Is It Possible to Cure My Sinusitis for Good?

If you’ve been dealing with sinusitis, you know how frustrating it can be. The constant congestion, pressure, and headaches make it feel like there’s no escape. Is it possible to cure sinusitis for good?

We have good news: With the right approach, you can dramatically reduce or even eliminate sinusitis symptoms. 

Because sinusitis can have many potential causes, Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, first determines the reason behind your sinusitis and then recommends the right treatment at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing to help you find relief for good.

If you’re suffering from sinusitis, here’s what you need to know.

What causes sinusitis?

Sinusitis happens when your sinuses become inflamed or infected. There are a few types of sinusitis:

• Acute: lasting less than four weeks
• Subacute: lasting four to 12 weeks
• Chronic: lasting longer than 12 weeks
• Recurrent sinus infections that develop more than once per year (often related to allergies)

Allergies, colds, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum could all be to blame. Acute sinusitis can develop from a bad cold that develops into a sinus infection. If it’s not addressed properly and lingers for more than a month, it becomes subacute sinusitis. 

Chronic sinusitis typically requires more than just over-the-counter remedies. This type of sinusitis can develop from structural abnormalities, allergies, or even colds.

How to treat sinusitis for good

While not everyone achieves a complete cure, many of our Houston-area patients find long-term relief through personalized treatments. 

Identify the source of your sinusitis

Start by identifying what triggers your sinusitis. Is it allergies? Structural issues? A lingering infection? Dr. McCutcheon reviews your symptoms, asks you how long you’ve had your symptoms, and may use a diagnostic tool — our in-office sinus-optimized CT scan using the MiniCAT 2020™ — to determine what’s causing your symptoms.

You’ll also complete our questionnaire called the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) to gauge the severity of your symptoms.

Review your medication options

Depending on the cause, Dr. McCutcheon may recommend medications like decongestants, nasal and oral steroids, mucolytics, or antibiotics. 

Acute sinusitis that’s caused by a bacterial infection, for example, may resolve quickly with nasal saline spray and a course of antibiotics. Once this infection clears, your acute sinusitis is gone for good.

If allergies are the culprit, you may not find relief until you start managing your allergies. Dr. McCutcheon can perform allergy testing to pinpoint your triggers and may recommend medication or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops) to help manage your allergies.

Note: If Dr. McCutcheon prescribes antibiotics, be sure to take the full course even if you start feeling better. Otherwise, you run the risk of your infection flaring up again.

Explore procedures that may help you

In cases of a nasal deformity, a procedure like a balloon sinuplasty or sinus surgery may be the better option for you.

During a balloon sinuplasty, Dr. McCutcheon inserts a medical-grade balloon into your sinuses to open and widen them. Once they’re open, he irrigates them with a saline solution which may contain antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory medication. After your sinuses are cleaned, he removes the balloon. This is a minimally invasive procedure that only requires about two days of downtime.

Surgery requires more downtime than conservative options, but it can provide lasting relief, especially when you’re dealing with a structural abnormality. Dr. McCutcheon may recommend surgery to remove nasal polyps or to correct a deviated septum.

Try lifestyle modifications

You can continue to keep your sinuses healthy with healthy at-home habits. 

Use a humidifier to keep your nasal passages moist, especially in winter, clean your humidifier regularly, and avoid known allergens. You might also use a nonmedicated saline spray to keep your nasal passages clear. To prevent infections, never share saline sprays. 

Want to get rid of sinusitis?

Whether you’re dealing with allergies, nasal polyps, or a similar sinus issue, our team is here to help. To get started with a consultation, call our Houston, Texas, office at 281-822-3777. Reach out to the Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing team and find out which sinusitis treatment is right for you.