Dr. Ameen, ENT Specialist in Kuala Lumpur

PART 1 – Understanding Chronic Rhinosinusitis: More Than Just a “Blocked Nose”

Most people think sinus problems are just about a blocked nose or facial pressure. But if you’re still struggling after weeks or months, it may be Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) — a condition far more complex than a simple sinus infection.

So, what exactly is CRS?

In medical terms, CRS is persistent inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses lasting more than 12 weeks, despite appropriate treatment. According to international rhinology guidelines, CRS isn’t defined by a scan alone or one symptom — it’s a syndrome, a combination of symptoms, inflammation, and impaired sinus function.

Think of your sinuses like a house with windows for ventilation. When the windows are blocked and the air stays stale for months, mould grows. CRS works the same way — chronic inflammation traps mucus, disrupts airflow, and creates an unhealthy environment.

Core Symptoms of CRS

To diagnose CRS, patients usually experience at least two of the following:

• Persistent nasal blockage or congestion
• Thick nasal discharge (anterior or postnasal drip)
• Facial pain, pressure, or fullness
• Reduced or lost sense of smell

And importantly — these symptoms don’t fully resolve after standard short-term treatment.

CRS affects quality of life as much as asthma or diabetes. Poor sleep, constant fatigue, headaches, brain fog — patients often say, “Doctor, I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

CRS is not one disease, but a spectrum. And that brings us to an important distinction.