What are the treatment options for sinusitis?

For acute sinusitis, antibiotics are typically prescribed for bacterial infections. There are also prescription and over-the-counter mucous thinners used to aid mucous drainage. Antihistamines, salt water irrigation of the nasal passages and room humidifiers can also be very helpful in treating acute sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis, when medication fails to provide results, can be treated with surgical procedures to improve drainage. These outpatient procedures are done with the patient under anesthesia and are performed endoscopically through the nose. Instrumentation opens up the nasal passages; we often use microdebriders to trim away some of the tissues. In some cases, chronic sinusitis is caused by underlying allergy problems. With allergy testing and desensitization sinusitis can be successfully treated in many cases.