Persons with chronic sinusitis may also develop problems with recurrent bronchitis. Sinuses have mucus drainage pathways that can become acutely or chronically obstructed. Once these pathways are blocked, bacterial or viral infection can develop quickly. Other underlying causes for sinusitis include trauma, congenital abnormalities of the anatomy, and immune suppression. A specialist in allergic diseases may be able to determine by certain tests whether your sinusitis is aggravated by allergy to something in the environment.
Various medicines can help relieve an isolated bout of sinusitis.
These include antibiotics, nasal steroids, and antihistamine decongestants. Unfortunately, chronic recurring sinusitis is more resistant to such treatment, especially in urban environments. Patients who have chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can sometimes benefit from surgical modification of the sinus anatomy to allow better drainage of the sinuses through the nose. Sinus chambers can be interconnected, enlarged, or stripped of any thickened lining material to improve breathing, reduce postnasal discharge, and relieve pain. This technique avoids the facial incisions or numbness that typically results with more conventional forms of sinus surgery.