Sinus infection or just bad allergies?

[jade_21]

About three months ago, I went to the doctor because my hearing was muffled.  I was diagnosed with eustachian tube dysfunction.  She gave me a nasal spray to use, but after three weeks of using it with out results, I stopped using it.  I continued to use the netti pot and down antihestamines and it finally cleared up.  Now about a month ago, I started getting sinus headaches.  I've continued to use the netti pot and zyrtec or allegra OTC medication.  Nothing is really helping.  My eyes have been scratchy and there is draining/goop in them when I wake up in the morning.  The drainage is progressively getting better, but it still continues.  Does this sound like it is a sinus infection or just bad allergies?  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What you have is chronic post nasal drip. Post-nasal drip (PND) occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose. It can be caused by rhinitis, sinusitis, or laryngopharyngeal acid reflux. It can be enhanced or sometimes even caused by allergies.

Please check out with an ENT specialist if you are having chronic rhinitis or sinusitis. If you have chronic sinusitis then it can lead to continuous production of mucus and less drainage leading to post nasal drip. Transillumination test and X-Ray or CT sinuses can help in diagnosing it. If allergic rhinitis is the cause of PND then it can be diagnosed by skin ***** tests or blood tests like RAST.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[jade_21]

I should also add that I've had a post-nasal drip now for months.