You’ve tried every at-home remedy you know of, but your sinus infection just won’t go away. If you need help getting relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of sinusitis, it may be time to seek medical attention.
Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis
A sinus infection is also called sinusitis. Most of the time, a case of sinusitis is considered acute: it typically goes away within 10 days and does not come back again after it resolves. However, if a sinus infection lasts more than 10 days or keeps recurring, it may be considered chronic.
Chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis have the same symptoms—congestion, thick green mucus, facial pain and a fever—but you may experience these symptoms to a more severe degree if the case is chronic. The infection may also spread so that you feel discomfort or pain in your ears or teeth.
Potential Causes of Chronic or Recurrent Sinusitis
Sinusitis can occur anytime fluid builds up in your sinuses (pockets of air behind your nose and face) and becomes infected. Here are some of the most common reasons this happens.
- Acute sinusitis never resolved. Sometimes acute sinusitis, which is most often caused by a cold or upper respiratory infection, evolves into chronic sinusitis if the infected fluid is never completely drained out.
- Asthma or allergies. These chronic conditions routinely inflame your airways, making you more susceptible to blocked nasal passages and an increased risk of fluid buildup.
- Structural issues. The way the cartilage and bone that make up your nose are built may affect your airways. Structural issues like a deviated septum may lead to chronic congestion and an increased chance of sinusitis.
- Growths. Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that occur on the lining of the nasal passages and obstruct airways.
Signs You Need Medical Attention
Most cases of acute sinusitis resolve on their own without any need for medical attention. Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, usually requires a doctor’s visit. Almost 3 million people seek medical care for sinusitis every year.
You should seek medical attention for a sinus infection if symptoms have persisted for more than 10 days. This is when the case moves from acute to chronic, and it probably indicates that there’s a deeper issue happening. You should also see a doctor if:
- The infection has come back after resolving
- You have a fever above 103
- You’re experiencing confusion or vision changes
- The infection hasn’t cleared up after completing a round of antibiotics
How an ENT Can Help
We recommend seeing an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, or otolaryngologist, for chronic sinusitis, as sinus issues are their specialization. They will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, then, through a series of imaging tests or sample processing, they will diagnose your sinusitis and determine the best treatment option.
Additionally, otolaryngology is a surgical specialty—ENTs can perform surgeries. Many of the causes of chronic sinusitis listed above can, in extreme cases, be recommended for surgery. This could be septoplasty to correct a deviated septum or Balloon Sinuplasty to open the sinuses.
To find the relief you need from chronic sinusitis, visit our ENTs at California Sinus Centers. Call today to make an appointment or learn more.