What are the signs and symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis?
i. Nasal Congestion
ii. Decreased sense of smell and taste
iii. Nasal drainage
iv. Facial pressure and pain
v. Frequent sinus infections
vi. Chronic fatigue
If you have any of these symptoms, you may suffer from chronic sinusitis. First line medical treatments include: nasal rinses (like the Netti pot), nasal steroid sprays, antibiotics and antihistamine medications. If your symptoms fail to improve with proper medical treatment we recommend an in office evaluation to include a brief nasal endoscopy to directly examine the sinus drainage pathways.
If signs of chronic sinusitis are present (nasal swelling, thickened mucous or nasal polyps), then we can further evaluate your condition with our in office CT scanner to examine all the sinuses to look for signs of obstruction and chronic inflammation.
Chronic sinusitis that does not respond to appropriate medical treatment can be treated in multiple ways:
Nasal Obstruction
Not all nasal congestion is due to chronic sinusitis.
If you symptoms are primarily difficulty breathing through the nose, especially if this is worsened during exercise or laying down. Then you may suffer from blocked nasal passages – this can be due to:
- A deviated nasal septum
- Turbinate enlargement
- Nasal valve collapse
- Septal turbinate hypertrophy
Deviated Septum
A deviated septum occurs when the cartilage and/or bone that makes up the middle wall of the nose gets pushed off (or deviates) to one side. This often causes breathing that is worse on one side, but may actually impact airflow on both sides. A deviated septum may be a consequence of prior nasal trauma (eg. sports injury) or may develop naturally over time. The nasal blockage from a deviated septum can sometimes be controlled with a nasal steroid spray, but often needs surgery (A septoplasty) to correct this.
Turbinate Hypertrophy
Turbinate hypertrophy occurs when normal ridges inside of your nose called turbinates enlarge in response to chronic inflammation or a deviated nasal septum. This condition often improves with nasal steroids, but if it does not, then a minimally invasive procedure to decrease the size of the turbinates may be indicated.
Nasal Valve Collapse
Nasal valve collapse occurs when the lateral sidewalls of the nose (the part you can pinch with your finger) are too narrow which blocks airflow before it can even enter your nasal passages. Imagine pushing your sunglasses down to slightly pinch the middle of your nose and keep them there all day and night. Nasal valve collapse is an underappreciated, but very significant source of nasal blockage. Often, the most severe cases of nasal blockage are due to nasal valve collapse which can have significant impacts on breathing during sleep and exercise. There are multiple treatments for nasal valve collapse and the best option depends on a patient’s unique anatomy and if other sites of obstruction are present.
Septal Swell Body
The septal turbinate (also known as the septal swell body) is an area of soft tissue on the anterior septum that can abnormally enlarge and cause nasal airflow obstruction. Again, nasal steroid sprays are the first line treatment for septal turbinate hypertrophy. If symptoms fail to improve, this area can be opened with a minimally invasive procedure in the office.
Concha Bullosa
A Concha bullosa is an abnormally pneumatized (air-filled) turbinate that can block proper airflow high in the nasal cavity.