Chronic Sinusitis Treatments - Which One Is Right For Me?

Chronic sinusitis can be treated with a variety of different methods. Most doctors start with corticosteroids and antibiotics to relieve the symptoms before they move to more extreme measures. Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about chronic sinusitis treatments, and how to choose the treatment that’s right for you.

Antibiotics and Corticosteroids

Sinus infections can be caused by both viruses and bacterial infections. If your sinus infection is caused by bacteria, it may be treated effectively with antibiotics. However, most people experience viral infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics. In this case, corticosteroid nasal sprays can be used to reduce the swelling of the nasal passages and loosen up mucus. Corticosteroids can also be taken orally or injected directly into the sinuses for more stubborn cases.

Immunotherapy

A large number of people suffering from chronic sinusitis associate their symptoms with allergies. Immunotherapy is a series of allergy shots given to the patient that increase the body’s ability to fight off allergens without reacting, and is another common chronic sinusitis treatment. Immunotherapy is an ongoing treatment method that will require weekly or monthly shots for most patients.

Traditional Sinus Surgery

When simpler chronic sinus infection treatment options aren’t getting the job done, doctors turn to surgery to remove sinus tissue and open up sinus passages. During this process, small slivers of sinus tissue are removed, and the sinuses are flushed with a saline solution. This is an invasive procedure and does require some recovery time.

Balloon Sinuplasty

A more modern approach to sinuplasty is the balloon sinuplasty method. This procedure uses a tiny balloon that is inserted through the nasal cavity into the sinuses. The balloon is inflated gradually and pushes sinus tissue out of the way, compacting it. This is a minimally invasive procedure with few risks and requires far less recovery time than traditional surgery. There is no cutting involved and you will feel immediate relief. Additionally, the results are proven to last long-term so you will continue to benefit from the procedure for years.

American Sinus Institute

The American Sinus Institute offers a wide range of sinus treatment options for our patients. To schedule your consultation or learn more about balloon sinuplasty options, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss all of our treatment options and determine which one is right for you.