Chronic Sinusitis: The Cold That Won’t Go Away

Suffering from
Chronic Sinusitis

Are you suffering from a cold that’s been holding on? When it’s past Valentine’s Day and your sinuses have been stuffed up since before the Holidays or longer, you may have chronic sinusitis.

Sinusitis (sinus infection) is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. Its symptoms include a headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or one side of the head. You may also have a cough, a fever, bad breath, nasal congestion, nasal secretions, and you may snore at night.

Sinus infections are characterized by how long they last and the location of the affected areas. When one or more of the sinuses is infected for a short term, from a week to three months, it is considered acute sinusitis. When an infection lasts more than three months, it is considered chronic and is often caused by allergies or a physical abnormality such as a deviated septum, or malformed bone.

Chronic sinus infection symptoms may be less severe than an acute infection but it can also last for years. There are four types of sinus infections with varying symptoms and treatments which depend on the cause.

To treat chronic sinusitis due to allergies, prescription nasal steroid sprays can decrease nasal inflammation and can be safely used for a long period of time. Antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness can be used to reduce allergic nasal congestion, either alone or with nasal spray. Allergy injections gradually reduce symptoms and the need for medication and can help patients with allergies that have been identified through skin or blood tests.

Often antibiotics are combined with decongestants and/or nasal steroid spray as an effective way to eliminate chronic sinusitis. When that doesn’t work,  endoscopic sinus surgery is an option for those who do not respond to antibiotic therapy. Using a CAT scan of the sinuses to confirm the chronic condition, endoscopic sinus surgery may be used to drain the sinuses.

There is now a relatively new procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty™ that treats blocked sinus passages. It is a less-intrusive form of surgery that can be performed in a doctor’s office on an out-patient basis. During the procedure, an endoscopic catheter inserts a small, flexible balloon into the sinus passageways, and is then inflated. The balloon gently widens and restructures the walls of the passageways, enabling the sinuses to drain.

If you’ve been suffering from chronic sinusitis, contact your doctor today and schedule an examination, or if you’re in the New York City area, feel free to contact the Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center for expert diagnosis.

Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice, diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may have a snoring disorder, contact your physician today.