Name: Sinusitis Treatment in Brooklyn: Causes, Symptoms & When to See an ENT
Creator: Dr. Ruwaa Samarrai
Published: 2025-10-01

Sinus infections are one of the most common reasons Americans visit the doctor each year. Most acute sinus infections resolve on their own or with a short course of treatment. But when infections keep coming back — or when congestion, pressure, and reduced sense of smell never fully go away — it stops being a routine problem and starts being a quality-of-life issue that deserves specialist attention.

At Seaside ENT in Brooklyn and Staten Island, Dr. Ruwaa Samarrai evaluates patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis and provides a clear diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. If you have been cycling through antibiotics without lasting relief, a proper ENT evaluation is the right next step.

Chronic sinusitis is defined as sinus inflammation lasting 12 weeks or longer despite treatment. It is not simply a long cold — it is a distinct condition that often requires a different approach than acute infection.

Acute vs. chronic sinusitis

Short-Term

Acute Sinusitis

Lasts less than 4 weeks. Usually follows a cold or upper respiratory infection. Often resolves with supportive care or a course of antibiotics. Recurring acute sinusitis — 4 or more episodes per year — is an indication for specialist evaluation.

Long-Term

Chronic Sinusitis

Symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more despite treatment. Often driven by structural issues, allergies, or nasal polyps rather than infection alone. Requires thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Nasal Congestion

Persistent stuffiness or difficulty breathing through the nose

Facial Pressure or Pain

Around the cheeks, forehead, eyes, or bridge of the nose

Thick Nasal Discharge

Yellow or green mucus, or discharge draining down the back of the throat

Reduced Sense of Smell

Partial or complete loss of smell, often accompanying nasal inflammation

Postnasal Drip

Mucus draining into the throat causing cough, throat clearing, or sore throat

Fatigue

Chronic sinus inflammation is exhausting — persistent fatigue is a common complaint

What causes chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is rarely caused by a single infection that never resolved. More often, there is an underlying structural or inflammatory condition that prevents the sinuses from draining properly and creates a cycle of recurrent inflammation. Common contributors include:

Deviated nasal septum — a crooked septum can block sinus drainage pathways on one or both sides
Nasal polyps — benign growths that develop in the lining of the sinuses or nasal passages, blocking drainage and airflow
Allergic rhinitis — ongoing allergic inflammation of the nasal lining contributes significantly to chronic sinus disease
Narrow sinus anatomy — some people have naturally narrow drainage pathways that make them more prone to blockage
Asthma — frequently co-exists with chronic sinusitis and can worsen sinus inflammation

How sinusitis is evaluated

A proper evaluation of chronic sinusitis goes beyond what can be seen on a standard physical exam. Dr. Samarrai will take a detailed history of your symptoms, prior treatments, and contributing factors, and perform a thorough examination of the nasal passages. Depending on findings, a CT scan of the sinuses may be recommended — this gives a detailed picture of sinus anatomy, the degree of inflammation, and any structural issues that may be contributing.

Important distinction Antibiotics alone are often not the answer for chronic sinusitis. If you have been prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics for chronic sinus symptoms with incomplete or temporary relief, the underlying issue may be structural or inflammatory rather than infectious. Addressing the root cause — whether that is allergies, nasal polyps, or anatomy — is what produces lasting improvement. An ENT evaluation helps identify what is actually driving the problem.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity. Dr. Samarrai takes a stepwise approach:

Medical management first

Nasal steroid sprays, saline irrigation, allergy treatment, and targeted antibiotics when appropriate. Many patients achieve significant improvement with optimized medical therapy alone.

Allergy evaluation and management

Identifying and addressing allergic triggers is a critical step when allergic rhinitis is contributing to chronic sinus disease.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

When medical therapy has not provided adequate relief, minimally invasive sinus surgery can open blocked drainage pathways, remove polyps, and correct structural issues — restoring normal sinus function. Most patients go home the same day.

Septoplasty if indicated

If a deviated septum is contributing to sinus obstruction, surgical correction can be performed — often at the same time as sinus surgery.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have chronic sinusitis or just frequent colds?

The distinction matters. A cold is a viral illness that typically runs its course in 7–10 days. Chronic sinusitis involves persistent sinus inflammation — congestion, pressure, and reduced smell that lasts 12 weeks or longer, or keeps returning after treatment. If your symptoms never fully resolve between episodes, or if you have had four or more episodes in a year, a specialist evaluation is warranted.

Do I need a CT scan?

Not always, but a CT scan of the sinuses provides information that cannot be obtained from a physical exam alone — including the degree of inflammation, whether polyps are present, and whether anatomy is contributing to the problem. Dr. Samarrai will advise whether imaging is needed based on your history and examination.

Is sinus surgery a big deal?

Modern functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is minimally invasive — performed through the nostrils with no external cuts. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within a week or two. It is not the major undertaking that older sinus surgery once was, and for patients with chronic disease that has not responded to medical treatment, it can provide significant and lasting relief.

Can allergies cause my sinus problems?

Yes — allergic rhinitis is one of the most common contributors to chronic sinusitis. Allergic inflammation swells the nasal lining and impairs sinus drainage, creating the conditions for recurrent infection and chronic inflammation. Treating the underlying allergy is often an essential part of managing chronic sinus disease effectively.

I've had sinus problems for years — is it too late to do something about it?

Not at all. Many patients who have been living with chronic sinusitis for years find significant relief once the underlying cause is properly identified and addressed. It is never too late to have a proper evaluation and explore your options.

Serving Brooklyn & Staten Island

Seaside ENT sees patients at 6818 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220 in Bay Ridge and 1191 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. Dr. Samarrai speaks both Arabic and English. Most major insurance plans are accepted including Medicaid.

General ENT | Brooklyn & Staten Island

Tired of dealing with sinus problems?

Call Seaside ENT to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Samarrai. Most insurance accepted.

Call (917) 992-3873

· Brooklyn & Staten Island