Recurrent Sinusitis Can Make Your Life Miserable
But Treatment from a Sinus Doctor Can Help
Sinusitis Is More than a Stuffy Nose
A stuffed-up nose is annoying. Sinusitis is debilitating—enough to affect your quality of life, and maybe the rest of your health as well. Sometimes referred to as rhinosinusitis or simply a sinus infection, sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed and swollen, and have difficulty draining mucus. The resulting build-up reduces your sinus drainage pathways even further and leads to pressure buildup and secondary infections. Sinusitis is a common disease that affects more than 31 million Americans, and can be serious.
According to recent studies, people who have sinusitis report a lower quality of life, partly due to the sleep deprivation that often occurs. Research also suggests that sinusitis sufferers are also more likely to have sleep apnea (another serious condition), and that chronic sinusitis is linked with alteration in brain activity, which may explain the depression and poor cognitive function many people experience.
Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis: Most often caused by a virus, acute sinusitis typically goes away on its own within seven days.
Chronic and recurrent sinusitis: If your sinus infection last more than 12 weeks, or occurs more than 4 times a year, it's considered chronic or recurring. This type does not typically clear without medical intervention.
What Type of Sinusitis Do You Have?
Symptoms of Acute Sinusitisexpand_more
A runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, a sore throat, coughing, clear or colored nasal discharge, facial pain or headache. You most likely have acute sinusitis and will probably be over it within seven days.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitisexpand_more
Sneezing, clear runny nose, itchy watery eyes, post-nasal drip. You most likely have allergic rhinitis and can treat it with allergy medication.
Symptoms of Bacterial Sinusitisexpand_more
Mucus that is thick and green or yellow, facial pain and sinus pressure. You may have bacterial sinusitis and should see a sinus doctor.
Symptoms of Chronic or Recurrent Sinusitisexpand_more
Symptoms similar to bacterial sinusitis that last for months, plus constant post-nasal drainage, difficulty breathing through your nose, a cough that gets worse at night, headaches that worsen if you bend down or strain.
Treatment for Sinusitis by a Top ENT
You should see a sinus doctor (ENT) if you suspect you need treatment for bacterial or chronic sinusitis. Dr. Marc Kayem has provided relief to sinusitis sufferers for over 20 years, and he can help you.
If medication doesn't work for your chronic sinusitis, he may recommend balloon sinuplasty. This non-invasive treatment can be performed in one office visit, offers nearly painless recovery, and has a success rate of over 90%.
Dr. Kayem can also perform Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in cases where balloon sinuplasty is not effective.