When to see an ENT Specialist For Your Sinuses?

Sinusitis is often associated with individuals experiencing nasal discharge, stuffy nose, and post-nasal drip. It is mainly triggered due to bacteria or viral infection. Generally, individuals who suffer from sinuses can be easily cured by consuming nonprescription medicine.

However, there are also exceptions where certain individuals may require proper medical attention for prescribed medication like antibiotics to counter their sinuses. Since the symptoms of sinuses can differ each time, it can be tough to determine if there is a need to book an appointment with a sinus specialist. Feeling concerned about your sinuses? Read on to find out if you need to visit an ENT specialist Singapore.

Who are ENT specialists?

ENT specialists refer to ear, throat, and nose specialists, also known as otolaryngologists. They are doctors who are highly trained to provide medical services to treat conditions relating to ears, nose, and throat. They are qualified doctors who have a background in surgery and medicine. Hence, they usually have a wide range of skills where their jobs can range from being consultants to even surgeons.  Some of the common illnesses that are handled by ENT specialists can include:

• Hearing loss
• Dizziness
• Chronic ear infections
• Sleep apnea
• Tonsillitis
• Neck lump
• Breathing problems
• Sinusitis
• Allergies

Below is a list of common signs you should take note of to determine whether to book an appointment with an ENT specialist.

1. Your symptoms have intensified

In general, sinusitis does not bring about any obstacles in your daily life. This means that you can perform your daily activities as normal. In worst-case scenarios, it can result in a weakened immune system which will only last for a short duration. While the usual sinus infection can be easily handled by an individual or by a GP, it will generally be indicated as a serious issue if one has to constantly take a break from work.

This can be a result of the issue hindering one from carrying out one’s work duties efficiently. Additionally, needing to visit the emergency room due to one’s sinus problems could imply the severity of one’s symptoms.

Below displays some of the more severe symptoms which include:

• Nasal mucus contains traces of blood 
• Severe headaches
• Intermittent fever
• Recurrent sinus attack that happens yearly
• Inability to get cured of Antibiotics
• Eye inflammation

If you are experiencing similar symptoms as mentioned, it is recommended to seek help from an ear and nose throat specialist as soon as possible. 

2. You experience symptoms frequently throughout the year

Sinus problem having the ability to come around multiple times a year is relatively common. However, it can be a problem if the cure for recurrent sinus problems requires frequent prescriptions of antibiotics.

Though antibiotics are considered effective and suitable for consumption, constant consumption can bring about harmful impacts on your body as well. Some problems can include immunity against antibiotics as well as side effects. Immunity against antibiotics essentially means having an antibiotic-resistant immune system, making it tougher to treat future infections. While the side effects of antibiotics differ for the individual, some of them can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. No noticeable improvement with treatment

Antibiotics are the most common medicine prescribed to individuals with sinusitis. This medication helps to subside the impacts of the sinus, making it the most straightforward cure for the majority of people. Though it takes some time for the antibiotics to take effect, it is generally able to get rid of the infection caused by the bacteria within two weeks or even less. However, if the sinus symptoms are persistent, usually lasting for two weeks or more, it is important to visit ENT doctors to get a diagnosis of your condition. This will enable them to understand the severity of your sinus condition so that they can provide a more suitable treatment for you.

4. No signs of symptoms disappearing

Usually, it takes roughly 14 days for sinuses to subside. This means that after 14 days, you should be able to resume all daily activities with ease. However, there can be exceptions where there is the residue of the sinus even after constant intake of prescribed medications. This may indicate a possible occurrence of chronic sinusitis, which can last for a long duration ranging from months to years. Hence, in such cases, it is advisable to make an appointment with ENT consultants so that they can provide you with the next appropriate steps to take.

In general, sinusitis is classified into two categories – acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis is usually more common than chronic sinusitis. Though both the symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are similar, there are differences between them as well.

Difference between acute and chronic sinusitis

	Acute sinusitis	Chronic sinusitis
Duration	Short duration, usually ranging from a few days to a maximum of 4 weeks	Long duration, usually more than 12 weeks
Frequency	May frequently appear throughout the year with symptoms appearing and disappearing	Symptoms usually last for a long period with no sign of disappearance
Treatment	Requires little to no medication or antibiotics for more severe cases	Requires medications and can involve surgery if other methods are ineffective

It is therefore important to seek medical attention if you feel that your sinusitis symptoms worsened as it can evolve into chronic sinusitis, which can bring about more serious health complications. If left untreated, the health complications can be life-threatening and disrupt your daily life. Some chronic sinusitis health complications consist of:

• Vision loss
• Spread of infection to other body parts such as bones or skin
• Meningitis
• Permanent loss of smell

Conclusion

As sinusitis symptoms can gradually change over time, it can be very challenging for patients with sinusitis to know the difference in changes in symptoms. This is mainly due to the subtle difference in symptoms between acute and chronic sinusitis.

Hence, with the general recommendations provided above, you will be able to know when exactly to visit a sinus specialist Singapore. If you are unsure of where to find an ENT specialist in Singapore, you may check out the list of sinus specialists available in Singapore here (https://www.thefunempire.com/ent-specialist-singapore/).