Chronic Sinusitis

Overview and Facts about Chronic Sinusitis

Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is a condition where there is inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses.

The condition is considered chronic when it lasts for at least 12 weeks, even with treatment. It can cause a variety of symptoms including facial pain and difficulty breathing.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis

Common symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion leading to breathing difficulty
• Thick and discolored nasal discharge
• Pain, pressure or fullness around the nose, cheeks, eyes and forehead
• Reduced sense of taste and smell

Other signs and symptoms may include the following:

• Headache
• Earache or ear pressure
• Aching upper teeth
• Bad breath
• Cough
• Fatigue

Causes and Risk Factors of Chronic Sinusitis

The most common causes of chronic sinusitis include the following:

• Infection from viruses, bacteria or mold
• Allergies
• A deviated nasal septum or other nasal structures that cause narrowing
• Complications from other medical conditions
• Tooth related complications
• Nasal growth or tumor

Tests and Diagnosis of Chronic Sinusitis

Your doctor, oftentimes an otolaryngology specialist, or ENT, will discuss your symptoms with you and will examine your head and neck.

They may also look inside your nose with a procedure called nasal endoscopy where a camera is passed into your nasal passages to look for signs of inflammation or blockages.

Other diagnostic methods include:

• Imaging studies: Your doctor may order an MRI or CT scan to view your sinuses in more detail. 
• Sinus and nasal cultures: Although these tests are not necessary, your doctor may recommend them if the chronic sinusitis is worsening or not responding to treatment. Culture tests can help to diagnose an underlying fungal or bacterial infection. 
• An allergy test: If your doctor thinks that your chronic sinusitis might be caused by an allergy, such as hay fever, he or she may recommend an allergy skin test. This is a quick, safe test and can help your doctor narrow down the allergens that are causing your sinus flare-ups.

Treatment and Care of Chronic Sinusitis

The aim of treatment for chronic sinusitis is to reduce sinus inflammation in order to improve your symptoms. Specific treatment is often tailored to each patient depending on the underlying cause of the sinusitis. Treatments can include any the following:

• Saline nasal irrigation
• Nasal sprays
• Treatment of underlying allergies
• Antibiotics if infection is noted
• Oral corticosteroids
• Sinus surgery

Surgery is often necessary to control the symptoms of chronic sinusitis. However, surgery itself is not always the end of treatment. The goal is to control the inflammation, and surgery can provide open passageways to help medications work better.

Each patient is different, so the treatment approach for you may be different from someone else. If you are uncertain about your sinus problems, speak to your physician to determine what might be right for you.