If you are struggling to taste and smell your cup of coffee every morning, then chronic sinusitis may be a possible cause. The good news is that chronic sinusitis can be well managed and treated to significantly improve your quality of life. If you are ready to adhere to the treatment plan of an experienced sinus specialist then you will be able to keep your nasal and sinus worries at bay.
Dr. Annabelle Leong is an experienced, UK trained ENT physician who has vast knowledge and experience in handling chronic sinusitis cases. She will be able to assist you with a flexible treatment plan to suit your schedule. If you are in Singapore, you can conveniently make an appointment with her at the ENT Clinic.
Singapore has a high presence of different forms of sinusitis cases, from acute to recurrent sinusitis. It is important to address chronic sinusitis to avoid complications. Occasionally, chronic sinusitis may result in eye infections, meningitis or even worsening of a pre-existing asthma condition.
What exactly chronic sinusitis is?
Sinusitis is when the sinuses or the cavities around the nasal passage become inflamed, interfering with nasal drainage, causing a build-up of mucous in the sinuses and nasal passage. Although both acute and chronic sinusitis have similar symptoms, the acute sinusitis is a temporary issue which could be due to an upper respiratory tract infection and resolve in a week or two. However, in the case of chronic sinusitis, the sinuses remain swollen for longer durations and sinusitis may be present for over three months, even with treatment.
How can you identify chronic sinusitis?
The most commonly observed signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis includes tenderness in the facial areas of the forehead and nose, a thick green or yellow nasal discharge, an obstructed nose, headaches, ear pain, loss of sense of taste and smell, bad breath and fatigue. With a combination of these symptoms and the prolonged nature of the condition makes chronic sinusitis uncomfortable to manage.
How does an ENT doctor diagnose chronic sinusitis?
An ENT physician would conduct a naso-endoscopic examination where a small camera is inserted to view the nasal passages. This would help to study the drainage pathways of the sinuses and let the ENT doctor know if there is any pus like discharge. The procedure is not painful, but could be uncomfortable. If the sinusitis is persistent, your ENT doctor would send a sample of the nasal discharge to the laboratory to identify the bacteria causing it. The lab tests would then reveal the types of bacteria present and the doctor would prescribe the antibiotic dose needed. More details may be assessed through a CT or MRI scan to study any structural deformities such as a deviated nasal septum or presence of nasal polyps. In rare cases a biopsy may be performed to study the sample under a microscope.
What are the treatment options for chronic sinusitis?
Your doctor will start you on a course of antibiotics if the sinusitis is caused by bacteria. Intranasal corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists help in reducing inflammation, while underlying allergic conditions should be controlled using antihistamines. When treatment by medication is not sufficient to tackle the issue – especially in cases where there is nasal obstruction, functional endoscopic sinus surgery may be needed. Most of the sinus surgeries are performed through the nose to relieve chronic sinus congestion without causing any facial scars.
How can I control chronic sinusitis?
It is important to manage your underlying conditions of asthma and allergies by avoiding allergens like mould and smoke. Keep your home and working environment as clean as possible. If you are a smoker, then it’s time to quit this habit. Nasal irrigation with saline water can help relieve symptoms. Leading a balanced life with proper foods and regular exercise will keep your immunity levels high helping to fight the extension of sinusitis.
When to seek emergency assistance for chronic sinusitis?
Urgent attention is needed if you have breathing difficulty or experience a worsening of symptoms. In addition, blurred vision, headaches with high fever, swollen eyes and stiff neck needs urgent intervention. Ideally, you should visit an ENT specialist if you are in severe pain and have nasal discomfort lasting more than a week or two.
