Sinusitis Specialist in Silver Spring, Maryland
Persistent nasal congestion, facial pressure, headaches, and drainage can disrupt daily life. At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland in Silver Spring, Maryland, our team evaluates and treats sinusitis and recurring sinus symptoms, identifying potential causes to develop a personalized treatment plan.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis, also called rhinosinusitis, occurs when the tissues lining the nasal passages and sinus cavities become inflamed. The sinuses are air-filled spaces located around the nose, cheeks, forehead, and eyes. When inflammation causes these areas to swell, normal mucus drainage can become blocked.
This can lead to symptoms such as congestion, facial pressure, nasal drainage, and discomfort. Sinusitis may be short-term or persistent depending on the underlying cause and duration of symptoms
Acute Sinusitis vs. Chronic Sinusitis
Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis generally lasts less than four weeks.
Many cases begin after a viral upper respiratory infection such as a common cold.
Most acute sinus symptoms are caused by viruses and improve without antibiotics. In some cases, symptoms may suggest a bacterial sinus infection, particularly when they persist without improvement or worsen after initially getting better.
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis occurs when sinus inflammation and symptoms continue for 12 weeks or longer.
Patients with chronic sinusitis may experience ongoing congestion, drainage, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell, or other persistent symptoms.
Allergies,
asthma, nasal polyps, immune-system concerns, and other conditions may contribute to or complicate chronic sinusitis in some patients.
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person and may range from mild to severe. Some patients experience symptoms regularly, while others notice them primarily during an asthma flare or asthma attack.
If breathing symptoms are persistent, worsening, or interfering with your normal activities, an allergy and asthma evaluation can help determine the next steps.
Common symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion or blockage
- Facial pressure or pain
- Pressure around the cheeks, forehead, or eyes
- Headaches
- Thick or discolored nasal drainage
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Chronic cough
- Reduced sense of smell
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
- Pressure that may extend toward the teeth or ears
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinus inflammation can have several possible causes or contributing factors.
Viral Infections
Many episodes of acute sinusitis begin with a viral upper respiratory infection such as a cold.
Structural Concerns
Certain anatomical factors may interfere with normal sinus drainage and contribute to persistent symptoms.
Asthma
Asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis frequently occur together, particularly in patients with underlying allergic inflammation.
Allergies
Allergic inflammation caused by pollen, dust mites, mold, pets, or other allergens can contribute to chronic nasal congestion and sinus symptoms.
Bacterial Infections
A smaller percentage of acute sinus infections are bacterial. Clinical evaluation can help determine whether symptoms are more consistent with viral or bacterial sinusitis.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that can develop inside the nasal passages or sinuses and may contribute to chronic congestion and sinus inflammation.
Immune-System Disorders
Patients who experience frequent or unusually severe sinus infections may sometimes require evaluation for an underlying immune-system problem.
Are Allergies Causing Your Sinus Symptoms?
For some patients, allergic inflammation can contribute to persistent nasal swelling and recurring sinus problems. If your symptoms occur seasonally, after particular environmental exposures, or along with other allergy symptoms, our team may recommend allergy evaluation. Identifying allergic triggers can help determine whether allergy treatment should be part of your sinus-management plan.
Allergies and sinusitis can cause many of the same symptoms.
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drainage
- Sinus pressure
- Cough
- Itchy or watery eyes
How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Sinusitis evaluation begins with a detailed review of your symptoms and medical history. A physical examination of the nose and throat may also be performed.
Depending on your symptoms and history, additional evaluation may be appropriate.
Common questions include:
- How long your symptoms have been present
- Whether they improve and then worsen again
- How often sinus infections occur
- Whether symptoms are seasonal
- Whether you experience allergies or asthma
- Which medications or treatments you have already tried
- Whether antibiotics have been needed frequently
- Whether you have experienced changes in your sense of smell
- Whether symptoms significantly affect sleep or daily activities
Allergy and Immune-System Testing
Patients with chronic or recurrent sinus problems may sometimes benefit from allergy or immune-system evaluation.
Allergy Testing
When
environmental allergies are suspected, testing may help identify specific allergens that contribute to nasal and sinus inflammation. Depending on the patient's history, testing may include skin testing or other appropriate allergy evaluation.
Immune-System Testing
Patients with unusually frequent, severe, or difficult-to-treat sinus infections may sometimes require blood testing to evaluate aspects of immune-system function.
Not every patient with sinusitis needs allergy or immune testing. Our team recommends diagnostic testing based on the individual patient's symptoms and history.
When is Imaging Used for Sinusitis?
Imaging is not routinely necessary for uncomplicated acute sinusitis.
When chronic sinusitis is suspected, however, additional evaluation may be needed to confirm ongoing inflammation and identify contributing factors.
Our team determines whether imaging or referral for additional evaluation is appropriate based on your individual symptoms and clinical findings.
Computed tomography, or CT imaging, may sometimes be used to evaluate the sinus cavities and look for findings such as:
- Persistent sinus inflammation
- Nasal polyps
- Sinus blockage
- Structural abnormalities
- Other causes of chronic symptoms
How is Sinusitis Treated?
