Chronic sinusitis is a persistent inflammation of the sinuses lasting longer than 12 weeks which often requires specialist intervention
Living with a constant blockage is more than an inconvenience. It affects your sleep and your mood and your daily energy. Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside your nose and head (sinuses) remain swollen and inflamed for three months or longer despite treatment.
Unlike a standard sinus infection that goes away with antibiotics this chronic condition interferes with the way mucus drains. This makes your nose stuffy and makes it hard to breathe. The condition can be caused by infection or growths in the sinuses known as nasal polyps or simply swelling of the lining. For many patients in Sydney allergies and environmental factors also play a significant role in perpetuating the inflammation.
Symptoms can be subtle but persistent. They significantly impact your quality of life.
Many patients suffer from fatigue and difficulty concentrating due to restricted breathing. It is not just about a "blocked nose". It is a chronic health issue that affects your daily performance.
Understanding why your sinuses are blocked is the first step to fixing them.
Before considering surgery Dr Crawford explores comprehensive medical management to reduce inflammation.
If allergies are contributing to your sinusitis, allergy treatment is essential. This might include avoiding triggers or taking allergy medications.
Surgery is generally reserved for cases where aggressive medical therapy has failed to provide relief or when there is a physical obstruction that medication cannot fix.
The goal of sinus surgery is to open the pathways of the sinuses. This allows for better drainage and improves airflow. It also allows topical medications like sprays and rinses to reach the sinus lining more effectively.
Surgery is designed to manage the physical symptoms while long-term care addresses the underlying inflammation. It does not "cure" the tendency for inflammation especially in polyp patients. Continued medical management is usually required after surgery to maintain the results.
When surgical intervention is the best path forward we use Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to achieve these goals.
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed entirely through the nostrils. Dr Crawford uses an endoscope which is a thin flexible tube with a light and camera to view the sinus openings. Tiny instruments are used to remove polyps or bone that are blocking the sinus openings.
Septoplasty Combination If you have a deviated septum Dr Crawford may perform a Septoplasty at the same time. This straightens the wall between the nostrils to further improve breathing and surgical access.
We believe in transparency regarding medical costs.
Dr Crawford consults at three convenient locations across Sydney.
While your specialist consultations take place at the clinics listed above, the surgical process involves a separate set of mandatory hospital-based appointments. These take place at the facility where your procedure is scheduled, such as St Vincent’s Private Hospital or St George Private Hospital. These appointments are a critical part of the safety protocol for Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS).
If you have been suffering from sinus issues for months without relief, professional assessment can provide a clear path forward. Dr Julia Crawford consults in Darlinghurst and Kogarah.
Our team can assist with appointment enquiries and help arrange a consultation with Dr Julia Crawford at one of her three Sydney consulting locations:
Dr Julia Crawford consults for head and neck conditions, head and neck cancer, thyroid and salivary gland disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, paediatric ENT and selected general ENT problems.
Her team can assist with arranging an appointment at Darlinghurst, Kogarah or Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, and will help ensure the appropriate information and investigations are available before your consultation.