Dr Chin’s Overview on How ENT Doctors Treat Chronic Sinusitis: Key Insights
Discover how ENT doctors treat chronic sinusitis and why home remedies alone won’t break the inflammation. Learn more on our blog!
Chronic sinusitis is more than just a lingering cold. It’s a long-term condition that can severely impact your breathing, sleep, and overall quality of life. ENT specialists use a range of targeted tools—far beyond home remedies—to diagnose and treat the root causes of persistent sinus inflammation.
Understanding Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as sinus inflammation lasting longer than 12 weeks, often accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, nasal drainage, facial pressure, and a reduced sense of smell. It differs from acute sinusitis, which is usually caused by bacterial infections and resolves within a few weeks.
Underlying factors such as nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or allergens may contribute to blocked sinus passages, making it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly. When this happens, mucus builds up, leading to chronic infection, pressure, and inflammation.
Diagnosing the Cause: Beyond the Surface
An ENT specialist (also called an otolaryngologist) begins by taking your medical history, reviewing sinusitis symptoms, and performing a physical exam. In many cases, a CT scan of your sinuses is used to view the sinus cavities and check for structural issues such as a nasal obstruction, thickened tissue, or hidden fungal infections.
A flexible endoscope may also be inserted into the nasal passages to look for polyps, swelling, or abnormal drainage. This in-depth view helps determine the best treatment options tailored to the cause of your chronic sinusitis.
Medical Treatments ENT Doctors Rely On
While nasal irrigation and salt water rinses can help manage mild congestion, more advanced medical therapy is usually needed to resolve chronic inflammation.
Common approaches include:
- Topical or oral steroids to reduce swelling
- Antibiotics for ongoing or recurring bacterial infections
- Antihistamines or allergy shots to control allergens
- Immunotherapy in severe allergy-related cases
These treatments can help restore drainage and relieve sinus pressure, but when medications fail, surgical intervention may be required.
When Surgery Becomes Necessary
For patients with recurrent acute sinusitis, nasal polyps, or severe blockage, ENT doctors may recommend sinus surgery. One option is endoscopic sinus surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a tiny camera and surgical tools to clear obstructions and enlarge the sinus openings.
Another popular option is balloon sinuplasty, which involves inserting a flexible balloon catheter into the sinus and gently inflating it to widen the drainage pathways. This technique offers shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgery and is ideal for patients with mild to moderate blockage.
Next Steps for Long-Term Relief
If you’ve been battling chronic sinusitis with limited success from over-the-counter solutions, it’s time to consult a throat specialist or ENT expert. Proper diagnosis and advanced treatments can break the vicious cycle of inflammation, helping you breathe easier and feel better for the long haul.
- About the Author
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Dr Ronald Chin is an Australian trained Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon.
After graduating as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Dr Chin undertook further specialised training in Head and Neck Cancer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
He has published many research papers and is an active teacher and scholar.
As part of his subspecialty training, Dr Chin has training in Laser, Da Vinci Robotic, Flex Robotic and complex surgical techniques.
In addition to specialised Head and Neck Cancer, Dr Chin also enjoys general adult and paediatric ENT Surgery and practices sinus, snoring/sleep and general paediatric ENT Surgical procedures.
Dr Ronald Chin works as a general Otolaryngologist, offering a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments including ear surgery, nose surgery and throat surgery. He provides treatment for chronic conditions such as tonsillitis, sinus problems and problems with hearing.
He is also involved in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions such as facial paralysis, head and neck cancer and sleep apnea. As well as performing surgery on children, he also provides specialist care for adults, including the treatment of throat disorders, voice loss and ear problems.
Dr Chin has also served as a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, a Conjoint Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
