Plenty of people push through sinus congestion with over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants and assume it’ll eventually resolve. Sometimes it does. But for people who cycle through the same pressure, drainage problems, and foggy-headed misery every few months, the issue is usually something more than a lingering cold.
At our Brooklyn, New York, office, Steven D. Kushnick, MD, evaluates and treats sinus problems that don’t resolve on their own, from a single stubborn infection to chronic sinus congestion that keeps coming back.
Your sinuses are air-filled cavities behind your forehead, cheeks, and nose. They’re lined with a thin layer of mucus that traps bacteria and debris before they reach your lungs. Under normal circumstances, mucus drains continuously through small openings into your nasal passages.
Congestion develops when the sinus lining swells, and those drainage openings narrow or close. Mucus backs up, pressure builds, and bacteria that would normally get flushed out have somewhere to settle.
Sinus congestion rarely has a single cause, and in people who deal with it often, several factors tend to overlap. Dr. Kushnick evaluates your full history before drawing any conclusions, but the most frequent contributors are:
Most short-term sinus congestion starts with a cold. The virus inflames the nasal lining, which swells and blocks sinus drainage. Viral congestion typically clears within 10 days, though it can leave your sinuses more vulnerable to a secondary bacterial infection.
Allergic reactions trigger the same inflammatory response in your nasal passages as an infection, but without a predictable endpoint.
If you’re allergic to dust mites, mold, or pet dander, your sinuses may stay congested for weeks at a time. Seasonal allergies follow pollen cycles, which is why many people notice flare-ups in the spring and fall months.
When congestion persists beyond 10 days, worsens after initially improving, or comes with facial pain and thick discolored drainage, a bacterial infection has likely developed. Bacterial sinusitis needs antibiotics — saline rinses and decongestants alone won’t clear it.
Some people develop chronic sinus problems because of the anatomy of their nasal passages. A deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps can all restrict airflow and drainage, making congestion more frequent regardless of what triggers it.
Dr. Kushnick examines your nasal passages, reviews your symptom history, and may use nasal endoscopy or imaging before recommending a treatment plan. Most patients start with conservative options, such as:
For patients with structural problems or chronic sinusitis that hasn’t responded to medication, Dr. Kushnick may recommend balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus surgery procedure that widens blocked sinus openings without removing tissue. Most patients notice improved drainage within days of the procedure.
Chronic sinusitis affects about 11% of adults in the United States — and rarely resolves without identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Congestion that persists beyond 10 days, recurs several times a year, or comes with fever, facial swelling, or changes in vision warrants a professional evaluation. Call our Brooklyn, New York, office at 718-250-8520 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kushnick at your convenience.
