If you suffer with sinus problems, chances are good you’ve struggled to find accurate answers to your questions about the cause of your sinus symptoms and which sinus treatment options work – or don’t.

To help you get the answers you need, our team of compassionate, skilled medical experts here at Houston Advanced Nose & Sinus has put together this list of the most common myths about sinuses:

1) Aren’t sinus symptoms always caused by a sinus infection?

One of the most common myths about sinuses is that any type of irritation, inflammation and/or nasal discharge must be caused by a sinus infection, and that’s simply not the case.

Inflammation and sinus symptoms that persist for weeks or even months are often diagnosed as chronic sinusitis and can be caused by several things.

2) Isn’t it true that most sinus problems are really allergy symptoms?

While sinus congestion, a stuffy nose and nasal discharge are all classic signs of seasonal allergies, the fact is that these same sinus symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well.

The only way to get an accurate diagnosis of your ongoing sinus issues is to book a consultation with a Rhinologist – a highly trained medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating complex problems related to the sinus, nasal passages and the base of the skull.

3) Can you get ‘hooked’ on over-the-counter nasal spray?

Like all over-the-counter medications and treatments, overuse of nasal spray to deal with sinus symptoms can lead to dependency and an increase in the exact same symptoms these products are designed to treat.

In fact, the problem of people self-medicating their sinus problems with nasal spray, nasal rinse and home remedies is so common, it has an official name – rhinitis medicamentosa – better known as ‘rebound nasal congestion’.

4) Does sinus surgery actually work?

While it’s true that sinus surgery isn’t the right solution for all patients who suffer from uncomfortable sinus symptoms, when the right surgery is performed by a highly skilled surgeon on a suitable patient, sinus surgery is a highly effective treatment for many people.

And speaking about sinus surgery myths, many people believe that sinus surgery is a ‘one procedure fits all’ situation, which is not the case. There are a wide variety of surgical treatment options for sinus problems available today, most of which use cutting-edge, minimally-invasive techniques that improve outcomes and reduce patient discomfort when compared to previous surgical methods.

5) Wont my sinus blockages go away naturally?

Unless the blockage is caused by inflammation from an allergen or other irritant, any type of blockage in the sinuses should be taken very seriously. The most common type of blockage are nasal polyps, and left untreated, these can make it difficult to breath, interfere with sleep, and lead to serious infections. Malignant (cancerous) tumors can also form in the sinuses, which is why seeing a certified Rhinologist is so important for anyone suffering from chronic sinus issues.

Dispel all Your Sinus Myths

Contact Dr. Kuperan in Houston to learn more about the truth behind sinuses. As a board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT) — and one of a select few fellowship certified rhinologists in Texas — be assured he has the answers to all your questions.