Is It Time to Look at Chronic Sinusitis Treatment for Your Constant Stuffy Nose?

  If your nose has been blocked for months, you are probably tired of hearing “it’s just a cold.” Pressure in the face, thick mucus, a dull headache and a weak sense of smell can hang around for weeks, and sometimes for years. When that happens, the right chronic sinusitis treatment matters far more than another round of cold tablets. At Premier Sinus, the focus is on finding out why your sinuses keep getting stuck, then fixing that cause instead of only covering the symptoms. This blog explains what chronic sinusitis is, what you can try yourself, and when it makes sense to see a specialist.

What Does Chronic Sinusitis Actually Feel Like?

Who knew your sinus problems could be so stubborn? The average sinus infection clears up within one to two weeks. But if you've had the inflammation and sinus problems for longer than that, your sinusitis may be chronic. Chronic sinusitis is defined by symptoms that last 12 weeks or more-even if you've received treatment.

Then, what is it like? Everyone's experience is unique. You might have a heavy sensation in your nose and cheeks or consistently blocked nose on one side. You might be hoarse or complain about mucus running down the back of your throat, or a cough that just doesn't quit at night. It could be bad breath, fatigue, and a fuzzy head. The point is, it doesn't feel like a terrible experience on any given day and that's why people put up with it for so long.

Why Do Sinus Problems Keep Coming Back?

Your sinuses are tiny, air-filled compartments in your face that empty through tiny openings, which can easily get swollen shut. If they get blocked, mucus hangs around and becomes a germ hot tub.

What's behind the swelling? A lot of the time, it's allergy. A lot of people who believe they have a sinus infection actually have an allergic problem at its core. It's why allergy treatment searches in Austin are prevalent - the pollen season here in Central Texas is long, intense, and relentless. Other reasons include a deviated septum, nasal polyps, big turbinates, or old infections that never really went away. Sometimes, it's a combination of 2 or 3 of these.

What Can You Try at Home Before Seeing a Specialist?

What can you do at home before summoning the pros? Just a few quick tips: Saline rinses are absolutely great. A mild salt-water rinse using boiled, distilled or otherwise sterile water can flush out mucus and allergens and at the same time moisten your lining. A blast of steam during a hot shower can temporarily soothe, if only for a little while.

Most OTC steroid nasal sprays can shrink the swelling too, but they need to be used daily and aimed properly – not as easy as it sounds. Many people have the spray pointing straight up the nose, but it's directed a little bit toward the ear on that side of the face. Give it a few weeks. If nothing happens or it keeps coming back, have it checked out properly.

When to See a Sinus Specialist?

Look for the right time. If your allergies have been going on for over 12 weeks, if you suffer from four or more sinus infections in a year, or if you've tried multiple rounds of antibiotics that haven't worked, it's time to get a specialist. Go to the urgent care if you experience swelling or fever around your eyes, a bad headache, or vision problems.

Premier Sinus is under the direction of Dr. Shawn Allen, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor with advanced rhinology (the study of nose and sinus disease) fellowship training. That additional training is a huge benefit in the complex cases. Sinus infection, nasal obstruction, deviated septum, nasal polyps, allergies, snoring, and sleep breathing concerns are treated here, so you don't have to be sent to multiple specialists for the various phases of your care.

How Does a Specialist Find the Real Cause?

Now, let's go through what happens at the specialist's office. We start with history. How long have you had these symptoms, what have you tried, and what makes it worse? Next, we put a tiny camera in your nose to look. It takes only a few minutes. The doctor can see swelling, polyps, or blockages of the drainage pathways directly, and often a CAT scan of your sinuses is performed to see the anatomic shape of the passageways and amount of disease.

Knowing this, the plan is customized to you. Two people who have the same complaint may require different treatment, and wild guesses have been leading to years of crappy antibiotics.

What Are the Medical and Surgical Options?

Starting with your doctor. Medical treatment can help manage your symptoms and may involve prescription medications such as nasal sprays, short-term oral steroids, and antibiotics, but only if there is bacterial infection. Controlling your allergies is important and allergy testing and treatment can greatly decrease the frequency of sinus swelling.

But if medicine doesn't do the trick, you may need a procedure to find relief. You can get balloon sinuplasty right in the office: a tiny balloon is inserted into the blocked sinuses and carefully expanded so the sinus can drain. No tissue is cut, and patients often leave the same day. (You may also be a candidate for an endoscopic sinus surgery, when your ENT doctor inserts a small camera through your nose to clear polyps or other obstructions. No cutting on your face.) Not everyone requires either, and a prudent doctor will tell you if you can avoid an operation altogether.

Can Sinus Trouble and Snoring Be Linked?

Believe it or not, yes. When your nose is clogged you will tend to breathe through your mouth at night, causing the tissues in your throat to vibrate and creating noise. This can be due to a deviated nasal septum, swollen turbinates, or nasal polyps. At times this congestion also leads to sleep apnea, where breathing stops for a moment during sleep.

The silver lining? If your nose is one of the culprits, fixing that can mean that you have more peaceful nights and a more restful slumber. If you're waking up tired, your partner is irritated by your snoring, or you notice a sudden spike in snoring when your sinuses are inflamed, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.

So, Where Do You Go From Here?

You don't have to just put up with a blocked nose. 01 15 Start with the basics, give them a real chance, and pay attention to symptoms that last beyond a few weeks. The correct treatment for your chronic sinusitis depends on its cause, and it's easier to determine when a skilled doctor takes a close look at the complexity of your anatomy. Did you snore, too? Ask about snoring treatment the same visit because opening the nasal passage could be the solution. Premier Sinus is standing by to help you breathe, sleep, and live better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of chronic sinusitis?

The duration of chronic sinusitis is twelve weeks or longer. Left untreated or when managed improperly, it may last for months or even years, with symptoms coming and going, one minute they are there, the next they are gone.

Is a sinus infection the same thing as chronic sinusitis?

No, not really. A typical sinus infection only lasts a few days or a week or two and then clears up. Chronic sinusitis is continuous swelling of the sinuses and you may or may not have an infection at any point in time.

Can you get rid of chronic sinusitis with antibiotics?

Antibiotics will get rid of bacteria, but that's only part of the problem and won't eliminate swelling. Which is why recurrent antibiotics only offer temporary relief.

Can allergies cause sinus issues?

Yes, very frequently. Because sinus issues are caused when allergens cause swelling in the nose and prevent drainage, treating allergies properly will typically decrease the frequency of sinus problems.