Sinusitis Patient Education

Doctors Who Treat Sinusitis

As your sinusitis is diagnosed, treated, and managed, you may encounter the following team of doctors and specialists listed in this sinusitis patient education guide.

• Internist or Family Physician ⎯ These doctors provide general medical care for adults. Adults with sinusitis are typically diagnosed and treated by an internist or family physician.
• Pediatrician ⎯ These doctors specialize in the medical care of children. Children with sinus problems are typically diagnosed and treated by a pediatrician.
• Allergist/Immunologist ⎯ Commonly referred to as allergists, these doctors are specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, asthma, and other immunological disorders. Adults with asthma or allergies may see an allergist for diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis.
• Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist ⎯ This type of doctor is specially trained to diagnose, treat and manage allergies, asthma, and other immunological disorders in children. Children with asthma or allergies may see a pediatric allergist for diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis and other sinus related issues.
• ENT Specialist/Otolaryngologist ⎯ This type of doctor specializes in treating medical conditions of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT), including performing sinus surgery. People with chronic sinusitis may be referred to an ENT specialist, also called an otolaryngologist.

 

How to Prepare for Your Sinusitis Doctor Visit

Having made your appointment with a healthcare provider, there are certain actions you can take to maximize the benefit of your doctor visit, listed in this sinusitis patient education guide:

• Write down a list of your sinus related symptoms.
• If you have chronic sinusitis, write down the times of year and times of day that you experience symptoms.
• Think about any things that seem to trigger your sinusitis to flare up and write them down.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements that you’re taking. Include the dosage you are taking of each.
• Write down key personal information, including prior illnesses, medical conditions, allergies, and regular activities.
• Make a list of questions you have for the doctor so that you don’t forget to ask any of them.

 

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Sinusitis

From your initial diagnosis throughout your treatment and care, you will have questions about your condition. Listed in this sinusitis patient education guide are questions to discuss with your doctor so you can make informed decisions about your care.

Questions About My Diagnosis

• How can you tell what is causing my sinusitis?
• How can you tell whether I have a bacterial infection in my sinuses?
• Are allergies causing my sinusitis?
• Does sinusitis only come after a cold or flu?
• Why do I get sinusitis without having a cold or flu first?

Questions About My Treatment

• Do I need antibiotics for my sinusitis?
• What can I do to make myself more comfortable until the sinusitis goes away?
• Which type of nasal spray should I use?
• Will a humidifier help my sinusitis?
• Will cold medicine help my symptoms?
• Does sinus surgery work for chronic rhinosinusitis?

Questions About My Lifestyle & Family

• Do I need to avoid swimming until my sinusitis clears up?
• Is it OK to fly on an airplane with sinusitis?
• Will treating my allergies help prevent me from getting sinusitis again?
• Is there anything I can do when I have a cold to prevent getting a sinus infection?

 

Common Tests or Labs to Diagnose Sinusitis

Doctors usually diagnose acute sinusitis based on your symptoms and by examining your nose and face. This may include tapping on the sinus areas of the face and looking into the nose with a light for signs of swelling and nasal polyps.

In cases of chronic rhinosinusitis, doctors may order some of the tests described in the table below.

Test	Why Test?	What Happens?	Normal Result
Blood test	To rule out other medical conditions that are associated with sinusitis (such as an immune deficiency disorder or cystic fibrosis)	Blood is drawn with a syringe, typically from the arm.	A normal result would show no sign of medical conditions associated with sinusitis.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan	To view the soft tissue and other structures inside the sinuses	A patient lies on a table that slides inside a large machine that takes pictures of the inside of the head. Dye may be injected into the veins to help make clearer images.	Images of the inside of the sinuses can confirm whether a person has sinusitis.
Endoscopy	To view the sinuses from the inside and/or test the mucus to detect bacterial or fungal infection	A tube-like device with a small light on it is inserted into the nose and up into the sinuses. A sample of mucus may be taken.	Endoscopy will show whether sinus membranes are swollen, as well as the color of the mucus. If a sample is taken and tested, it will show whether there is an infection and, if so, whether it is viral, bacterial, or fungal.

 

Common Medications and Treatments for Sinusitis

Treatment varies based on whether the condition is acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis and whether the doctor thinks there is a bacterial infection involved. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses and will get better without medication in about 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics, which fight bacteria, are not effective against viral infections.

People with sinusitis can also take the following steps to help relieve their symptoms:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Lie on your side and/or prop up your head with a pillow because lying down can make sinuses feel more blocked up.
• Sip hot liquids and drink plenty of fluids.
• Hold a warm, wet towel against your face or breathe in steam through a cloth or towel to relieve sinus pressure and help open the sinus passages.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, which can worsen swelling in the sinuses.

The table in this sinusitis patient education guide describes the common medications used to treat sinusitis, most of which are aimed at relieving symptoms until the sinusitis resolves. It is important to talk with your doctor before using over-the-counter cold medicine, because some cold medicines can worsen symptoms or cause other problems.

 

Drug Category	How it works
Saline nasal sprays	These un-medicated sprays remove thick mucus from nasal passages and help the sinuses to drain.
Decongestant nasal sprays	Some nasal sprays contain a decongestant to shrink the swollen membranes in the nose.Use of nasal drops and sprays containing a decongestant for more than 3-5 days can lead to worsened swelling in the sinuses after you stop taking the medicine.
Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines	These sprays may be prescribed to decrease swelling in the nose, especially if there are nasal polyps or allergies.
Decongestants	These drugs, taken in pill form, make it easier to breathe by shrinking the swollen membranes in the nose.
Pain relievers	Drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can relieve headache and other sinus pain.These drugs can also reduce fever, if present.
Antibiotics	These drugs treat bacterial infection, if present.Antibiotics do not work against viral infections, which are the most common cause of sinusitis.
Oral steroids	These drugs may be prescribed for severe chronic rhinosinusitis if other treatments have not worked.Use of these drugs is limited due to their significant side effects.

 

Surgery may be recommended for chronic rhinosinusitis that has not gotten better with medication. Sinus surgery aims to improve sinus drainage and reduce blockage of the nasal passages. These procedures are typically performed to enlarge the openings of the sinuses, remove nasal polyps, and correct structural problems inside the nose and sinuses.