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Sinusitus

How to Treat Chronic Sinusitis

September 1, 2021

4 minutes

Reviewed by Michael Kaplan, MD

If you or a loved one have been struggling with recurrent sinus issues, the experts at Kaplan Sinus Relief are here to explain how to treat chronic sinusitis. Rhinosinusitis, better known as sinusitis, is a sinus infection which manifests itself as an inflammation of the sinuses. Symptoms include headaches, facial pressure, mucus buildup, a sore throat, and more. 

Though some patients see sinus infections as no big deal, avoiding sinusitis treatment for long periods of time may result in chronic sinusitis complications. Michael Kaplan, M.D. and his team of sinus experts are here to help you explore treatment options to see which could be the best for you long-term.

Why treating chronic sinusitis is important

Before learning how to treat chronic sinusitis, we first need to discuss the dangers of chronic and untreated sinusitis. If untreated, sinusitis complications can last a long time and can be dangerous to your health. If the infection spreads to vital parts of the body, it may interfere with how your eyes, nose, and brain function and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening. 

If you have pre-existing conditions, sinusitis can only make things worse. For example, acute sinusitis is a common complication of patients suffering with cystic fibrosis which can only worsen the respiratory disease. If you have a deviated septum, you are more susceptible to frequent sinus infections. 

Chronic sinusitis can have lasting effects on your body if not treated properly. Here are Dr. Kaplan’s recommendations for how to treat chronic sinusitis. 

Keep reading: What is a deviated septum?

Chronic sinusitis treatment options 

Due to the severity of the infection, there are short-term and long-term options for how to treat chronic sinusitis. After consulting with a doctor, you should be able to choose what works best for you. 

Short-term relief: Home remedies 

  • Over-the-counter medications: Pain medications can help reduce the pain of a headache or facial pressure.
  • Nasal irrigation: The act of using a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal passages. The most common forms of nasal irrigation are the Neti pot or saline spray.
  • Avoiding allergens or irritants: If you do suffer from allergies, avoiding allergens or getting allergy shots can help reduce congestion and the swelling of the sinus lining. 

However, over-the-counter medications and Neti pots can only provide temporary relief. Patients who try to use home remedies as long-term solutions may be disappointed and start to question, “Can chronic sinusitis be cured?” Yes, there is a way to find permanent relief. 

Long-term relief: Balloon sinuplasty

In our article, how to get rid of sinus congestion, patients who are looking for lasting relief from their sinus issues typically turn to chronic sinusitis surgery. At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we offer a less invasive and more successful sinus procedure called balloon sinuplasty. This 20-minute, in-office procedure is minimally invasive, provides long-lasting sinus pressure relief, and is our best answer to how to treat chronic sinusitis. 

During the procedure, Dr. Kaplan uses a tiny balloon to widen the nasal passageways and restore normal drainage. This will prevent future infections and will help you to breathe better overall. With its low recovery time and high success rate, chronic sinusitis patients find that their symptoms clear up soon after and don’t have sinus issues again. 

Treat chronic sinusitis at Kaplan Sinus Relief today!

Ready to treat your chronic sinusitis? If you’ve been searching for the answer to how to treat chronic sinusitis, balloon sinuplasty is a long-lasting treatment option. Dr. Kaplan from Kaplan Sinus Relief is the top specialist of balloon sinuplasty in Houston. This procedure is safe and effective for treating your chronic sinus infections.

Request an appointment with Dr. Kaplan if you have any other questions regarding symptoms, treatment, or causes of chronic sinusitis, or to learn more about balloon sinuplasty. 

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