Have you ever had allergy or cold symptoms that wouldn’t go away? If your symptoms are persistent for more than 10 days, you are likely to be suffering from sinusitis. Sinusitis is a common health condition where the sinuses are infected or inflamed, causing painful symptoms and difficulty breathing. Sinusitis affects over 35 million Americans every year, which could be more, but many individuals’ sinusitis goes undiagnosed because of the similar symptoms of colds and allergies.
At Alabama Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists, we see many patients suffering from chronic, acute, and recurrent sinusitis every week.
What are Sinuses?
Sinuses are openings in the bones around the nose that connect to the nose through small channels. When the sinuses are healthy, it allows air to enter the nose properly and mucus made in the sinuses are drained into the nose.
What is Sinusitis?
Also called rhinosinusitis, sinusitis is a very common condition that occurs when viruses, bacteria, or fungus infect the sinuses. When sinusitis occurs, the body reacts by causing the sinus lining to become swollen, which blocks the channels that drain the sinuses. This causes mucus to build up the nose and sinus cavities, which can cause many common symptoms:
- Nasal congestion and cloudy drainage
- Lack of energy
- Headache and facial tenderness or pain
- Loss of smell
- Sore throat and postnasal drip
There are a few types of sinusitis, including acute sinusitis, recurrent sinusitis, or chronic sinusitis.
- Acute Sinusitis – Diagnosed when common symptoms last up to four weeks.
- Recurrent Sinusitis – Symptoms are relieved, but recur every few weeks.
- Chronic Sinusitis – Lasts for 12 weeks or longer and is generally caused by prolonged inflammation, rather than a persistent infection.
Sinusitis: Bacterial or Viral?
Viral sinusitis is likely if you’ve been sick less than 10 days and your symptoms improve. Bacterial sinusitis is likely if you do not improve after 10 days of getting sick. It is important to tell what your sinusitis is caused by because it is treated differently in each case. Viral sinusitis does not benefit from antibiotics, but can be treated with pain relievers or nasal sprays. However, more extensive procedures may be needed if these treatments aren’t effective.
Do I Need Sinus Surgery?
An appointment with Alabama ENT Specialists can help determine the best treatment option for your sinusitis. Fortunately, there is a non-surgical option for chronic sinusitis, called Balloon Sinuplasty, which effectively opens and clears your sinus pathways. Find out more on our Balloon Sinuplasty page. Surgery is recommended when symptoms cannot be controlled with any other treatments.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
The most common sinus surgery is endoscopic sinus surgery, or ESS, which expands the sinus drainage pathways, utilizing an endoscopic method. During surgery, one of our certified doctors inserts an endoscope through your nostrils to view the sinus openings. Then a series of micro-cutting instruments are utilized to remove abnormal tissue that obstructs proper nasal performance. Removing this tissue expands the openings to the sinuses, helping clear sinuses and promote healing. Many patients take approximately two weeks of recovery before returning to their daily activities.
If you have chronic or persistent cold symptoms that don’t seem to go away, you may have a form of sinusitis. Contact us as soon as possible to alleviate these unbearable symptoms of sinusitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sinus headache?
Sinus headaches are often a symptom of sinus infections and often feel like a dull pain behind the eyes, forehead, or the bridge of the nose. They usually go away once the sinus infection is treated or runs its course.
What is the first sign of sinusitis?
Some of the first signs of sinusitis include mucus dripping down the throat, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, and/or facial pressure. Other symptoms can include ear pressure and pain, fever, pressure in the teeth, cough, and headache.
What should I do if I have sinusitis?
With sinusitis, you can usually take care of it on your own at home. Over-the-counter cold and allergy medication, decongestants, and drinking plenty of fluids are usually enough to treat the infection. If your symptoms don’t improve within a week, seeing your healthcare provider is recommended. They will prescribe antibiotics or decongestants.
Can sinusitis cause brain fog?
Yes, brain fog can be one of the primary symptoms of sinusitis, especially if it’s left untreated. The inflammation can spread from the sinuses to the base of the skull.
How do you get sinusitis?
Sinusitis is typically caused by a virus or bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi. Viral or bacterial sinusitis is the most common type and is usually not as severe as the fungal type.
How do I know if it's viral or bacterial sinusitis?
Most sinusitis starts as a viral infection, similar to a common cold. You can suspect a bacterial cause if your symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement, if you experience severe symptoms like high fever (102°F or higher) with facial pain lasting 3 to 4 days, or if you notice "double worsening" where symptoms improve and then suddenly get worse again. Viral sinusitis typically resolves within 7 to 10 days and doesn't respond to antibiotics, while bacterial sinusitis often requires antibiotic treatment.
What is chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses lasting 12 weeks or longer despite treatment attempts. Patients typically experience persistent nasal congestion, facial pressure or pain, reduced sense of smell, and thick nasal discharge. Common underlying causes include nasal polyps, a deviated septum, allergies, or recurring infections. Treatment may involve nasal corticosteroids, saline irrigation, or in some cases, sinus surgery to improve drainage.
Is sinusitis contagious?
Sinusitis itself isn't contagious, but the underlying cause may be. If your sinusitis stems from a viral infection like a cold, you can spread that virus to others through respiratory droplets. However, sinusitis caused by allergies, nasal polyps, or structural issues is not contagious. It's wise to practice good hygiene by washing hands frequently and covering coughs and sneezes, especially during the first few days of symptoms.
How can sinusitis be prevented?
Prevention centers on reducing exposure to infections and irritants while keeping your nasal passages healthy. Washing hands frequently and avoiding touching your face helps prevent viral infections that lead to sinusitis. Managing allergies effectively with medications or immunotherapy reduces inflammation that predisposes you to sinus problems. Using a humidifier keeps nasal passages moist, while avoiding cigarette smoke and other irritants protects the delicate sinus lining. Staying current on vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 also helps, and regular saline nasal rinses can clear irritants and pathogens, especially during cold season.
What is recurrent acute sinusitis vs. chronic sinusitis?
Recurrent acute sinusitis involves four or more separate sinus infections per year, with each episode lasting less than 4 weeks and complete symptom resolution between episodes. Chronic sinusitis, by contrast, is continuous inflammation lasting 12 weeks or more without significant symptom-free periods. This distinction matters for treatment planning. Recurrent acute sinusitis may respond well to preventive measures and addressing underlying triggers, while chronic sinusitis often requires more comprehensive evaluation and potentially surgical intervention to restore proper sinus function.
