Few feelings are more disconcerting than not being able to catch your breath and get the oxygen you need. There are dozens of reasons why this can occur, from sprinting to catch the bus to more serious breathing issues.
You have a headache or pressure in your face, and you’re tired of struggling with the discomfort. To truly get to the bottom of the problem, one of the best tools is computed tomography (CT).
To provide you with the best possible care, Cecil Yeung, MD, and our team here at Houston Sinus Surgery are equipped with the most advanced imaging technology, including the all-important CT scan.
Here’s a look at how a CT scan can get you on the road to relief more quickly.
When it comes to diagnostics, we’re fortunate to have several tools at our disposal that allow us to take a look at the structures inside your body without having to open you up.
The first technology to provide this important service was the X-ray, which delivers radiation into your body that allows us to get a good look at your hard tissues, namely your bones. This technology is still a frontline diagnostic tool, but it’s limited in that we’re not able to detect inflammation or problems in your soft tissues.
To accomplish this, we often turn to a CT scan, which is the next level of X-ray. With a CT scan, we again deliver radiation into your body, but we gain a far higher level of detail as well as a 3-D image.
A CT scan rotates around the target area to deliver cross-sectional views of your internal structures, which a computer then pulls together to provide a detailed, 3-D scan.
With a CT scan, we’re able to identify inflammation, infections, and even problems with blood vessels.
Your nasal passageways are connected to a system of hollow spaces called sinuses. Sinuses perform several functions, including moisturizing the air you breathe and regulating your voice.
Since your sinuses absorb everything you breathe in, they’re prone to infections — such as sinusitis — allergies, and inflammation, all of which can create sinus and head discomfort.
With a CT scan, our goal is to get a closer look at what’s happening inside your sinuses. For example, if you have inflammation, that’s readily visible on a CT scan. We can also detect any structural issues or blockages with this type of imaging.
One of the best features of a CT scan, aside from its great detail, is that the procedure is completely painless. All you have to do is hold still for less than a minute while the machine goes to work.
Once the imaging is done, the computer pulls together the cross-sections and delivers a 3-D image of your sinuses in no time at all.
With this information in hand, we can then get you started on an appropriate treatment plan to relieve your sinus problems.
To learn more about how a CT scan can help with your sinus issues, book an appointment online or over the phone with Houston Sinus Surgery today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Few feelings are more disconcerting than not being able to catch your breath and get the oxygen you need. There are dozens of reasons why this can occur, from sprinting to catch the bus to more serious breathing issues.
A cerebrospinal fluid leak sounds incredibly serious and, we assure you, it is. Here, we explore this rare condition, how it can develop, and, most importantly, the steps we can take to remedy the problem.
Certain breathing issues can flare up suddenly and require immediate action, which is certainly true of reactive airway disease and asthma. Here’s a look at some of the signs of a reactive airway and the steps you should take.
Thyroid nodules are incredibly common. In fact, half of all people get them by age 60. The good news is that they’re mostly benign. However, they can cause symptoms. Here’s a look at what can cause thyroid nodules.
You’re constantly clearing your throat thanks to excess mucus that’s draining out the back of your nose and sinuses, and you’re tired of the irritation. Here’s a look at some of the many potential causes of post-nasal drip.
Are your efforts to be active cut short or limited by your inability to tap into smooth, deep breathing? Here’s a look at what might be behind the problem and how we can help.