Your Toolkit for:

Chronic Sinus Conditions

• AERD
• Allergic Rhinitis
• CRSwNP
• Nasal Polyps
• Sinusitis

Chronic sinus conditions happen when your sinuses stay swollen or blocked for a long time, lasting 12 weeks or more. This can cause ongoing stuffy noses, headaches, and trouble breathing, making it hard to feel your best every day. This toolkit explores the various chronic sinus conditions, symptoms, and treatments.

Acute or Chronic Sinusitis: What’s the Difference?

Sinusitis is when your sinuses get swollen or infected, but it can happen in two different ways: acute or chronic.

Acute Sinusitis

Short-term: Lasts less than 4 weeks.
Causes: Often from a cold, virus, or bacteria.
Symptoms: Stuffy nose, facial pain, thick mucus, and sometimes fever.
Treatment: Rest, nasal sprays, or antibiotics if needed.

Chronic Sinusitis

Treatment: Nasal sprays, allergy care, or surgery for severe cases.
Long-term: Lasts 12 weeks or more.
Causes: Allergies, nasal polyps, or ongoing inflammation.
Symptoms: Long-lasting congestion, reduced smell, thick mucus, and mild facial pressure.

Feature	Acute	Chronic
Severity	Symptoms are often more intense	Symptoms are milder but persistent
Cause	Often viral or bacterial infection	Often due to structural issues, allergies, or chronic inflammation
Treatment	Short-term (e.g., rest, antibiotics)	Long-term management or surgery
Duration	Less than 4 weeks	12 weeks or longer

This toolkit includes pages of medically reviewed information, patient reviewed content, podcasts, webinars, and in depth articles on the condition.

Q & A Intro Articles Podcasts Webinars Blog Posts Videos

Chronic sinus conditions involve sinuses that remain swollen or blocked for 12 weeks or more. This can lead to persistent stuffy or runny noses, headaches, difficulty breathing through the nose, and other symptoms.

Chronic congestion is often caused by underlying factors such as allergies, nasal polyps, or continuous inflammation.

Chronic sinus conditions are associated with ongoing symptoms including headaches, persistent nasal congestion, and mild facial pressure.

First-line treatments for chronic sinus issues typically involve corticosteroid nasal sprays. These reduce inflammation. There’s also a breath-powered device that contains a corticosteroid. If nasal polyps are present and symptoms are moderate to severe, biologics may be considered.

Clearing congestion involves management such as periodic nasal rinses and avoiding triggers. Treatment may include corticosteroid nasal sprays or other corticosteroid delivery methods.

Medically Reviewed Articles on Chronic Sinus Conditions

Get trusted, medically reviewed information on chronic sinus conditions to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment and daily management.

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/aerd-aspirin-exacerbated-respiratory-disease

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyps-crswnp

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/nasal-allergy-allergic-rhinitis

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/nasal-polyps

Sinusitis

Podcasts on Chronic Sinus Conditions

Tune in to our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast to hear healthcare experts and patients discuss the latest treatments and everyday challenges for people living with chronic sinus conditions.

What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis WITHOUT Nasal Polyps?

Our latest podcast explores chronic rhinosinusitis WITHOUT nasal polyps. It is the most common type of chronic sinusitis. Learn why so many patients go undiagnosed for years.
How to Treat Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)

This podcast explains treatment options for nasal polyps in CRSwNP, including nasal sprays, surgery, and biologic medications that target inflammation.
How Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) Is Diagnosed

Get a look at how chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is diagnosed, including key symptoms, exams such as nasal endoscopy and CT scans, and testing.
What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)?

This podcast explains chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), what causes it, and how it affects your breathing, ability to smell, and quality of life.
Tezepelumab for Nasal Polyps

In this podcast journal review, we look at how the Tezepelumab shot reduced nasal polyps and improved breathing in a year-long study on chronic sinus swelling.
Let Me Breathe the Air: Getting to Know AERD

Rhonda Nelson and her husband Wayne, lead singer of Little River Band, host our new podcast. Learn about AERD and the importance of a proper diagnosis.

Webinars on Chronic Sinus Conditions

Watch our expert-led webinars on chronic sinus conditions and get insights on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and research advances.

Managing Allergic Rhinitis: Effective Strategies (Recording)

Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) and the Role of Type 2 inflammation (Recording)

Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD): Questions & Answers with Dr. Tanya Laidlaw

Blog Posts on Chronic Sinus Conditions

Read the latest insights and information on chronic sinus conditions, from practical tips for controlling nasal congestion to sharing personal stories and expert perspectives.

Take the SNOT-22 Survey

Living with constant sinus and nasal symptoms can affect far more than your breathing. It can affect your daily life in ways that are…
Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD): Questions & Answers with Dr. Tanya Laidlaw

Dr. Tania Laidlaw joined us on September 26th to lead a question and answer session about Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD).
Musician & Wife Raise Awareness for Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD)

Rhonda Nelson and her husband Wayne of Little River Band raise awareness for Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) following her diagnosis.
AERD and COVID-19: What You Need to Know

Information and tips for managing AERD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes a tip sheet you can download.