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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

When you see your doctor, you can expect a thorough examination of your sinuses. Your doctor may also examine your eyes, ears, nose and throat. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may want to know:

  • Exactly what symptoms you have
  • When your symptoms started
  • What, if anything, seems to improve or worsen your symptoms
  • Whether you have a cold or other respiratory infection or you've had one recently
  • If you have allergies
  • If you smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke or other airborne pollutants
  • What medications you take, including herbal remedies
  • What other health problems you have

Preparing a list of questions you have before the appointment may help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For acute sinusitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatments are available? What do you recommend?
  • What side effects can I expect from treatment?
  • I have other medical problems. How can I best manage them together?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Sinuses|Sinusitius|Rhinosinusitis. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-a-to-z-search/sinuses,-sinusitis,-rhinosinusitis.aspx. Accessed March 25, 2013.
  2. Lalwani AK. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=39. Accessed March 25, 2013.
  3. Fact sheet: 20 questions about your sinuses. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/sinuses.cfm. Accessed March 31, 2013.
  4. Aring AM, et al. Acute rhinosinusitis in adults. American Family Physician. 2011;83:1057.
  5. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM): Prevention & control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/prevention.html. Accessed March 24, 2013.
  6. Meltzer EO, et al. Rhiosinusitis diagnosis and management for the clinician: A synopsis of recent consensus guidelines. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86:427.
  7. Hayward G, et al. Intranasal corticosteroids in management of acute sinusitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Family Medicine. 2012;10:241.
  8. Leung RS, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic sinusitis. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:11.
  9. Sinupret+. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed April 1, 2013.
  10. SinuGuard. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed April 1, 2013.
DS00170 July 2, 2013

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