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Rhinosinusitis: What Type of Treatments Are Available? Sinus surgery is one way to relieve obstructions in the sinus drainage pathways. Surgery usually gives some immediate relief of symptoms. However, if the underlying causes of chronic rhinosinusitis are not controlled, thickening of sinus tissue often recurs after surgery and the sinus drainage pathways again become obstructed. Medical treatment can also help relieve sinus pathway obstructions. Oral steroids (such as prednisone) are often used to relieve tissue swelling that contributes to sinus blockage. Antibiotics are used to eradicate chronic infection. Once the infection is eradicated, the sinus swelling is reduced but may not completely resolve. Intranasal steroids are used to relieve tissue swelling. They are best used to prevent the sinus passages from becoming obstructed. Intranasal steroids are very useful to prevent the regrowth of nasal polyps after sinus surgery. Decongestants can be used to relieve nasal congestion and sinus fullness. They may also help to reduce runny nose and postnasal drainage. Expectorants and mucolytic agents (such as guaifenecin) are sometime helpful to thin the sinus mucus to promote drainage. Nasal washes are extremely useful to rinse mucus from the nasal cavity and sinuses. Which is better: surgical or medical treatment
of chronic rhinosinusitis?
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