Persistent congestion, facial pressure, headaches, and constant drainage can wear you down, disrupt sleep, and make everyday life frustrating. If sinus symptoms keep coming back or never fully clear, chronic sinusitis or recurring sinus infections may be the cause. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our ENTs help you find lasting relief for your sinus infections in Federal Way and Auburn.
Always Congested No Matter What You Try?
Chronic sinusitis and sinus infections both affect the sinus cavities, but they differ in how long symptoms last and how they’re treated. Understanding the difference can help you know when it’s time to seek expert care.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections, also called acute sinusitis, usually develop after a cold, allergy flare, or nasal blockage. The sinuses become filled with fluid, allowing bacteria or viruses to grow. Symptoms may include facial pain, thick nasal drainage, congestion, cough, and pressure that worsens when bending forward. Most sinus infections improve within days to weeks, but repeated or severe infections may require specialized evaluation and treatment from our ENTs.
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the lining of the sinus cavities remains inflamed for 12 weeks or longer. This ongoing inflammation prevents normal mucus drainage, leading to congestion, facial pressure, postnasal drip, and a reduced sense of smell. Symptoms often fluctuate but never fully go away. At Surgical Associates Northwest, our providers focus on identifying the underlying cause and offering long-term solutions, not just temporary symptom relief.
Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis & Sinus Infections
When your sinuses are inflamed or blocked, symptoms can build gradually or appear suddenly.
Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis and sinus infections include:
- Ongoing nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Facial pressure or pain around the eyes and cheeks
- Thick nasal drainage or postnasal drip
- Headaches that worsen with movement or bending forward
- Reduced sense of smell or taste
- Cough, especially at night
- Fatigue or feeling run down
- Ear pressure or fullness
What Causes Chronic Sinusitis & Sinus Infections?
Your sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces lined with tissue that produces mucus to trap germs and keep your nose healthy. When this lining becomes inflamed or swollen, normal drainage is blocked. Mucus builds up inside the sinuses, creating pressure and an environment where bacteria, viruses, or other irritants can thrive.
This inflammation and blockage may be triggered by several factors, including:
- Repeated colds or upper respiratory infections
- Seasonal or year-round allergies
- Nasal polyps or inflamed nasal tissue
- Structural issues such as a deviated septum
- Ongoing exposure to smoke or air pollutants
Your Chronic Sinusitis & Sinus Infections Treatment Experience
Your care for sinus infections in Federal Way and Auburn begins with a thorough, unhurried consultation focused on understanding how your symptoms affect your life. Our providers take time to review your medical history, evaluate prior treatments, and perform a detailed nasal exam, often using in-office nasal endoscopy for clear visualization. This allows our ENTs to identify inflammation, blockage, polyps, or structural issues and create a personalized plan based on the true cause of your symptoms.
Treatment is tailored to you and may include prescription or topical medications, targeted allergy management, or minimally invasive, in-office procedures to restore proper sinus drainage. For ongoing or severe sinusitis, advanced treatment options like balloon sinuplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery may be recommended.
Chronic Sinusitis & Sinus Infections FAQs
How Do I Know if My Sinus Problem Is Chronic or Just a Cold?
If your symptoms last longer than 10 days, keep returning, or persist for 12 weeks or more, you may be dealing with chronic sinusitis rather than a routine cold. Lingering congestion, facial pressure, and thick drainage are common signs that warrant evaluation.
Can Sinus Infections Go Away on Their Own?
Many mild sinus infections improve without antibiotics, especially when caused by viruses. However, if symptoms worsen, persist for more than a week, or keep recurring, you should be evaluated to prevent complications and identify the underlying cause.
Why Do My Sinus Infections Keep Coming Back?
Recurring infections are often linked to allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or chronic inflammation that prevents proper drainage. Treating the root issue is key to long-term relief.
Why Choose Surgical Associates Northwest?
Surgical Associates Northwest is a trusted ENT practice that has been a pillar of the community for over 40 years, caring for generations of families throughout the South Sound. Our providers offer thoughtful, patient-centered care, taking time to listen, explain your options clearly, and create treatment plans that truly fit your life. You’re never rushed, and your concerns are always heard. If you are suffering from ongoing sinus symptoms, schedule a consultation for chronic sinusitis and sinus infections in Auburn or Federal Way, WA, today.
