Sinusitis Treatment in San Francisco, CA

Sinusitis inflammation of the sinus cavities affects millions of Americans every year, making it one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. For some, it comes on suddenly after a cold and clears up within a few weeks. For others, it becomes a chronic, grinding cycle of congestion, pressure, fatigue, and infections that never seem to fully resolve.

Either way, sinusitis is more than just a nuisance, and effective treatment is available.

What Is Sinusitis?

The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones of your face and skull, located behind the forehead, cheeks, nose, and eyes. They are lined with mucous membranes that produce a thin layer of mucus, which normally drains through small openings into the nasal passages and out through the nose or throat.

Sinusitis occurs when those membranes become inflamed typically as a result of infection, allergies, or structural blockages and the sinuses can no longer drain properly. Mucus builds up, pressure increases, and bacteria or fungi can take hold, turning what might have started as a viral cold into a full-blown sinus infection.

Sinusitis is classified by how long it lasts:

• Acute sinusitis — symptoms last up to four weeks, usually triggered by a cold or upper respiratory infection
• Subacute sinusitis — symptoms persist between four and 12 weeks
• Chronic sinusitis — symptoms last 12 weeks or longer, with or without recurring acute flare-ups
• Recurrent acute sinusitis — four or more separate sinus infections within a single year

What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?

Sinusitis symptoms can vary in intensity and in which sinuses are affected, but the most common include:

• Nasal congestion or stuffiness that doesn’t clear with typical cold remedies
• Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
• Facial pressure or pain, especially around the forehead, cheeks, eyes, or nose
• Reduced or absent sense of smell
• Postnasal drip — mucus draining down the back of the throat
• Sore throat or chronic cough, often worse at night
• Fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell
• Headache, often described as a dull pressure behind the eyes or forehead
• Fever (more common with acute bacterial sinusitis)
• Dental pain or pressure in the upper teeth, particularly with maxillary sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis may not always cause dramatic symptoms. Instead, many patients describe a constant low-grade congestion, fatigue, and reduced quality of life that they have simply learned to live with. If that sounds familiar, it may be time to get a proper evaluation.

What Causes Sinusitis?

Sinusitis rarely has a single cause. In most cases, it results from a combination of factors that interfere with normal sinus drainage and allow infection or inflammation to take hold. Common contributors include:

Viral Infections

Most cases of acute sinusitis start with a viral upper respiratory infection, or the common cold. The virus causes the nasal and sinus membranes to swell, blocking drainage and creating conditions where a secondary bacterial infection can develop.

Allergies

Allergic rhinitis causes chronic inflammation of the nasal lining that can block the sinus openings and set the stage for sinusitis. Patients with untreated or poorly controlled allergies are significantly more prone to recurrent and chronic sinus infections.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that develop from the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. They can obstruct airflow and drainage, making chronic sinusitis significantly harder to treat with medications alone.

Deviated Nasal Septum

The septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal passages. When it is significantly off-center — a condition called a deviated septum — it can narrow one or both nasal passages and obstruct sinus drainage, making a person more prone to sinusitis.

Environmental Irritants

Exposure to smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dry air can irritate and inflame the nasal and sinus membranes, impairing normal ciliary function and making it harder for the sinuses to clear themselves. Wyoming’s dry, high-altitude climate can be a contributing factor for some patients.

Immune System Conditions

Patients with conditions that affect the immune system such as HIV, cystic fibrosis, or certain autoimmune diseases are at higher risk of developing chronic or recurrent sinusitis. Their bodies have a harder time fighting off the infections that take advantage of blocked sinuses.

How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed?

A sinusitis evaluation goes well beyond a quick look up the nose. An accurate diagnosis tells us not just that you have sinusitis, but why. That is what drives the right treatment plan for you.

