Treatment for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

There are several treatment options available for chronic rhinosinusitis, including nonsurgical and surgical options. Your consultant will recommend the best treatment for you depending on your symptoms, general health, preference, and any treatments you have tried previously. 

Saline irrigation 

Regular saline nasal irrigation is a helpful and effective initial treatment for most patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. It reduces symptoms by improving the flow of mucus and may also help by washing away irritants and allergens in your nose.

Steroids are often added to saline irrigation solutions so that they can be rinsed into the sinus cavities for better distribution, especially after surgery.

Nasal steroids 

Nasal steroid medication is the main treatment for most patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps.

Intranasal corticosteroids work by soothing the lining of your nose and reducing inflammation. This helps to reduce your symptoms and may make breathing through your nose easier, improve your sense of smell and reduce nasal discharge.

Steroids can also reduce the size of nasal polyps if you have them, further improving your symptoms.

A regular maintenance intranasal corticosteroid is often used after surgery to help prevent nasal polyps from coming back.

Antibiotics 

If your chronic rhinosinusitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your consultant may recommend long-term antibiotic treatment. Rather than directly killing the bacteria, antibiotic treatment is thought to work by altering your immune system’s response to the bacteria.

You may also be prescribed short-term antibiotics if you have an acute bacterial infection, which can occur after a cold or dental problems.

Oral corticosteroids 

Oral corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation. They may be prescribed in severe cases of chronic rhinosinusitis, especially if you have nasal polyps, or if other treatments have been ineffective. 

Oral corticosteroids can help reduce the size of your nasal polyps (if you have them), making it easier to breathe through your nose and improving your sense of smell. The effects, however, may not be permanent, and some of your symptoms may come back once your treatment has ended.

Corticosteroids may occasionally be prescribed before sinus surgery to help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of complications. 

Biologic agents 

Biologic agents are a relatively new treatment for severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. They work by targeting specific parts of your immune system to reduce the size of your polyps or slow their growth. This can improve symptoms such as a blocked nose, nasal discharge, and a reduced sense of smell. 

Biologic agents are typically used when standard treatments, such as nasal steroids, have not worked. In some cases, biologic agents may be recommended if you have chronic rhinosinusitis and difficult-to-manage asthma. 

Surgery 

If your chronic rhinosinusitis isn’t improving with the above treatments, your consultant may recommend surgery such as endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). ESS is a minimally invasive technique where blockages in your nasal cavity are removed using a device called an endoscope.

Treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis is generally safe, but as with any medical treatment, there is a small risk that complications or side effects can occur. 

Possible complications and side effects depend on the type of treatment you are having. 

Your consultant will explain all the potential risks or side effects before you start your treatment and answer any questions you may have.

Your ENT consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your rhinosinusitis treatment. 

Tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications you take regularly.

Your consultant will give you instructions to follow during your recovery. These will vary, depending on the type of treatment you had. You may be given a follow-up appointment to check your progress and determine whether any further treatment is necessary. 

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please contact the clinic for advice.

Please contact our Ear, Nose & Throat centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our ENT surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

We accept both self-referrals and referrals from healthcare professionals for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an ENT consultant, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.