Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Frequent Sinus Infection. Permanent Cure?
Question: sinusisinflamed siusis every other week, please advice best way to control them.
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a plain CT Scan PNS (Para Nasal Sinuses) with 1mm coronal, axial and sagittal cuts done on a new multi-slice CT Scan Machine. This is the gold standard investigation for deciding the further course of action.
2. Get a CD of the above scan (also if you have a previous scan/s for comparison), and upload the images in the Reports section.
3. There is no substitute for direct history taking and nasal examination. For example, the color of the inner lining of your nose helps identify the cause. Reddish blue or purple signifies acute allergy, Red may signify vasomotor or intrinsic rhinitis. Pale or white nasal mucosa signifies chronic long standing allergy. The location of any headaches or sinus discomfort / pressure can give a clue as to which side and which sinuses are involved. Do you have any other signs and symptoms of sinusitis such as feverishness, post nasal drip? Is there any sinus discomfort related to the time of the day? Do you have any nasal obstruction, sneezing or nasal discharge?
4. While waiting for the scan results, I always give a trial of 15 days with an anti-histamine and anti-leukotriene, a steroid nasal spray and steam inhalation. Some patients respond well to this regimen. However this should be taken only under the supervision of your local doctor.
5. A nasal endoscopy will help. Sometimes the infection is fungal and not bacterial.
6. There are many options available for sinus surgery if medical treatment fails: FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Septoplasty for correcting a DNS (Deviated Nasal Septum), Radio Frequency ablation or Coablation of Hypertrophied Turbinates.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
1. Get a plain CT Scan PNS (Para Nasal Sinuses) with 1mm coronal, axial and sagittal cuts done on a new multi-slice CT Scan Machine. This is the gold standard investigation for deciding the further course of action.
2. Get a CD of the above scan (also if you have a previous scan/s for comparison), and upload the images in the Reports section.
3. There is no substitute for direct history taking and nasal examination. For example, the color of the inner lining of your nose helps identify the cause. Reddish blue or purple signifies acute allergy, Red may signify vasomotor or intrinsic rhinitis. Pale or white nasal mucosa signifies chronic long standing allergy. The location of any headaches or sinus discomfort / pressure can give a clue as to which side and which sinuses are involved. Do you have any other signs and symptoms of sinusitis such as feverishness, post nasal drip? Is there any sinus discomfort related to the time of the day? Do you have any nasal obstruction, sneezing or nasal discharge?
4. While waiting for the scan results, I always give a trial of 15 days with an anti-histamine and anti-leukotriene, a steroid nasal spray and steam inhalation. Some patients respond well to this regimen. However this should be taken only under the supervision of your local doctor.
5. A nasal endoscopy will help. Sometimes the infection is fungal and not bacterial.
6. There are many options available for sinus surgery if medical treatment fails: FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Septoplasty for correcting a DNS (Deviated Nasal Septum), Radio Frequency ablation or Coablation of Hypertrophied Turbinates.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
