Chronic sinusitis can push some Singapore patients toward surgery

Sinusitis affects nearly all Singaporeans at least once, but long-lasting cases can disrupt breathing, sleep, hearing and voice. ENT specialist Dr Ker Liang says surgery may be needed when medication cannot clear blocked sinus passages.

Why it matters: - Sinusitis is common in Singapore, where humidity, allergens and viral infections can keep symptoms lingering. - Chronic sinusitis can affect breathing, sleep quality, hearing and voice, turning a common nuisance into a longer-term health problem. - Early evaluation can help patients find out whether the cause is infectious, inflammatory or structural, and whether surgery could offer lasting relief.

What happened: - The article focuses on sinusitis in Singapore and the treatment choices for chronic cases. - Dr Ker Liang, an ear, nose and throat specialist with more than 14 years of experience, discussed why some sinus infections become chronic and when surgery is considered. - Before opening her own practice, Dr Ker worked as a consultant at the National University Health System, covering NUH, Alexandra Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. - Dr Ker also managed a voice and swallowing clinic and treated local and international patients.

The details: - Sinusitis happens when the air-filled cavities around the nose become inflamed or swollen. - Swelling blocks normal drainage and causes mucus build-up. - Common symptoms include a blocked nose, thick yellow or green mucus, trouble breathing through the nose, reduced smell or taste, facial pressure or pain, head heaviness, toothache or jaw discomfort, and bad breath. - Some patients also report ear pain, sore throat, fever or fatigue. - Dr Ker said humidity and allergens in Singapore can make sinus inflammation last longer than expected. - Acute sinusitis usually develops quickly and often improves within days or weeks. - Chronic sinusitis lasts 12 weeks or more despite treatment. - Causes can include viral, bacterial and, less commonly, fungal infections. - Fungal infections are more likely among people with weakened immune systems. - Structural problems such as a crooked nasal septum, nasal polyps, cystic fibrosis and untreated allergies can block drainage and prolong inflammation. - Dental infections can also contribute. - Medical treatment usually comes first, including nasal sprays, antihistamines or antibiotics. - Medication may not solve the problem if sinus passages are narrowed or blocked. - Chronic inflammation can force mouth breathing, especially at night, and can lead to snoring and poorer sleep. - Sinus inflammation can affect the Eustachian tube and cause ear blockage or muffled hearing. - Post-nasal drip can irritate the throat and vocal cords. - Teachers, public speakers and singers may notice even small changes in voice quality when inflammation becomes chronic. - Surgery may be recommended when symptoms persist despite medication or imaging shows significant blockage. - Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, or FESS, is a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked sinus pathways and improves natural drainage. - Balloon sinuplasty uses a small balloon to widen narrowed sinus openings while preserving surrounding tissue. - Dr Ker said these procedures aim to restore normal airflow and drainage so inflammation can settle and patients can breathe more comfortably. - Surgery is typically considered for recurrent infections, nasal polyps, structural blockages or long-standing symptoms affecting sleep, breathing, hearing or voice.

Between the lines: - The piece frames sinusitis as something many people dismiss, even when symptoms keep returning. - The emphasis on surgery suggests that chronic sinusitis is less about one bad infection and more about an ongoing drainage problem that medicine may not fully fix. - Voice, sleep and hearing effects broaden the issue beyond the nose, which may push more patients to seek specialist care earlier.

What's next: - Patients with symptoms lasting weeks or months may need an ENT assessment to identify the cause and the right treatment path. - More awareness may help people recognize when ongoing sinus symptoms are no longer temporary and when procedural treatment could help. - Proper care from an ENT clinic in Singapore may lead to meaningful long-term improvement for chronic cases.