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Sinusitis Specialist in Singapore

Nasal complaints are among the most common conditions for which patients seek medical care, including nasal congestion, runny nose, post nasal drip, and nose bleeds. As a sinus doctor and sinus specialists in Singapore, we will ensure an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan to solve all your nose and sinus issues.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in the skull located behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes. This condition often develops following a cold, allergies, or infections. When the sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria or viruses can grow and lead to infection.

There are two main forms:

Acute sinusitis: Short-term, lasting up to four weeks
Chronic sinusitis: Persists for more than 12 weeks despite medical treatment

In Singapore’s humid climate, sinusitis is a common concern and may be recurrent if not properly managed.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, can cause a range of symptoms that affect the quality of life. Common symptoms include:

Nasal Congestion

A blocked or stuffy nose is one of the most common signs of sinusitis, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.

Facial Pain and Pressure

Many people with sinusitis experience pain or tenderness around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. This pain may worsen when bending over or touching the face.

Headache

Sinus headaches are often felt in the forehead, temples, and behind the eyes, and can be accompanied by a dull, persistent ache.

Post-nasal Drip

This occurs when mucus from the sinuses drips down the back of the throat, causing irritation, coughing, and a sore throat.

Reduced Sense of Smell or Taste

Blocked sinuses can lead to a temporary loss or reduction in the ability to smell or taste.

Fever

In some cases, sinusitis may cause mild fever or a general feeling of being unwell.

Fatigue

Due to discomfort and difficulty breathing, people with sinusitis often feel unusually tired or fatigued.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult a sinus doctor in Singapore for proper diagnosis and treatment. A sinus specialist in Singapore can help determine the best course of action, which may include medication, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery to alleviate chronic symptoms. Early intervention can prevent complications and improve quality of life.

What Are The Different Types Of Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)?

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection of the sinuses that can be classified into two main types: acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. Each type has distinct characteristics and requires different approaches to treatment.

Acute Sinusitis: This type of sinusitis typically lasts for a short period, usually less than four weeks. It is often triggered by a viral infection, such as a cold, but can also be caused by bacterial infections. Symptoms of acute sinusitis include nasal congestion, facial pain, headache, post-nasal drip, and a reduced sense of smell. Acute sinusitis is usually self-limiting and may resolve with over-the-counter treatments, but in some cases, antibiotics may be required if a bacterial infection is suspected.

Chronic Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis persists for longer periods, typically lasting more than 12 weeks. It can result from ongoing inflammation, recurrent infections, or structural issues within the sinuses. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis may overlap with those of acute sinusitis, but they are more persistent and may include constant nasal congestion, facial pressure, thick nasal discharge, and a chronic cough. Chronic sinusitis often requires more specialised treatment, which may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgical intervention by a sinus surgeon in Singapore.

What Are Some Of The Causes Of Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)?

There are various causes that can lead to sinusitis. Common causes of sinus infection include bacterial, viral, or fungal causes, a weakened immune system, and structural abnormalities in the nose.

Patients prone to allergies may be more likely to develop sinusitis. Patients with allergies can aim to achieve better control over their allergic reactions by avoiding known allergens to reduce their chances of developing sinusitis.

Alternatively, patients with structural abnormalities of the nose may be predisposed to developing sinusitis. Speak to our doctors about correcting these abnormalities to reduce the incidence of sinusitis.

When to See a Sinus Specialist in Singapore?

A visit to a sinus specialist may be helpful if:

You have symptoms that persist for more than 10 days
Symptoms do not respond to over-the-counter remedies
You experience recurrent sinus infections
There is significant facial pain or pressure
Breathing through the nose is consistently difficult

These signs may indicate an underlying issue such as nasal polyps, deviated septum or chronic infection, which requires clinical evaluation.

How Are Sinus Infections Diagnosed by a Sinusitis Specialist?

During your visit, a detailed consultation will be conducted by our sinus doctor to assess your symptoms and medical history. Based on the clinical evaluation, diagnostic tests may be recommended, such as:

Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible camera is used to examine the nasal passages.
Imaging (e.g. CT scan): Helps visualise the sinuses and detect structural abnormalities.
Allergy testing: Conducted when allergic rhinitis is suspected as a contributing factor.

All diagnostic procedures are performed based on clinical indications and patient needs.

Sinusitis Treatment Options in Singapore

Medical Management

We understand that sinusitis can be extremely frustrating. After properly diagnosing your condition, we may initially recommend various non-surgical treatment methods, these include:

Antibiotics for bacterial sinusitis
Intranasal steroids
Intranasal antihistamines / decongestants
Oral antihistamines / decongestants

In more severe cases of sinus infection, or when non-surgical treatment methods have proven unsuccessful, our doctors may recommend:

Sinus surgery
Long-term intranasal steroids
Biologic treatments for patients with nasal polyps

Surgical Treatment

If medical therapy is not effective, surgery may be considered. The most common procedure is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

FESS is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at improving sinus drainage and ventilation. It is typically considered when:

Chronic sinusitis does not improve with medication
There are structural blockages, such as polyps or a deviated septum

The surgery involves using an endoscope to access and widen the sinus openings. Recovery is usually straightforward, though post-operative care is important to support healing.

