Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions in America, affecting 146 per 1000 across all age groups of the general population. It is also the fifth most common condition treated with antibiotics in the U.S.

Treating some forms of chronic sinusitis can be a lifelong endeavor. After surgery to open and drain the sinuses, medical management and maintenance of the sinuses are just as important as the surgery itself.

“Often times, patients that have chronic sinusitis will have an operation, and that’s sort of our starting point for care,” says Armon Jadidian, M.D., one of the sinus and skull base surgery specialists at The Ear, Nose, Throat and Plastic Surgery Associates in Winter Park, FL.

“Additional care for chronic sinusitis is often continued for weeks, months, and years after you have your initial sinus operation to help keep the sinuses in a healthy condition.”

Initial Care After Sinus Surgery

The first days and weeks following sinus surgery are a crucial time in order to make an effective recovery. Depending on the type of procedure undergone, a certain number of post-operative visits will be scheduled by one’s ENT surgeon. During these examinations, the nasal passages and sinuses will be cleaned of any remaining blood, crusts, or mucus lingering since the surgery.

“The sinus operation is designed to open all the sinuses so that they’re accessible for us to examine and treat in the office,” says Dr. Jadidian. “This allows us to look inside the sinuses and deliver medications with irrigations.”

The patient will also be given self-care treatments to perform regularly at home such as nasal saline sprays and sinus irrigations. These treatments are vital in cleaning out the debris in the sinuses left behind after surgery and maintaining healthy sinuses.

Long Term Care and Monitoring for Chronic Sinusitis

It is important for patients to understand that chronic sinusitis is a chronic illness that requires constant monitoring and management.

“A lot of times the underlying problem is the patient’s ability to mount an allergic response in their sinuses. This causes the sinus lining to swell, produce thick mucus and sometimes pus,” says Dr. Jadidian.

Sinus surgery can help control the symptoms and discomfort associated with chronic sinusitis, but ultimately the doctor and patient must diligently work together to prevent its recurrence. Three main areas of prevention are normally employed:

• Moisture: Patients should attempt to keep their nasal passages and sinuses as moist as possible, to keep mucus thinner, allow better drainage of the sinuses, and ultimately prevent infection. The use of a humidifier, steam inhalation, nasal douching, drinking substantial amounts of water can be beneficial, as will avoiding substances which can dry out the sinuses such as caffeine, alcohol and tobacco smoke.
• Allergens: Taking care to avoid allergy particles can go a long way in effectively managing chronic sinusitis. Wearing a mask when cleaning or in dusty areas and avoiding contact with pollens at peak seasonal times can pay dividends later on.
• Prevent colds and the flu: Patients should take pains to avoid being exposed to cold or flu viruses, by getting sufficient sleep and rest, keeping their immune system strong, and with annual flu vaccinations.

Consistent medical treatment at the ENT doctor’s office will complement and advance the patient’s efforts in the short, medium, and long term.

“An important part of the disease process to understand is that there’s a lot of care that happens after the surgery,” says Dr. Jadidian. “That’s really the key to curing or becoming healthy from chronic infections, is the aggressive treatment and monitoring after the operation.”