Find Relief for Chronic Sinusitis

Not all chronic sinusitis is the same. At Atkins Expert Sinus Care, our team of specialists can diagnose the specific type and recommend the appropriate chronic sinusitis therapy to provide you with more effective relief. Learn more about the three different types of chronic sinusitis:

• Chronic Sinusitis With Nasal Polyps – Polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that form in the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses. When they grow large enough, they can block airflow and trap mucus, leading to ongoing congestion and pressure. Removing the polyps is necessary to alleviate the symptoms.
• Chronic Sinusitis Without Nasal Polyps – With this type, the sinus lining becomes inflamed and swollen, but no polyps are present. Patients often experience facial pain, nasal congestion, and persistent thick nasal discharge.
• Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis – Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis develops as an allergic reaction to fungus in the environment. Patients may produce thick mucus that can cause significant blockages, often requiring specialized care.

Sinus infections are often categorized as either acute or chronic, depending on how long symptoms last. Knowing the different types of sinusitis helps you decide when it’s time to visit a specialist for treatment.

• Acute Sinusitis – Acute sinusitis usually occurs suddenly alongside a cold or respiratory infection. Symptoms of facial pressure, discolored nasal discharge, headaches, and fever often resolve within four weeks with proper rest, hydration, and treatment. Acute sinusitis can sometimes lead to chronic sinusitis if left untreated.
• Chronic Sinusitis – Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or longer, even with treatments. There’s often an underlying issue, such as allergies, polyps, or problems with the nasal structure, that requires professional attention to alleviate.

If your symptoms have lasted longer than 12 weeks or you’ve had four instances of acute sinusitis within a single year, you should seek professional chronic sinusitis treatment. Patients should also be aware of the following warning signs that require prompt medical care, including:

• High Fever
• Severe Facial Swelling
• Vision Changes
• Stiff Neck

At Atkins Expert Sinus Care, our providers have experience treating chronic sinus infections. Our ENT specialists take a thorough, patient-centered approach to chronic sinusitis. We start with a detailed evaluation, which may include a physical exam, nasal endoscopy, and imaging to find the underlying cause of your symptoms. From there, we will build a chronic sinusitis therapy plan tailored to your needs.

Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or longer, even with treatment. If your symptoms have persisted beyond this point, it’s a sign you should book an appointment to visit our clinic.

Diagnosing and treating the underlying problem often allows us to completely alleviate the symptoms of chronic sinusitis, providing long-lasting relief.

Chronic sinusitis itself is not contagious. However, if a virus triggered your sinus issues, that underlying virus could be spread to others.

Treating chronic sinus infections does not always require surgery. However, if polyps cause your chronic sinusitis, they will need to be removed to provide relief.

Yes. Chronic sinusitis is uncomfortable. However, patients who ignore the symptoms often develop more serious complications that can severely impact their day-to-day living. Learn more about some of the complications of untreated chronic sinus infections:

• Quality of Life – Constant congestion, facial pressure, poor sleep, and fatigue can take a toll on your body, especially after months of trying to manage symptoms on your own.
• Vision Problems – Because your sinuses sit close to your eyes, an infection can spread to the surrounding tissue. In rare cases, this leads to swelling, vision changes, or other serious eye issues.
• Infections – Sinus infections can spread to bones and, in rare cases, to the brain. While rare, these infections can be dangerous and require immediate medical care.