Treatment plans, including surgical options, are determined after detailed consultation and evaluation of each patient’s condition.

What Is Epistaxis?

Epistaxis is more commonly known as nosebleeds. They can be further classified into anterior and posterior. Anterior is where the bleeding comes out from the front of the nose, and posterior is where bleeding flows down the back of the throat and is either coughed or spat out.

By and large, epistaxis is a common condition that can be treated with conservative measures. However, epistaxis may also indicate more serious underlying conditions such as nasal infections and nasal tumours.

Within the local Singaporean adult population, nasopharyngeal cancer may present as epistaxis.

What Are The Causes Of Epistaxis (Nosebleeds)?

There are various factors that lead to epistaxis. These include:

Trauma
Allergies
Foreign bodies in the nose
Low humidity / dryness
Certain medications
Certain conditions that predispose to bleeding
Nasal infections / Sinusitis
Nasal tumours

How Do I Manage Epistaxis (Nosebleeds) At Home?

If you are suffering from a nosebleed, you can attempt to stop the bleeding by pinching the nostrils firmly for 5-10 minutes. Additionally, you may gargle iced water, suck on ice cubes, or hold an ice pack to the forehead.

When Should I See a Doctor For Epistaxis (Nosebleeds)?

You should see a doctor for a nosebleed if it fails to stop after 10 to 15 minutes of conservative measures, such as those mentioned above.

Additionally, you should see a doctor for nosebleeds if they are recurrent, or if there is a history of smoking or a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer.

What Are the Treatment Options For Epistaxis (Nosebleeds)?

When treating and managing nosebleeds, our doctors will treat the underlying conditions, if any. Allergies may be controlled with medication, and environmental modifications may be required. For example, patients may need to humidify their air or decrease prolonged exposure to dry air.

In persistent cases of epistaxis, patients can be treated under local anaesthetic with either chemical cautery or with a device using a small electrical current to generate heat to seal off blood vessels.

In severe cases, surgery may be required to tie off blood vessels in the nose to reduce the chance of bleeding.

Can Epistaxis (Nosebleeds) Be Prevented?

Epistaxis can be prevented by treating any underlying conditions and controlling allergies with medication. Additionally, environmental factors such as dry air Identified and corrected if possible.

What is Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy?

The inferior turbinates are bony structures in the nose which are covered with a nasal lining (mucosa). This nasal lining contains numerous blood vessels, which can fill with blood causing the mucosa to swell.

Swelling of this mucosa decreases the space in the nasal cavity and leads to nasal blockage and obstruction.

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is commonly found in patients with concurrent allergic rhinitis. They can also easily be mistaken for nasal polys on a routine examination, and are best evaluated with a nasoendoscopic examination.

Is Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy Cause For Concern?

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy can cause nasal blockage and obstruction. Some patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy also have a deviated nasal septum, which further worsens the nasal obstruction.

What Are The Treatment Options For Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy?

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy can be treated with medications such as intranasal steroids, antihistamines and decongestants. However, these medications must be used regularly to prevent the issue from recurring. A longer term solution would consist of surgical procedures such as radiofrequency ablation of the inferior turbinates, or inferior turbinoplasty / turbinectomy.

Can Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy Be Prevented?

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy occurs commonly in patients with allergic rhinitis. Treatment of this underlying condition, either through medical or surgical means, can help control inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

What Are Some Uncommon Nasal And Sinus Conditions?

Nasal And Sinus Tumors

Sinus and nasal cavity tumors are most commonly benign (non-cancerous) and typically do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant (cancerous) tumors are uncommon. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer found in the sinuses and nasal cavity. Other types of cancer include: adenocarcinoma, salivary gland cancers, lymphoma, melanoma and esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma). Some of these malignant tumors may invade areas adjacent to the sinuses and nasal cavity, such as the brain, eye and oral cavity.

The diagnosis for a sinus tumor relies on a thorough history/physical examination, imaging studies and ultimately a biopsy of the mass. The biopsy is reviewed with a pathologist to determine the proper diagnosis.

Treatment of sinus tumors is coordinated with a variety of other physicians including ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, medical and radiation oncologists when indicated. Treatment may include extensive sinus surgery with complex reconstructions, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is fluid that provides nourishment and protection to the brain and spinal cord. It surrounds the brain and also helps cushion the it from potential injury. CSF leaks occurs when this fluid leaks through a hole in the dura (the covering of the brain) and the bone of the skull. The fluid commonly drains from the nose depending on where this defect is located. The leak can be the result of trauma, prior surgery or can at times occur spontaneously without any identifiable cause.

Patients with CSF leaks typically complain of clear, watery drainage usually only from one side of the nose. The drainage can worsen with tilting the head forward and/or straining. Other symptoms can include headaches, visual changes, and recurrent infections of the lining of the spinal cord (meningitis).

If drainage can be collected it will be sent for laboratory testing to confirm that it is CSF. Imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI may be ordered for evaluation and assess the potential points of leakage.

Treatment can be either medical or surgical. Conservative treatment is usually recommended first in cases of spontaneous CSF leak or after head trauma. Surgical treatment of CSF leaks is used when conservative measures fail. Surgery can usually be performed using an endoscopic approach through the nostril often in conjunction with a neurosurgeon.