Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)

There are many reasons for sinus infections. One very common cause is sinus passages that are too tight to drain properly. This results in a backlog of mucus causing swollen and inflamed sinus lining.

Other possible causes for chronic sinusitis include: nasal polyps, asthma, a deviated nasal septum, tumors, dental infection, regular exposure to pollutants, and immune system disorder.

Viruses and bacteria can cause sinus infections. Allergens may also cause sinus infections, and research shows that those who live in the Midwest and the South¹ experience higher rates of sinusitis. 

Sinusitis symptoms drove 2.7 million Americans to doctor’s offices and 234,000 sufferers of chronic sinusitis to emergency departments in 2018². Economic research reveals the direct impact of chronic sinusitis ranges between $10–13 billion per year in the U.S., and work productivity loss exceeds $20 billion per year³. 

Research shows higher rates of sinusitis in women and people who live in the Midwest¹—and this is why ADVENT has locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota.

Common symptoms of a sinus infection can include headache, facial pressure and pain, stuffy nose (nasal obstruction), postnasal drip, fatigue, bad breath, reduced sense of smell, fever, cough, headache, and possible ear or dental pain. 

Acute sinusitis can come on suddenly and the misery can last for up to one month; luckily, the runny, sneezy, achy, tired slew of symptoms should resolve completely. Subacute sinusitis can endure for up to 12 weeks. If your sinus infection symptoms drag on for longer than 12 weeks, you may have chronic sinusitis.

While some sinus infections may go away on their own, if you let a sinus infection drag on for months without symptom improvement, you could set yourself up for chronic sinusitis.  

Although rare, an untreated sinus infection could lead to serious issues like vision problems⁴ if the infection spreads to your eye sockets, meningitis⁵, or a fungal infection⁶ (particularly in those with compromised immune systems).

Over-the-counter medications, nasal sprays or saline, decongestants, steam, a neti pot, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest are home remedies for sinus infections. However, if you have chronic sinusitis, these band-aid solutions will not fix the root cause and offer long-term relief. You’ll be left to live life hampered by the agony of your sinus infection symptoms.

Anyone can get chronic sinus infections. People with sinus passages that are too tight, nasal polyps, asthma, a deviated nasal septum, allergies, regular exposure to pollutants, or who have an immune system disorder, have a greater risk of chronic sinusitis.  

If you’re prone to getting sinus infections, our best advice is to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor for an exam. At ADVENT, we’ll give you a comprehensive Breathing Triangle evaluation and will work with you to uncover the root cause of your sinus infections. You'll get a customized treatment plan unique to you. Our simple, effective, in-office procedures can help fix sinus issues in less than 30 minutes, with little downtime.

Absolutely. If you can’t breathe well, you can’t sleep well. There’s a reason the decongestant market size is estimated to reach $21.3 billion by 2027. An IndustryARC® report suggests that ingredients in decongestants offer the same amount of sinus congestion relief as a placebo—which means none⁷.

Viruses cause most sinus infection cases. If your symptoms don’t go away in a few weeks, you may have a bacterial sinus infection. In this case, you should visit a medical provider for further testing and possible antibiotics. If sinus infections continually come and go over months or years, they may caused by issues within your Breathing Triangle. In this case you should also see a medical professional who’s singular focus is in this area, like the ENTs at ADVENT.

Chronic sinusitis endures longer than an acute sinus infection, which is temporary and often caused by a cold. In some cases, chronic sinusitis symptoms may go away but come back shortly after they subside, and may drag on for months in this cycle.

The best way to see exactly what is going on with your sinus is with an in-office CT scan. This scan only takes 22 seconds and creates a ‘blueprint’ of your sinuses, allowing you and your provider to discuss possible treatment options.

In-office Balloon Sinuplasty will open your nasal passages allowing them to drain properly which will calm the lining of the sinuses so you can regain your sinus health.