You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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Sinusitis is infection or inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses.
When a mucous membrane gets inflamed, it swells. This can block the normal flow of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. Bacteria and fungi (plural of fungus) are more likely to grow and cause an infection in sinuses that can't drain.
The main cause of sinusitis is a viral infection, usually a cold. Allergies or other problems also can block the nasal passages and lead to sinusitis.
There are two types of sinusitis: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). You may have chronic sinusitis if:
Surgery may be a good choice for some people who have chronic sinusitis.
Surgery helps the sinuses drain, preventing infections. The doctor usually makes the sinus openings bigger by removing:
There are two types of sinus surgery:
Sometimes another problem inside the nose (such as a deviated septum) also needs to be fixed. This may be done during the same surgery.
After surgery, the doctor may recommend:
Very few people need surgery to treat sinusitis. But you may need surgery if ALL of these are true:
You also may need surgery if:
Sinus surgery can:
Endoscopic surgery improves symptoms for about 90 out of 100 people. About 10 out of 100 people find that it doesn't help them.footnote 1
Surgery has the best chance of working if you use a steroid nasal spray and do home treatment after surgery to prevent future infections. You may need to use these treatments for a long time.
Sinus surgery can lead to minor or serious problems.
Most of the time, you can treat your sinus problem with home care and medicines.
Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Some medicines may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems.
Your doctor might advise you to have surgery if:
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I have had one sinus infection after another for the better part of a year. I've been taking antibiotics and using steroids and decongestant nasal sprays for a month now with no results. My doctor just did a CT scan and found out that one of my sinuses is blocked. He says he can fix it with surgery.
Pete, age 43
I've had a couple of bouts of sinusitis this year, so I asked my doctor about sinus surgery. She said there are some stronger antibiotics and other treatments I should try. I agree that it's better to try the medicines.
Misti, age 32
My doctor fired all the medicines at this infection that she could, and I took them just the way she told me to, but nothing seemed to work. After she looked at my CT scan, my doctor thinks what I've got may be a fungal infection. That would explain why the antibiotics I've tried haven't helped. I hate the idea of having the surgery, but I have tried everything else.
Marona, age 54
I have pretty bad sinusitis, and I've had it a few times over the years. The last time I got it, my doctor prescribed antibiotics and showed me how to wash out my sinuses with salt water, and that worked. I'm going to try that again, and my doctor says there are some other things we can try, too, like nasal sprays and allergy medicines.
Jonathan, age 29
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have sinus surgery
Reasons to use home treatment
I want to do everything I can to stop my sinus infections.
I want to avoid surgery if at all possible.
I'm not afraid of the risks of surgery.
I don't want to take any chance on problems from surgery.
The pain and pressure in my sinuses is making me miserable.
I can control the pain and pressure with medicines.
I'm tired of not breathing well.
I can still breathe well.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Surgery
Home treatment
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Author | Healthwise Staff |
---|---|
Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Sinusitis is infection or inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses.
When a mucous membrane gets inflamed, it swells. This can block the normal flow of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. Bacteria and fungi (plural of fungus) are more likely to grow and cause an infection in sinuses that can't drain.
The main cause of sinusitis is a viral infection, usually a cold. Allergies or other problems also can block the nasal passages and lead to sinusitis.
There are two types of sinusitis: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). You may have chronic sinusitis if:
Surgery may be a good choice for some people who have chronic sinusitis.
Surgery helps the sinuses drain, preventing infections. The doctor usually makes the sinus openings bigger by removing:
There are two types of sinus surgery:
Sometimes another problem inside the nose (such as a deviated septum) also needs to be fixed. This may be done during the same surgery.
After surgery, the doctor may recommend:
Very few people need surgery to treat sinusitis. But you may need surgery if ALL of these are true:
You also may need surgery if:
Sinus surgery can:
Endoscopic surgery improves symptoms for about 90 out of 100 people. About 10 out of 100 people find that it doesn't help them.1
Surgery has the best chance of working if you use a steroid nasal spray and do home treatment after surgery to prevent future infections. You may need to use these treatments for a long time.
Sinus surgery can lead to minor or serious problems.
Most of the time, you can treat your sinus problem with home care and medicines.
Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Some medicines may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems.
Your doctor might advise you to have surgery if:
Have surgery for sinusitis | Use home care for sinusitis | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have had one sinus infection after another for the better part of a year. I've been taking antibiotics and using steroids and decongestant nasal sprays for a month now with no results. My doctor just did a CT scan and found out that one of my sinuses is blocked. He says he can fix it with surgery."
— Pete, age 43
"I've had a couple of bouts of sinusitis this year, so I asked my doctor about sinus surgery. She said there are some stronger antibiotics and other treatments I should try. I agree that it's better to try the medicines."
— Misti, age 32
"My doctor fired all the medicines at this infection that she could, and I took them just the way she told me to, but nothing seemed to work. After she looked at my CT scan, my doctor thinks what I've got may be a fungal infection. That would explain why the antibiotics I've tried haven't helped. I hate the idea of having the surgery, but I have tried everything else."
— Marona, age 54
"I have pretty bad sinusitis, and I've had it a few times over the years. The last time I got it, my doctor prescribed antibiotics and showed me how to wash out my sinuses with salt water, and that worked. I'm going to try that again, and my doctor says there are some other things we can try, too, like nasal sprays and allergy medicines."
— Jonathan, age 29
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have sinus surgery
Reasons to use home treatment
I want to do everything I can to stop my sinus infections.
I want to avoid surgery if at all possible.
I'm not afraid of the risks of surgery.
I don't want to take any chance on problems from surgery.
The pain and pressure in my sinuses is making me miserable.
I can control the pain and pressure with medicines.
I'm tired of not breathing well.
I can still breathe well.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Surgery
Home treatment
1. Do most people need surgery to treat sinusitis?
2. Do you need to try several weeks of medicines and other treatment before you and your doctor decide about surgery?
3. Will you probably still have to take medicines and use nasal sprays after surgery?
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
By | Healthwise Staff |
---|---|
Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Current as of: September 8, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Patrice Burgess MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
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