Chronic Sinusitis and Sinus Symptoms
Chronic Sinusitis and Sinus Symptoms Services
At Spokane ENT, we provide comprehensive evaluation and management of chronic sinusitis and sinus symptoms, including facial pressure, nasal congestion, thick nasal drainage, reduced sense of smell, and fatigue. Sinus symptoms can significantly impact quality of life when they persist for weeks or recur frequently. Chronic sinusitis is defined as inflammation of the sinuses lasting 12 weeks or longer and may be caused by infection, allergies, nasal polyps, structural abnormalities, or other factors. Our team performs thorough evaluation to identify the cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate treatment, whether medical management or referral for sinus surgery when indicated.
We utilize advanced diagnostic techniques to evaluate sinus symptoms, including detailed history taking to understand the pattern and severity of your condition. Our evaluation includes comprehensive nasal examination using nasal endoscopy to visualize the nasal cavity, sinus openings (ostiomeatal complex), and any signs of inflammation, polyps, or structural obstruction. When indicated, we may order CT imaging of the sinuses to assess the extent of disease and identify anatomical factors contributing to symptoms. We also evaluate for contributing conditions such as allergies or immune dysfunction. This thorough assessment helps determine whether medical treatment alone is likely to help or whether sinus surgery may be beneficial.
Our treatment approach begins with appropriate medical management, which may include nasal saline rinses, nasal corticosteroid sprays, antibiotics when bacterial infection is present, and treatment of contributing factors such as allergies. Many patients improve significantly with medical management. When symptoms persist despite adequate medical treatment, or when imaging shows significant sinus disease or structural obstruction, we coordinate with our rhinologists who perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Our goal is to relieve your symptoms, restore sinus health, and help you return to normal activities. For more information about sinus surgery, see our Chronic Sinusitis and Sinus Surgery (FESS) page.
Chronic Sinusitis and Sinus Symptoms Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses lasting 12 weeks or longer. Symptoms include facial pressure, nasal congestion, thick nasal drainage, reduced sense of smell, and fatigue. It can be caused by infection, allergies, nasal polyps, or structural issues.
See an ENT if you have sinus symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks, recurrent sinus infections, symptoms that don't improve with medical treatment, or loss of smell. We evaluate and recommend medical or surgical options.
Evaluation includes a detailed history, nasal examination with endoscopy to view the nasal cavity and sinus openings, and sometimes CT imaging. This helps identify the cause and guide treatment.
Sinus surgery (FESS) may be considered when medical treatment fails to improve symptoms, there is significant sinus disease on imaging, or structural problems block sinus drainage. Our rhinologists perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery when indicated.
Medical treatment may include nasal saline rinses, nasal corticosteroid sprays, antibiotics for bacterial infection, and treatment of contributing factors such as allergies. Many patients improve with medical management alone.