A persistent or recurring sinus infection is a condition known as chronic sinusitis.
It can seem like a severe cold since the symptoms are similar. You’ll likely know the difference if your symptoms never fully go away. Breathing can be affected as well, as can the ability to sleep through the night.
Treatment will depend on what’s specifically causing your sinus cavities to become inflamed, blocked, or irritated.
What Causes Chronic Sinus Infections?
Allergies that may include hay fever (allergic rhinitis), nasal polyps, nose-related deformities, and respiratory tract infections are among the common causes of chronic sinusitis. If you have recurring sinus infections, you may experience discharge from your nose, nasal inflammation, tenderness around areas where your sinuses are located – nose, cheeks, and lower forehead – or a feeling of constant nasal stuffiness or congestion. Some people also experience:
- Difficulty smelling
- Nasal drainage that’s thick or discolored
- Drainage that goes down the back of the throat (“postnasal drip”)
- Ear, jaw, or teeth pain
- Constant throat-clearing
- Sore throats
- Increased tiredness
- Bad breath
How is a Diagnosis Made?
During an initial examination, a visual inspection of your nose is usually done to look for abnormalities like a deviated nasal septum that could be contributing to chronic sinus infections. A flexible, lighted tube may also be used to look inside of your nasal and sinus cavities.
If it’s suspected you might have undiagnosed allergies, an allergy test may be performed. Should an infection be suspected, samples of your nasal or sinus drainage may be collected and tested. If there is a need to look for signs of inflammation, a physical obstruction, or structural problems with your sinus passages, a CT scan or MRI may be recommended by the doctor.
What Can Be Done to Treat Chronic Sinusitis?
Efforts to reduce or relieve nasal/sinus inflammation typically begin with the use of medications such as nasal corticosteroids. They usually come in the form of sprays, although nasal drops or mists are also available. If excessive drainage is your main source of discomfort, you might be advised to do saline nasal irrigation on a regular basis. These nasal solutions can also remove irritants that may be triggering your symptoms.
If traditional nasal sprays aren’t effective, oral or injected corticosteroids are sometimes recommended. Antibiotics are likely to be used if your infection is determined to be bacterial. At Nasal & Sinus Surgery Center, treatment for chronic sinusitis may also involve:
- Aspirin desensitization is a reaction to aspirin is aggravating your symptoms
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) to reduce your response to certain allergens if it’s determined allergies are responsible for your sinus infections
- Endoscopic surgery to remove sinus obstructions or a nasal blockage
- Surgery to correct a deviated septum
Because contributing factors can include structural defects like a deviated septum, dental infections, and allergies, it’s not always easy to prevent chronic sinusitis. This being said, you may be less likely to experience disruptive symptoms if you minimize contact with people who have colds, stay away from air pollutants and secondhand smoke as much as possible, and use a humidifier during the times of the year when you are indoors more often to minimize nasal and sinus irritation.