Sinusitis FAQs


What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining. If the sinus opening becomes blocked due to this swelling, normal mucus drainage may not occur, leading to recurrent sinus infections and painful symptoms. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting for less than four weeks, or chronic, lasting longer than 12 weeks. When sinus symptoms last longer than 12 weeks, you should see an ENT doctor for a diagnosis.

What is the difference between chronic sinusitis and allergies or colds?

Sinusitis is often preceded by a cold or allergy attack. Colds and allergies can lead to inflamed sinuses, causing the sinus openings to become blocked. This prevents normal mucus drainage and can result in sinusitis.

What are the common symptoms of sinusitis?

Common symptoms of both acute and chronic sinusitis include cloudy or colored (not clear) drainage from the nose plus one or both of the following:1

  • A stuffy, congested, or blocked nose
  • Pain, pressure, or fullness in the face, head, or around the eyes

Acute sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms last up to 4 weeks. It is usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Chronic sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or longer and is usually caused by prolonged inflammation, rather than a longstanding infection.

What types of doctors treat chronic sinusitis?

Many types of physicians including general and family practice physicians, pediatricians, and allergists may prescribe medication for sinusitis. However, if you have chronic sinusitis or if your symptoms do not improve with medication, you may be referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT doctor), or Otolaryngologist, who can discuss additional options to treat your chronic sinusitis.

How is sinusitis treated?

Sinusitis can be treated non-surgically with natural therapy such as inhaling steam or using saline nasal sprays, or ENT doctors can prescribe medications such as antibiotics or nasal steroid sprays. However, clinical studies show at least 20% of chronic sinusitis patients are not successfully treated with medical therapy.2 For patients who do not respond adequately to medications, an ENT doctor may recommend sinus surgery.

Traditional sinus surgery removes bone and tissue to enlarge the sinus opening with the aim of clearing blocked sinuses and restoring normal sinus drainage. With this procedure, sinus surgery recovery is often associated with pain and scarring.

Balloon Sinuplasty is a breakthrough, minimally invasive procedure that ENT doctors use to treat patients with chronic sinusitis. A tiny balloon is placed into the nose to reach the blocked sinuses and then inflated to restructure the sinus opening. The procedure is safe, effective and has a quick recovery.3,4

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Disclaimer: The information featured here is not intended as medical advice, or to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please talk to your doctor if you have questions. This content is intended for audience within the US only.

References

  1. Sinusitis - Patient Health Information. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2016.
  2. Lal, Devyank, et al. "Efficacy of Targeted Medical Therapy in Chronic Rhinosinusitis, and Predictors of Failure." American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, vol. 23, no. 4, Jan. 2009, pp. 396-400.
  3. Weiss, Raymond L., et al. "Long-Term Outcome Analysis of Balloon Catheter Sinusotomy: Two-Year Follow-Up." Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, vol. 139, no. 3_suppl_1, 2008.
  4. Stewart, Alexander and Vaughan, Winston. "Balloon Sinuplasty Versus Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis." Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. March 2010.