How chronic sinusitis affects the quality of your life and what you can do to treat it:
Over 33 million Americans are affected by chronic sinusitis every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you’ve been coping with symptoms such as facial pressure, headaches, fatigue, a stuffy nose, or loss of sense of smell for a period of 12 weeks, it’s likely you have chronic sinusitis.
The first thing you should do if you have sinusitis symptoms is to visit your primary care doctor. For evaluation and treatment of chronic sinusitis or several episodes of acute sinusitis, your doctor may refer you to an allergist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Dr. Scott Robertson and his team of experts are here to provide an understanding of chronic sinusitis and how patients can seek treatment.
What is Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis can be described as the inflammation and blockage of the sinuses for more than 12 weeks. Patients with the condition often experience the following symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Feeling pressure in the face (especially around the eyes, forehead, and nose)
- Stuffy nose
- Loss of sense of smell
- Mucus dripping down the throat
- Headache
- Ear pain
- Cough
- Toothache
- Fatigue
What are the Causes of Chronic Sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is caused by various factors and can be tough to treat. Only your doctor can determine the cause of your condition after running a couple of tests. Some common causes of chronic sinusitis include:
- An infection
- A fungus
- A polyp (growth)
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Weak immune system
Chronic Sinusitis Treatment Options:
Effective treatment of chronic sinusitis should be able to reduce sinus inflammation and unblock the nasal passage to allow normal draining of mucus. Moreover, the treatment should be able to get rid of the underlying cause and prevent frequent recurrence of the condition. Some treatment options to relieve your symptoms include:
Saline Nasal Irrigation and Use of Corticosteroids
Your doctor may prescribe nasal sprays to fight off irritants and allergies and decongest the nasal cavity. Nasal corticosteroids can also be given to reduce inflammation, particularly if the swelling is caused by nasal polyps or growth.
Antibiotics
Chronic sinusitis caused by bacteria can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Immunotherapy
Infections, viruses, and fungi, as well as allergies, can cause sinusitis. Since allergies can also cause chronic sinusitis, your physician may prescribe allergy shots to improve your body’s reaction to common allergens.
Balloon Sinuplasty
Invasive surgery can be frightening, which is why many patients have discovered that balloon sinuplasty is the best minimally invasive treatment for their chronic sinusitis. Your ENT will perform this operation by inserting a tiny balloon catheter at the sinus opening and gradually inflating the balloon to open the sinus pathway and reshape the sinus cavity. As a result, drainage is improved and continues after the healing process. You'll be able to drive yourself home after the procedure and simply need a day or two to heal.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Endoscopic surgery may be preferred if your condition doesn't respond to normal medication like nasal sprays. With this type of surgery, the doctor employs a thin tube fitted with a camera to evaluate your sinus passages. When the source of obstruction is identified, various instruments are used to eliminate the inflammation.
PROPEL Sinus Stent
Patients with chronic sinusitis can benefit from PROPEL, a sinus stent that is implanted into the sinus after surgery in order to promote healing and minimize further treatments. As the first and only device clinically proven to keep sinuses open after surgery, PROPEL delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into healing tissues and then dissolves. Furthermore, Proepl reduces the risk of post-operative scarring and inflammation, thus reducing the need for additional surgery.
Don’t suffer in silence if you suspect you might be suffering from chronic sinusitis. Getting urgent treatment is imperative if you don’t want to be stuck with the symptoms.
More Patient Stories
