To help alleviate the symptoms, a primary care physician will typically recommend prescription or over-the-counter medications, as well as home remedies, including:
- Decongestants to reduce swelling of the lining of the sinus
- Nasal and systemic steroids to reduce chronic inflammation
- Mucolytics to help reduce thickened nasal secretions
- Irrigation to clean out sinuses
The medication cycle
If you suffer from recurrent or chronic sinusitis, you may require multiple rounds of medication annually to reduce the impact of symptoms.
In addition, the use of a neti pot or a decongestant can become part of an elaborate set of routines to manage your symptoms. Perhaps you even avoid activities that seem to trigger symptoms, such as spending too much time outside during the spring or fall.
Needless to say, the struggle to minimize sinusitis symptoms can negatively impact your quality of life. If the medication routine isn’t working, balloon sinus dilation may be the best option for you. This minimally invasive, office-based procedure is designed to reshape your sinus anatomy and restore drainage.
Break the Cycle
In the past, recurrent sinusitis sufferers were largely restricted to medical management to treat their individual outbreaks. Now, there's a proven alternative: balloon sinus dilation. This quick, in-office procedure opens up the pathways and restores drainage, not only addressing the symptoms, but changing the anatomy that can contribute to repeat outbreaks.
Balloon sinus dilationPatient Perspective: Quality of Life
Are your sinus headaches hard to manage? Learn how Vernon regained his quality of life.