Chronic Sinus Infections
Relief for persistent sinus pressure, congestion, and recurring infections.
If you’re constantly congested, living with sinus pressure, or going through multiple rounds of antibiotics each year, you may be dealing with chronic sinusitis — also known as chronic sinus infections. It’s more than just a lingering cold. When inflammation or blockage keeps your sinuses from draining properly, it can lead to long-term symptoms that affect how you feel every day.
At Head & Neck Surgery of Kansas City, our board-certified ENTs (otolaryngologists) diagnose and treat chronic sinus infections with care and precision. Whether you’re experiencing non-stop congestion or repeated infections that just won’t clear, we’ll help you find the root cause and the right treatment plan for you.
If sinus issues are interfering with your daily life, schedule an appointment today to explore options for lasting relief.
Common Symptoms
Chronic sinus infections are defined as sinus symptoms that last 12 weeks or longer, even with treatment. Common symptoms include:
- Facial pain or pressure, especially around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead
- Nasal congestion or blockage that doesn’t go away
- Post-nasal drip or thick nasal discharge
- Reduced or lost sense of smell or taste
- Headaches or sinus-related fatigue
- Cough, often worse at night
- Recurring sinus infections that don’t fully clear
How We Diagnose
Chronic sinusitis can have a range of causes — from allergies to structural issues. To get a full picture, we may use:
- Nasal endoscopy to directly visualize swelling, polyps, or signs of infection
- CT scan to assess sinus drainage pathways and structural blockages
- Discussion of symptoms, history of sinus infections, and treatment response
Our goal is to understand what’s keeping your sinuses from healing, so we can treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
Treatment Options
Depending on the cause and severity of your condition, we may recommend:
- Nasal steroid sprays or antihistamines to reduce inflammation
- Saline rinses to flush out irritants and support sinus drainage
- Oral antibiotics for bacterial infections that won’t resolve on their own
- Allergy treatment if underlying allergies are contributing to inflammation
- Balloon sinus dilation to gently open blocked sinus pathways and improve airflow
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for more complex or persistent cases
- Polyp removal if nasal polyps are blocking sinus drainage
We’ll tailor your treatment plan to your needs — with the goal of lasting relief and fewer infections over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acute sinus infections come on suddenly and usually clear up within 10–14 days. Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or longer and often returns despite treatment.
Yes — allergic inflammation can block sinus drainage and create an environment where infections are more likely to occur.
Not necessarily. Many patients improve with medication and allergy care alone. Surgery is usually reserved for those who don’t respond to other treatments.
Absolutely. Constant congestion, pain, and fatigue can impact sleep, focus, and mood. Treating the root cause often leads to major improvements in daily life.
With the right treatment, many people experience long-term relief — even from symptoms they’ve lived with for years.
Let’s Clear Things Up
If you’re tired of dealing with persistent congestion, sinus pain, and infections that keep coming back, our board-certified ENT team at Head & Neck Surgery of Kansas City is here to help. Schedule an appointment today.