How to Determine If You Have Chronic Sinusitis

When the tissues inside your sinuses become inflamed and blocked, for long periods of time due to swelling and mucus buildup, you may have chronic sinusitis.

What Is Chronic Sinusitis?

A common condition, chronic sinusitis (also called chronic rhinosinusitis) occurs when the sinuses (the cavities around your nasal passages) become inflamed and swollen for 12 weeks or more, despite attempts to treat it.

Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms

Chronic sinusitis is signaled by nasal inflammation and two or more of the following:

• Postnasal drainage where thick mucus leaks down the back of the throat
• Difficulty breathing through the nose due to nasal obstruction or congestion
• Facial pain, tenderness, or discomfort
• Sense of smell and taste is reduced in adults or a cough in children.

Other signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include:

• Ear pain
• Upper jaw and teeth soreness
• Cough that might worsen at night
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Exhaustion or irritability
• Nausea

How Does Chronic Sinusitis Develop?

The most common causes of chronic sinusitis include:

• Allergies, especially hay fever, that can cause inflammation leading to nasal passages inflammation and sinus blockage
• Nasal polyps, tissue growths inside the nose that makes breathing difficult because they block the sinuses
• Deviated nasal septum, which is an uneven wall between your nostrils that limits air flow through one or both nostrils
• Respiratory tract infections, infections in your nose, windpipe, or lungs caused by funguses, viruses or bacteria (most commonly colds) can cause your nose to become inflamed, thicken your sinus membranes, and block mucus from draining out of your nose

Treatment Options for Chronic Sinusitis

In many cases, chronic sinusitis can be effectively treated with conservative methods, unless you have complications because treatment was delayed, or there is an anatomical reason that's causing problems.

Conservative treatment options can include:

• Antibiotics: If chronic sinusitis is related to a bacterial cause, antibiotic prescription drugs may be prescribed
• Nasal decongestant sprays: Over-the-counter and prescription nasal sprays can help to shrink swollen nasal passages and help improve drainage
• Antihistamines: Treatment for allergies causing chronic sinusitis may involve antihistamines to relieve nasal inflammation, itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes caused by an allergic reaction
• Topical nasal corticosteroids: Prescription steroid nasal sprays are an effective option to reduce inflammation and swelling in nasal passages and sinuses
• Nasal saline washes and sprays: Nasal solutions are effective because when you wash the nasal passages, you can significantly clear thick secretions from your nose

When chronic sinusitis doesn't respond well to conservative sinusitis treatments, surgical treatment may be recommended and can include:

• Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to correct structural abnormalities that is performed using an endoscope (small camera) and surgical tools
• Balloon Sinuplasty, a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that uses a small balloon catheter to open up nasal passages
• Propel Sinus Implant is a small nasal implant that's typically inserted after FESS to keep the surgical area open, while it slowly releases cortisone to prevent scarring or polyp regrowth. The implant dissolves in about four weeks

How to Avoid Chronic Sinusitis

You can avoid chronic sinusitis by avoiding upper respiratory infections. Avoid people who have colds, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Work with your doctor to keep your allergy symptoms under control. Avoid tobacco smoke and air pollution.

Lakeside Allergy ENT is home to highly experienced board-certified otolaryngologists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of all ear, nose, and throat related disorders, including chronic sinusitis. Sinus infection treatment requires expert care. If you have symptoms of sinusitis, get started by requesting an appointment using the form on this page.