make patients uncomfortable, but it can often play a role in making patients more susceptible to congestion, noisy breathing, nosebleeds, and even infections.
• Sinusitis: One of the most easily misdiagnosed entities in medicine. Infections and inflammations of the sinuses often slip under the radar because their symptoms overlap with other health issues, including allergies, tension headaches, atypical migraines, temporal mandibular joint disorders, and ophthalmologic issues. 

Potential Treatments

To minimize discomfort and speed up recovery, Dr. Cohen strives to recommend the least radical or invasive treatment possible. However, if surgical intervention is required, his extensive background in endoscopic sinus surgery will ensure that you are in good hands.

Possible treatment options include:

• Allergy testing and immunotherapy: Dr. Cohen specializes in evaluating nasal allergies and can prescribe any necessary medications for controlling such issues. When appropriate, he will collaborate with immunologists or allergists for a more in-depth and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Balloon sinuplasty: Because surgery can require prolonged recovery, balloon sinuplasty may be offered as a no-cut alternative. Instead of disrupting or removing inflamed tissue that blocks the nasal passage, the doctor simply pushes it out of the way by inserting the thin, surgical balloon and inflating it. This procedure can often be performed under local anesthesia in the office and has a much faster recover time than traditional surgery.
• Endoscopic sinus surgery: If a patient’s sinuses drainages are blocked off or chronically inflamed despite alternative treatments, surgery may be necessary. This procedure is typically an outpatient one with a high rate of success. At an ambulatory surgical center, Dr. Cohen will use thin, fiber optic cameras to look directly into the sinus drainage passageways and assess the situation. While the exact surgery will depend on the patient’s needs, it often involves widening sinus drainage passageways, shrinking or removing inflamed tissue, and even simultaneously correcting a deviated septum (a procedure known as septoplasty).

Reach Out to Our Long Island ENT Today

Dr. Cohen’s emphasis on early, preventive treatment aims to shorten your overall treatment and recovery time so that you can begin breathing normally as soon as possible. If you are concerned that issues with your nose or sinuses are affecting your breathing, contact us today to set up an appointment and consult with him directly.