Our team’s approach includes:

• A detailed review of your symptom history: how long symptoms have been present, how often they occur, and what treatments you have tried
• Physical examination of the nasal passages using an endoscope (a thin, lighted telescope) to visualize the sinus openings and check for polyps, structural problems, or signs of infection
• CT imaging of the sinuses when chronic or complex disease is suspected this gives us a precise map of your sinus anatomy and shows exactly where blockages or disease are present
• Allergy testing when allergies are thought to be a contributing factor

How Is Sinusitis Treated?

Treatment depends on the type, severity, and underlying causes of your sinusitis. We offer a full range of options, from conservative medical management to minimally invasive procedures and surgery.

Medical Management

For acute sinusitis and as a first step in chronic sinusitis, medical treatment typically includes nasal saline irrigation to flush the sinuses, nasal corticosteroid sprays to reduce inflammation, antibiotics when a bacterial infection is confirmed or strongly suspected, and treatment of any underlying allergies. Many patients improve significantly with the right medical regimen.

Balloon Sinuplasty

For patients with chronic sinusitis who have not responded adequately to medications, balloon sinuplasty offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. A small balloon catheter is used to gently widen the sinus openings, restoring drainage without cutting or removing tissue. We can perform this procedure in our office under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. It has a strong track record for lasting relief in appropriate candidates.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

When sinusitis is more extensive involving polyps, significant structural disease, or multiple sinus groups we may recommend functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Performed entirely through the nostrils with no external incisions, FESS allows the surgeon to directly remove obstructions and open the sinus passages under endoscopic visualization. It is the most comprehensive option for severe or complicated chronic sinusitis.

Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction

When a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates are contributing to sinus blockage, correcting these anatomical issues — through septoplasty or turbinate reduction — can significantly improve nasal airflow and sinus drainage. These procedures are often performed at the same time as balloon sinuplasty or FESS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sinusitis

How do I know if I have sinusitis or just a bad cold?

Colds and sinusitis can feel very similar in the early stages. The key differences are duration and the character of the symptoms. A cold typically peaks within two to three days and begins to improve within a week to 10 days. Sinusitis symptoms tend to persist beyond 10 days, or they may seem to improve briefly and then worsen again. Facial pressure or pain, particularly when it is localized to one area, and thick discolored nasal discharge are more suggestive of sinusitis than a typical cold.

Is sinusitis contagious?

The viral upper respiratory infection that triggers acute sinusitis can be contagious. However, sinusitis itself — the inflammation of the sinus cavities — is not directly contagious. The bacterial infection that sometimes develops as a complication is also not spread from person to person in the same way a cold virus is.

Can sinusitis cause tooth pain?

Yes, and this surprises many patients. The roots of the upper back teeth sit very close to — and sometimes directly beneath — the floor of the maxillary sinuses, the large sinus cavities in the cheekbones. When those sinuses are inflamed and congested, the resulting pressure can cause significant aching in the upper teeth. This is a good example of why getting an accurate diagnosis matters. Dental pain from sinusitis will not resolve with dental treatment.

Can I treat sinusitis at home?

For mild acute sinusitis, supportive home care — including saline nasal rinses, steam inhalation, staying hydrated, and over-the-counter decongestants — can help manage symptoms while the infection runs its course. However, if symptoms are severe, worsening, or persisting beyond 10 days, you should be evaluated by a physician. Chronic sinusitis almost always requires professional treatment to address the underlying cause.

Will I need surgery for my sinusitis?

Not necessarily. The majority of sinusitis cases are managed successfully with medications. Surgery is considered when chronic sinusitis has not responded to an adequate course of medical treatment, when structural problems like polyps or a deviated septum are identified as contributing causes, or when imaging reveals significant disease that medications cannot address. Our care team will help you understand whether surgery is the right next step for your specific situation.

Treatment for Sinusitis in San Francisco

If you’re suffering from sinus congestion, pressure, and pain, we recommend an evaluation to find out what’s really going on. Contact SH Allergy, Asthma & Immunology today so we can get you on a clear path to feeling better.