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Acute sinusitis with severe frontal headache

By: Dr Cheong Jack Pein 

Updated : 7 October 2025

Sinusitis (Resdung) Treatment in Johor | Dr Cheong ENT Specialist Malaysia

Having a prolonged stuffy nose that doesn’t improve? You may have a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis.

Relief for blocked nose, facial pressure, and chronic sinus problems — expert ENT care by Dr Cheong Jack Pein, ENT specialist Johor Bahru, practising at KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital.

If you’ve been suffering from a stuffy nose, facial pressure, or recurring sinus infections, you may have sinusitis — also known locally as resdung. At Dr Cheong Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Sinus, Head and Neck Clinic – KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital, we provide comprehensive evaluation and advanced ENT treatments to help you breathe comfortably again.

What Is Sinusitis (Resdung)?

Sinusitis occurs when the air-filled spaces in your facial bones — called the paranasal sinuses — become swollen or infected, causing mucus blockage and discomfort.
 

The condition may be:

  • Acute – lasting less than 4 weeks

  • Subacute – 4 to 12 weeks

  • Chronic – persisting more than 12 weeks

 

In Malaysia, people often refer to chronic sinus inflammation as resdung.

Illustration comparing normal sinuses and sinusitis. The left side of the face shows clear, healthy sinus cavities, while the right side shows inflamed and congested sinuses filled with yellowish mucus, indicating infection and swelling. The image is labeled “Normal” on the left and “Sinusitis” on the right.

This image illustrates the difference between normal sinuses and sinusitis. The left side shows healthy, open sinus cavities, while the right side shows inflamed, swollen sinuses filled with mucus and pus — typical signs of sinus infection and congestion.

Anatomy of Paranasal Sinuses

Anatomy of normal paranasal sinuses

The paranasal sinuses lie within the head near the nose and around the eyes.
 

Four groups of paranasal sinuses :

  1. The ethmoidal sinuses are located between the eyes.

  2. The maxillary sinuses lie below the eyes.

  3. The sphenoidal sinuses lie behind the eyes.

  4. The frontal sinuses are located above the eyes.

What are the different ways the sinusitis can present?

Acute sinusitis:

This term describes an abrupt onset of flu symptoms such as drippy nose (post nasal throat stickiness or drips), stuffy nose, as well as facial pain (cheek and forehead) that does not go away after 10 days. It reacts well to decongestants as well as antibiotics.


Chronic sinusitis:

This term describes the collective symptoms of nasal congestion, watery drainage, facial pain/pressure, and also reduced sense of smell for at least 12 weeks.

Who are usually at risk of getting sinus infection?

Sinus infection can occur to any individual. Individuals with nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis), nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma and also abnormal nose structures such as turbinates hypertrophy or deviated nasal septum, are all more most likely to obtain sinus problems. Cigarette smoking is another important risk factor. 

What triggers sinusitis?

Sinus infection (resdung) can be triggered by:​

  • Viral or bacterial infections (common cold, flu)

  • Nasal allergies (alahan hidung)

  • Nasal polyps (soft tissue growths)

  • Deviated nasal septum or enlarged turbinates

  • Fungal infection (in some chronic cases)

  • Cigarette smoke or air pollutants

  • Weak immune system or long-term medication use

illustration of deviated nasal septum causes sinusitis

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

  • You may experience:

  • Blocked or stuffy nose

  • Thick yellow or green nasal discharge

  • Post-nasal drip (mucus trickling into the throat)

  • Facial or forehead pressure and headache

  • Reduced or altered sense of smell

  • Cough, especially at night

  • Bad breath (halitosis)

  • Fatigue or fever

 

If these symptoms last longer than 10 days or keep coming back, it’s time to see an ENT specialist.

frontal headache due to acute sinusitis.

Frontal Headache: Pressure-like pain especially over the forehead and around the eyes is the typical presenting symptom among individuals with acute sinus infection. 

