What is Chronic Sinusitis and Rhinitis?
Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting sinus infection and inflammation. A thin membrane (mucosa) lines sinuses cavity. The sinuses get infected and inflamed when they are blocked and filled with fluid. It is called chronic sinusitis when this infection and inflammation persists for more than 12 weeks. The infection and inflammation in the nose usually happen at the same time as sinuses, we call this Rhinosinusitis.
There are several causes for chronic sinusitis. The most common ones are environmental/ seasonal allergy, asthma, bacterial/viral infections, immune system deficiency and deviated septum.
The symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include a stuffy nose, nasal discharge, postnasal drip, cough, headache, pressure around nose, eyes, forehead or ear pain.
The diagnosis of chronic sinusitis is mostly based on the symptoms. A CT or MRI may be used when deviated septum or a growth is suspected. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor may perform an endoscope to see inside of your nose and sinuses in some cases.
Conventional medical treatment for chronic sinusitis includes antibiotics, intranasal corticosteroid spray, antiinflammation drugs(Leukotriene antagonists), and antihistamine for allergy.
The problems with those treatments are significant adverse effects with long term use and they do not always work. For some patients, to prevent chronic sinusitis, they need the treatments for asthma or allergy, again more long-term use of medications. For others, to avoid allergens that triggers sinuses inflammation, they will need to avoid exposure to those allergens, such as grass, flowers, trees, dogs or cats and others. Image how that is going to affect one’s quality of life and prevent one from doing the things one loves. Rinse your nasal passage with saline solution is very helpful, but one may have to do it every day for the rest of one’s life. Would it be nice not have to do all that and go anywhere without worrying about those allergens? Yes, that would be very nice! Could that be done? Yes!
With Chinese Herbal Medicine, in an experienced professional hand, chronic allergy, rhinitis, sinusitis all can be eliminated. The treatment involves using individually designed herbal formula for each patient even though they all have same conditions. Each patient has a unique cause of, and different response to, her or his chronic allergy, sinusitis and rhinitis, each patient also has a special health status pattern. Therefore, the treatment must be right fit for that cause, response and pattern for it to work. Furthermore, one does not have to continue the treatment for long time since the treatment is aim to the root of the problems, not just symptoms. The most people will only need treatment for weeks.
For more information on chronic sinusitis and rhinitis, please contact us.