Why Do I Keep Getting Sinus Infections?

Did you know that almost 12% of American adults suffer from recurring sinus infections? If your sinus infections just don’t quit, you may have chronic sinusitis, a condition that occurs when your sinuses are inflamed for more than three months.   

At Integrative Primary Care in Houston, board-certified internist Syed Farhat Zaidi, MD, has extensive experience helping patients who struggle with sinus infections. If you keep getting them, you might wonder why. In this blog, Dr. Zaidi explains what causes sinus infections and why you may be getting them over and over.

What are sinus infections?

The hollow spaces in the bones of your face around your eyes, nose, and cheeks are called sinus cavities. They’re lined with mucous membranes, and they produce mucus to keep your nasal passages moist. If you get a cold or experience allergies, your sinuses can become irritated and inflamed. 

This irritation may then trigger your mucous membranes to produce more mucus. And since the sinuses are already inflamed, the excess mucus may get trapped. Not only can this make it difficult to breathe, but it can create the warm, moist environment the infection can thrive in, giving you a sinus infection.

Why do I keep getting sinus infections?

For some people, sinus infections are chronic, which means an infection lasts more than three months or keeps coming back. If you’re one of 29 million American adults who keeps getting sinus infections, here are some of the most common reasons why:

• You get frequent colds that cause bacterial growth and inflammation of the sinuses
• A crooked or deviated septum blocks the drainage of your sinuses
• You have allergies that lead to chronic swelling of your nasal tissues
• You have nasal polyps that block your passages
• You have asthma, which studies have linked to recurring sinus infections
• You are immuno-compromised, which puts you at higher risk for infections 
• You’re exposed to environmental pollutants that inflame your sinuses

The best way to understand why you have recurring sinus infections is to discuss your symptoms and history with the care team at Integrative Primary Care. Dr. Zaidi will evaluate your medical history and conduct an examination to get to the root cause of your sinus infections. 

What are the treatment options for recurring sinus infections?

Once Dr. Zaidi reviews your medical history and symptoms, he’ll work with you to create a customized treatment plan. Depending on your symptoms, he may order additional testing, such as allergy tests, to determine what might be causing the inflammation in your sinuses. 

With the root cause of your sinus infections better understood, Dr. Zaidi may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Nasal irrigation with a saline solution 
• Warm compresses to alleviate pressure
• Education to avoid triggers that may cause the irritation
• Decongestants and antihistamines 

Are you ready to put an end to recurring sinus infections and find relief from troublesome sinus pain? Dr. Zaidi and the team at Integrative Primary Care can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone today.