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Chronic sinusitis
Your sinuses are air-filled hollow spaces with membranes that produce mucus. When these membranes become inflamed, the openings close off and the mucus cannot drain and flush out germs, pollen, dust and allergens. These trapped germs and particles cause your sinus infection. If your sinus infection lasts for more than 12 weeks, it’s called chronic sinusitis.
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Yellowish green nasal discharge
- Facial fullness
- Coughing
- Frontal headaches, ear pressure, facial fullness or teeth pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
- Decreased sense of smell
Causes of Chronic Sinusitis:
- Nasal Polyps – soft non-cancerous growths that arise from the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses which can lead to obstruction
- Deviated Nasal Septum – significant sideways displacement of the wall that separates your nostrils can also lead to chronic sinusitis
- Allergies – allergens can cause significant inflammation in the nasal passages that can prevent your sinuses from draining properly
- Underlying medical conditions (i.e. cystic fibrosis)
- Weakened immune system
- Infections – viral, bacterial and fungal infections can lead to chronic sinusitis
Treatment Options for Chronic Sinusitis:
- Conservative care – nasal irrigation and over-the-counter decongestants can help, as can pain medications
- Prescription medications – nasal steroids and antibiotics are sometimes prescribed
- Avoidance therapy – following up on your allergy testing done in our office, we can help you avoid exposure to specific allergens that trigger your allergies and contribute to your sinusitis
- Allergen immunotherapy – can help desensitize your body to your unique allergens to help reduce sinus inflammation and symptoms
- Surgery – in cases refractory to medical therapy, procedures such as endoscopic surgery or balloon sinuplasty may be needed
If you would like to learn more about how Relief Allergy & Sinus Institute can help you get your chronic sinusitis under control, request an appointment today online or call (630) 513-1691.