Treatment depends on whether your symptoms are acute or chronic and what is contributing to the inflammation. Your individualized treatment plan may include:
Saline Nasal Irrigation
Saline rinses can help remove mucus, allergens, and irritants while helping keep the nasal passages moist.
Intranasal Corticosteroids
Nasal corticosteroid sprays may help reduce inflammation and congestion, particularly in patients with chronic sinusitis or underlying allergies.
Symptom Management
Depending on your condition, additional treatments may be recommended to relieve pain, congestion, or other symptoms.
Allergy Management
If allergies contribute to your sinus symptoms, treatment may include allergen avoidance, medication, or other allergy-management strategies.
Antibiotics When Appropriate
Antibiotics do not treat viral sinusitis. For patients whose symptoms are consistent with bacterial sinusitis, our team determines whether antibiotics or an initial period of observation is appropriate based on the clinical situation.
Management of Contributing Conditions
Asthma, allergies, nasal polyps, immune-system concerns, and other conditions may need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive sinusitis treatment plan.
Recurrent Sinus Infections
Repeated sinus infections may warrant a more detailed evaluation. The goal is to understand why symptoms keep returning rather than simply treating each episode in isolation.
If you frequently experience sinus infections, our team may look for factors such as:
- Uncontrolled environmental allergies
- Chronic nasal inflammation
- Asthma
- Nasal polyps
- Structural problems
- Immune-system concerns
- Incomplete resolution between episodes
Sinusitis and Asthma
Chronic sinusitis and asthma commonly occur together. Inflammation affecting the upper airway can coexist with inflammation involving the lungs and lower airway.
Our allergy and immunology team can evaluate these related concerns as part of an integrated treatment plan.
Patients with both conditions may benefit from a coordinated approach that evaluates:
- Nasal and sinus symptoms
- Environmental allergies
- Asthma symptoms
- Potential triggers
- Respiratory function
- Current medications
When Should You See a Specialist for Sinus Problems?
A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether infection, allergies, chronic inflammation, immune-system concerns, or another factor may be contributing.
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you or your child experiences:
- Sinus symptoms lasting several weeks
- Symptoms continuing for 12 weeks or longer
- Frequent or recurrent sinus infections
- Facial pain or pressure that repeatedly returns
- Persistent nasal congestion
- Chronic postnasal drainage
- Reduced sense of smell
- Chronic cough associated with nasal symptoms
- Sinus symptoms associated with allergies or asthma
- Frequent need for antibiotics
- Symptoms that have not responded to initial treatment
Why Choose Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland for Sinusitis Care?
Experienced Allergy & Immunology Team
Our providers offer specialized care for allergies, asthma, immune-system concerns, and related conditions that may contribute to recurring sinus symptoms.
Evaluation Beyond the Symptoms
We consider allergies, infection patterns, asthma, immune function, and other potential factors when evaluating persistent or recurrent sinusitis.
Personalized Diagnostic Testing
Allergy testing, blood testing, or other evaluation is recommended when clinically appropriate rather than using the same testing approach for every patient.
Care for Children & Adults
Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland provides allergy and immunology care for patients across different ages and stages of life.
Coordinated Treatment
When sinus problems occur alongside allergies, asthma, chronic cough, or immune-system concerns, our team can evaluate these conditions as part of a broader treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about sinusitis and treatments we offer at our office in Silver Spring.
Still have a question?
Call our office and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about treatments, scheduling, or anything else.
What is the difference between sinusitis and a sinus infection?
Sinusitis means inflammation of the nasal and sinus tissues. It may be caused by a viral infection, bacterial infection, allergies, or other inflammatory conditions. Not every case of sinusitis is a bacterial infection.
How long does acute sinusitis last?
Acute sinusitis generally lasts less than four weeks. Many cases associated with viral illnesses improve within approximately 7–10 days.
When is sinusitis considered chronic?
Sinusitis is considered chronic when symptoms and sinus inflammation persist for 12 weeks or longer.
Do I always need antibiotics for a sinus infection?
No. Most acute sinusitis is viral and does not benefit from antibiotics. Even some uncomplicated bacterial cases may initially be managed with observation. Antibiotics are prescribed when the clinical findings indicate they are appropriate.
Can allergies cause sinus problems?
Yes. Environmental allergies can cause inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and may contribute to recurring or chronic sinus symptoms.
How are chronic sinus problems evaluated?
Evaluation may include a medical history, nasal examination, allergy testing, immune-system testing when appropriate, and sometimes CT imaging to document chronic sinus inflammation.
Can sinusitis cause chronic cough?
Yes. Nasal drainage and upper-airway inflammation associated with sinusitis can contribute to coughing in some patients.
Are sinusitis and asthma connected?
They can be. Chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma frequently occur together, and allergies may contribute to both conditions in some patients.
Does Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland treat children with sinus problems?
Yes. Our team provides allergy and immunology care for both children and adults.
Where can I see a sinusitis specialist in Silver Spring?
Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland is located at 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 522, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Get Answers for Persistent Sinus Symptoms
Recurring sinus pressure, congestion, drainage, and headaches can be frustrating, especially when symptoms keep returning. At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland, our team evaluates the underlying factors that may be contributing to acute, chronic, or recurrent sinusitis and creates an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.
Phone: (240) 531-2902
