“Sinus or allergy problem?”
I had two sinus surgeries. One for my deviated septum and the other for more clean up. I was scheduled for a third surgery and then COVID hit. My doctor retired. My new ENT said I did not need another surgery based on a new CT scan. However, my CT scan from my old doctor showed more abnormal cells. I cough all day and night (white thick mucus) and I have sinus headaches. No fever. I do get allergy shots. Should I get a second opinion?
Female | 62 years old
Complaint duration: 5 months
Conditions: Chronic sinusitis
3 Answers
Ear-NoseandThroatDoctor(ENT)Ear-NoseandThroatDoctor(ENT)
Septum surgery has nothing to do with your sinuses. Most likely you do not need further surgery. Sinus x-rays, including CT's, change over time. A simple cold almost always makes the sinus CT markedly abnormal, but only for about 6 weeks. That would be VIRAL sinusitis, for which there is no effective treatment, and which resolves with no treatment. "Sinus headache" is mostly an invention of television, designed to sell "decongestant" pills, which never underwent clinical trials and in truth do not decongest anything! Most patients with the worst sinus disease possible seldom complain of headache. Pressure yes, but not headache. 95% of all headaches are tension headaches, caused by tension, and the best treatment I know of for that is exercise, even a simple walk 2-3 times a week. You should seek medical advice for a chronic cough, although an answer is not always forthcoming. The most common cause is a viral URI, which can trigger a cough that very slowly improves for as much as 3 months, Some blood pressure medicines have cough as a side effect.
Sounds like you need more aggressive medical management, i.e. Allergy consult, desensitization, steroid nasal sprays, saline irrigations, HEA filters, maybe occasional prednisone therapy.
Hello,
It is difficult to say as allergies may be a component and multiple surgeries aren't necessarily an answer. Agree with another opinion, as may be helpful.
Dr. D
It is difficult to say as allergies may be a component and multiple surgeries aren't necessarily an answer. Agree with another opinion, as may be helpful.
Dr. D
