NE Valley Times

• Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergies.
• If sinusitis lasts for more than three months, it is considered to be chronic sinusitis.
• Early intervention is highly recommended to address chronic sinusitis to reduce the risk of more serious issues. 

Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are common medical conditions that can become more serious the longer they go untreated. Dr. Franklyn Gergits of the Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center of North Scottsdale said sinusitis can be damaging to your quality of life. 

"If quality of life is not optimized, then it's our job as physicians and providers to try to help patients navigate through those challenges and help them seek relief," Dr. Gergits told the NE Valley Times. "Since sinusitis can cause so many different ailments—like facial pain, facial pressure, nasal congestion, and drainage—if we can resolve those problems, we're not surprised when quality of life increases. But patients are often surprised that their quality of life gets that much better because their breathing pathway and the chronic sinus infections are now a thing of the past."

Symptoms of sinusitis include yellow or green drainage from the nose, pressure and pain in the face, a stuffy nose, bad breath, coughing up mucus, especially at night, and sometimes fever and chills, according to Merck Manual.

Sinusitis can advance to chronic sinusitis, a condition where the sinuses, the spaces inside your nose and head, become inflamed and swollen for three months or more, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition disrupts the normal drainage of mucus, leading to nasal congestion and difficulty breathing through the nose. As a result, individuals may experience a stuffy nose, and the area around their eyes may feel tender and swollen. Other symptoms may include infections, the presence of nasal polyps (abnormal growths in the sinuses), or inflammation of the sinus lining. The condition can affect both adults and children.

Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is also responsible for 4.1 million doctor visits and more than 230,000 emergency room visits.

According to studies, early intervention for chronic sinusitis not only increases immediate quality of life but also typically improves long-term relief and reduces healthcare costs.

Serious complications can result from untreated sinusitis, such as vision loss or infections in the bones and skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is recommended to schedule a doctor's appointment if symptoms last for more than 10 days.

At times, allergies related to sinus disease can lead to headaches, according to Healthline. Although it’s a good idea to discuss taking any medication with your doctor, certain allergies—and allergy-related symptoms such as headaches—can be addressed with preventive steps and OTC medications. If your allergies are interfering with your day-to-day activities, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a full diagnosis and possibly a referral to an allergist.

According to the Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center of North Scottsdale's website, Dr. Gergits earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from West Virginia University. Afterward, he went on to earn a Master of Science in biochemistry from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gergits completed his education, earning a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.