How ENT Specialists Diagnose Sinusitis
(How Dr Cheong Diagnoses Sinusitis 'Resdung' in Johor)

At Dr Cheong ENT Clinic in Pasir Gudang, Johor, diagnosis involves:

  • Detailed nasal endoscopy using a fine camera to view sinus openings

  • CT scan of the sinuses for precise assessment of inflammation, blockage, or polyps

  • Allergy evaluation if needed

 

These tests help determine whether your symptoms are due to infection, allergy, or structural nose issues, ensuring that treatment is accurate and effective.

A watercolor-style illustration showing a doctor performing a nasal endoscopy on a young girl. The doctor, wearing gloves and a headlamp, gently inserts an endoscope into the girl’s nostril while she sits calmly on a teal chair, smiling slightly. The reflection of the procedure is visible on a nearby monitor in a softly lit clinic setting.

Picture shows the clinical examination of nose and sinuses assisted by a rigid endoscope. This procedure is often done as office-based and topical anaesthetic drug is always given.

Endoscopic view of left nose showing acute sinusitis condition.

Diagnostic endoscopic examination of left nasal cavity showing thick mucopurulent discharge from the left middle meatus.

Post sinus surgery FESS picture

Endoscopic picture of left nasal cavity showing the post-sinus surgery (FESS) changes. The picture shows the exteriorized ethmoid sinuses and frontal sinus drainage.

endoscopic view of Post sinus surgery.opened sphenoid sinus

Endoscopic view of post-sinus surgery showing the widened sphenoid sinus in the left nose.

Sinusitis (Resdung) Treatment Options in Johor Malaysia

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition. Our clinic provides modern resdung treatment in Malaysia, combining evidence-based medication and minimally invasive ENT procedures tailored for each patient. Our ENT clinic offers both medical and surgical approaches.

1. Medical Treatment (Non-Surgical)

  • Nasal saline rinse — daily cleansing helps clear mucus and allergens

  • Steroid nasal sprays — reduce swelling and polyp formation

  • Antibiotics — prescribed for bacterial sinus infections

  • Allergy management — antihistamines or desensitisation where appropriate

  • Lifestyle modification — avoid cigarette smoke, clean bedding regularly, maintain humidity indoors

2. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

If sinus blockage persists despite medication, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) may be recommended.
This minimally invasive procedure:

  • Removes nasal polyps or trapped mucus

  • Re-opens blocked sinus passages for better airflow

  • Improves drainage and long-term symptom control

 

All procedures at our clinic are performed under sterile, hospital-based settings with careful postoperative follow-up — trusted by patients seeking sinus surgery Johor Bahru and nearby regions.

When to Consider Surgery?

Surgery may be necessary if:

  • Chronic sinusitis persists despite adequate medication

  • CT scan shows total sinus obstruction

  • Polyps do not shrink with medical therapy

  • Nasal septum deviation causes severe nasal blockage

  • Fungal or allergic sinusitis is recurrent

Even after surgery, ongoing nasal care and medication may be required to prevent recurrence.

Possible Complications if Untreated

Untreated or poorly controlled sinusitis may lead to:

  • Recurrent infections

  • Chronic headaches

  • Loss of smell

  • Eye or orbital infection

  • Rarely, infection spreading to the brain (meningitis or abscess)

 

Seek prompt evaluation if you develop worsening facial pain, eye swelling, or persistent fever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can sinusitis be cured permanently?
Most cases can be well-controlled with proper treatment. Chronic sinusitis (resdung kronik) may require lifelong maintenance, but symptoms can be greatly reduced.


Q: Is sinus surgery painful?
Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is minimally invasive and usually performed under general anaesthesia. Most patients recover within 1–2 weeks.


Q: Can I prevent sinusitis from coming back?
Yes — keep your nose clean with daily saline rinse, manage allergies, avoid smoke and pollution, and follow your ENT specialist’s advice.

Visit Our ENT Clinic in Johor

Whether you need rawatan sinusitis or rawatan resdung Johor, our ENT clinic offers comprehensive diagnosis, medical therapy, and surgery under one roof — helping you breathe easier and live comfortably.

📍 Dr Cheong Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Sinus, Head and Neck Clinic
KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital
Persiaran Dahlia 2, Taman Bukit Dahlia, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia

 
📞 +607-257 3906
✉️ drcheong.ent@gmail.com
🌐 www.johorentdoctor.com

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