Need Relief from Sinus Troubles? Understanding Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis

From headaches and sore throat to facial pressure, fatigue and beyond, symptoms of a sinus infection can be disruptive to your daily life. But acute vs chronic sinusitis – which one do you have? And when you need relief from sinus troubles, what are the best treatment options for each condition?

At Raleigh Medical Group, we specialize in helping those with both acute and chronic sinusitis, providing the sinus relief you need to get your life back on track. But more than mere treatment, we want to be a partner in your health care and help you live the healthiest life possible. Just contact us for an appointment.

We’ll explore how acute vs chronic sinusitis symptoms differ, how long each condition typically lasts, and the best ways to treat acute vs chronic sinusitis. 

Acute vs Chronic Sinusitis: How Long Does Each Condition Last?

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses. When the sinus passageways become blocked due to allergens or inflammation, it creates symptoms like:

• Congestion
• Facial pain
• Mucus buildup  

The main difference between acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis is the duration of the condition. Chronic sinusitis can last 12 weeks or longer, even with treatment, and may occur more than four times a year. Acute sinusitis usually clears up within a week to 10 days, though in some cases it may last for up to four weeks. 

Acute sinusitis is usually caused by the common cold, which is a viral infection, though in some cases it may be caused by a bacterial infection. 

Chronic sinusitis can be caused by:

• Severe allergies
• Nasal tumors
• Respiratory tract infections
• Structural issues with the sinuses

Is There a Difference in Symptoms Between Acute and Chronic Sinusitis?

The symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are typically the same, except for how long they last, as mentioned above. 

Symptoms of both conditions may include:

• Yellow or green mucus from a runny nose
• Postnasal drainage, or mucus in the back of the throat 
• Congestion that makes it hard to breathe through the nose
• Pain, tenderness or swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
• Decreased sense of smell and taste
• Sore throat or cough
• Fatigue

Other sinus infection symptoms may include:

• Facial pain that gets worse when bending over
• Headaches
• Toothaches
• Pressure in the ears
• Fever, in some cases

What Are the Best Treatment Options for Acute vs Chronic Sinusitis?

Treatment options for acute and chronic sinusitis share some similarities, though acute sinusitis may clear up on its own, so treatment focuses mainly on relieving symptoms. 

Chronic sinusitis may require a more targeted and extended treatment approach to manage symptoms and treat underlying causes like allergies, nasal polyps, or structural issues in the nasal passages, such as a deviated septum.

Acute Sinusitis Treatment 

Most cases of acute sinusitis get better without treatment. To relieve discomfort from acute sinusitis symptoms, you can try:

• Allergy medicines for sinusitis caused by allergies
• Decongestants, available both over the counter and by prescription
• Nasal corticosteroids, or nasal sprays, which can help prevent and treat swelling
• Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen 
• Saline (salt water) nasal spray to rinse the inside of the nose

Lifestyle remedies that may help include:

• Rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Placing a warm compress on the nose and forehead to help relieve sinus pressure
• Keeping sinuses moist by breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head or by taking a hot shower

Antibiotics aren’t effective for treating viruses, which are the most common cause of acute sinusitis. While bacteria can sometimes cause acute sinusitis, it may still clear up on its own. We can help determine if your sinusitis is viral or bacterial and discuss treatment options with you.  

Chronic Sinusitis Treatment

Treatment options for chronic sinusitis may include:

• Allergy medicines for sinusitis caused by allergies
• Corticosteroid shots or pills for severe sinusitis symptoms
• Nasal corticosteroids to help prevent and treat swelling
• Saline nasal sprays and rinses

Other treatment approaches to chronic sinusitis:

• For those with nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis, medications may be used to shrink the size of the nasal polyps and relieve stuffiness. 
• If sinusitis is caused by bacteria, we may recommend an antibiotic. 
• If your sinusitis is caused by allergies, your doctor may recommend allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy.

Similarly to acute sinusitis, lifestyle remedies that may help ease symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

• Rest
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Using a warm compress on the nose and forehead
• Keeping your sinuses moist

When is Advanced Treatment Considered for Chronic Sinusitis?

If your chronic sinusitis doesn’t get better with any of the approaches above, or you have severe nasal polyps, structural abnormalities that inhibit sinus drainage, or ongoing breathing difficulties, a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic sinus surgery may be necessary. 

This involves using a thin, flexible tube with a light attached to locate and remove tissue causing the problem. The result is improved sinus drainage and ventilation, which can reduce sinus infections and help you breathe more easily.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms that might indicate a serious infection, such as:

• Confusion
• Double vision or other vision problems
• Forehead swelling
• High fever
• Pain, swelling or redness around the eyes
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck

Are Sinus Problems Disrupting Your Life? Raleigh Medical Group Provides Relief

Acute sinusitis will usually go away on its own with at-home remedies such as saline solutions, over-the-counter medications, and plenty of fluids and rest.

 If you’re experiencing chronic sinusitis, however, you should schedule an appointment with us to help you find relief. Remember that chronic sinusitis may be caused by more serious issues like:

• Severe allergies
• Nasal tumors
• Respiratory tract infections
• Structural problems with your sinuses

Schedule an appointment with us today and let our internal medicine physicians in Raleigh find the right treatment plan for you.