It must be tough having so many of these infections. Sinus infections are most often due to a viral infection.
Keeping good general health like with sufficient rest, exercise and clean diet; proper washing of hands, not touching your nose and mouth, avoiding places where many are sick would be important.
Some supplements like Vitamin C, Echinacea seem to be helpful at the very start of the infection episodes. When it becomes a bacteria infection however, your doctor may have to add antibiotics to the usual medications to reduce congestion and nasal discharge.
If the infections are so recurrent, you may have to do a simple blood test to see if your body is lacking in any disease fighting elements.
You should also be seen by an ENT doctor (Ear Nose Throat) who will perform a flexible nasoendoscopy in the clinic to exclude crooked nose bone internally, polyps, tumors, sinus air cells anomalies or large turbinate tissues - all these may predispose you to recurrent sinus infections.
The nasoendoscopy is simple, and can be done with you awake in less than 5 minutes. It is not uncomfortable, and you can continue with your day normally after that.
In certain cases, I may need do an allergy test in clinic to see if you may be having sensitivity to common inhalants like dust mites, mold or pollen or food sensitivities.
Once you know what you are allergic too, controlling for those allergens may reduce your sinusitis episodes too. If you are looking to do an allergy test, do avoid cold/ allergy/ cough medications, Vitamin C or TCM medications for 5 days before the consult so that we can get an accurate test for you.
Kind regards,
Dr Lynne Lim
