Recurrent Acute Sinusitis
Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Denver
Experiencing recurrent acute sinusitis? Learn more about its symptoms, what causes it, and how you can get acute sinusitis treatment from trusted sinus experts in Denver.
Recurrent Acute Sinusitis
If you’ve found yourself visiting a doctor multiple times a year for cold-like symptoms, it might be more than the flu. Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) is the condition of relapsing episodes of short sinus infections. If you’ve had more than three acute sinus infections in a calendar year, RARS is a real possibility. The good news — there are treatment options, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgical interventions, and our doctors at Advanced ENT & Allergy in Denver have successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from recurrent acute sinusitis problems.
What is Recurrent Acute Sinusitis & How Can I Get Rid of It?
Typical acute sinusitis is a short-term inflammation of the sinuses that often includes a sinus infection. Acute sinusitis is most often caused by colds, or sometimes bacterial infections. It usually lasts for about 10 days, but can stick around for up to a month. For most people, little or no treatment is needed to get better.
Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis is diagnosed when you have four or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year, without symptoms in between. This is different from chronic sinusitis because chronic sinusitis symptoms don’t go away for long periods of time. With recurrent sinusitis, you’ll have symptom-free periods in between multiple battles with sinus infections.
Signs of Recurrent Acute Sinusitis
Recurrent acute sinusitis is marked by multiple episodes (four or more) of sinusitis per year, each lasting for around 3-4 weeks. Symptoms include:
- Sinus pressure
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Severe congestion
- Need for antibiotic treatment
- Decreased smell and taste
- Discolored nasal drainage
What Causes Recurrent Acute Sinusitis?
There are several different issues that can cause recurrent acute sinusitis. These include:
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is swelling of the inner lining of the nose, due to allergies. This swelling blocks sinus openings and can lead to bacterial sinusitis.
Deviated Septum
A crooked septum (due to injury or genetics) can block your sinus openings, causing sinusitis to reoccur.
Narrowed Sinus Openings
If you have naturally small sinus openings, you’re more susceptible to sinus drainage issues and therefore recurrent acute rhinosinusitis.
Is Recurrent Acute Sinusitis Serious?
Recurrent acute sinusitis is rarely life-threatening, but affects your everyday life. Whether it’s missing work, dealing with uncomfortable symptoms, or paying multiple medical bills, RARS can be incredibly disruptive and it won’t go away on its own. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs may provide short-term relief, but they can’t treat the underlying issues.
Recurrent sinusitis can also eventually lead to chronic sinusitis, which is much worse and more difficult to treat. That’s why it’s important for patients to discover the underlying causes of their recurrent acute sinusitis issues. If you’ve experienced more than three sinus infections in a year, you should consider seeking medical treatment. With the help of an ENT & allergy specialist, you can get insight, treatment, and permanent relief from your recurrent acute rhinosinusitis.
– What Our Patients Say –
“Advanced ENT has exceeded my expectations in every aspect, from the very first appointment through the final. ” – Holly D.
Recurrent Acute Sinusitis Treatment Options
In order to treat recurrent acute sinusitis, we first need to understand the underlying cause of your sinusitis. At the Advanced ENT & Allergy Center, our specialists are able to do a full examination of your nasal passages to see if a deviated septum or narrow sinus openings are the cause. We can also determine if allergies are the culprit and use accurate testing to find out what these specific allergies are. Based on these results, we’ll decide on a treatment plan that’s right for you.
If your RARS is due to allergic rhinitis, treatment may include:
Lifestyle changes
If you’re suffering from allergic rhinitis, some simple changes to your everyday life can help reduce exposure to allergens and alleviate symptoms.
Medications
Over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications can block allergic responses and help reduce allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.
Immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy, or allergy drops, helps your body grow more tolerant to particular allergens, reducing your body’s allergic response over time.
If your RARS is due to structural issues inside the nose, treatment may include:
Balloon sinuplasty
A non-invasive procedure which involves inserting a tiny balloon into the sinus passages to enlarge blocked sinus ducts.
Endoscopic sinus surgery
An minimally-invasive sinus surgery that enlarges the sinus openings to improve drainage from the sinuses into the nose.
Treatment and Diagnosis for Recurrent Acute Sinusitis in Denver
At the Advanced ENT & Allergy Center, our staff are ENT doctors, as well as trained allergy specialists. For over two decades, we’ve been offering successful long-term solutions for sinus problems — whether you’re suffering from allergies or internal nasal issues. We’ll help you find out what’s causing your recurrent acute sinusitis and treat the problem at its source.