Sinusitis - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

What is Sinusitis?
For those of you who do not know what Sinusitis is, it is the inflammation or swelling of the sinus tissues which are hollow spaces in between the bones around the nose. The sinuses are healthy when there is constant flow in the air but when the portion gets blocked it fills with bacteria and viruses. This causes mucus and other unhealthy elements to remain blocked inside the nose.

Symptoms-
The symptoms of sinusitis are common and not critical or dangerous in nature. Over 40 million people get affected by this common disease every year.

1. Swelling or inflammation inside the nose because of a mild fever or common cold can cause the sinuses to get blocked and result to sinusitis.
2. If the drainage ducts inside, the nose gets blocked the health passage of air gets halted or disrupted.
3. A runny nose with a constant flow of water and the nose might also get blocked by pus inside.
4. Structural problems inside the nose which may lead to the narrowing of the nasal tract through which the air passes and comes back.
5. Deficiency in the immune system can lead to such a problem.
6. Allergies are also a common contributor to the cause of sinusitis because the nasal chamber gets blocked in the result.

Treatment-
Treating a condition of sinusitis is very common. Let us have a look :

1. The first thing which a doctor will prescribe you is an antibiotic doze of 7-8 days, which will help you to fight the blocked bacterias and viruses.
2. Warm compresses will help the nasal cavity to remain warm and wet, keeping it clean from pus and germs. Thus clearing the way for healthy inhaling of air.
3. Saline nose drops are also used to clear out the blockage in the nose and fight the germs building inside the sinuses.
4. Sometimes surgeries are also performed when no other medications work properly. It helps to widen the natural pathway which helps in draining between the sinuses and nose, resulting in the congested mucus to come out and again start a fresh process of taking air in.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Sinusitis or sinus is an infection in which your nasal passage becomes inflamed and congested. The main cause of the health problem is due to a virus. But there are rare cases in which the infections are caused by a bacteria or in even rarer cases by a fungus. Some health conditions including tooth problems, allergies and nasal polyps can also result in sinus problems. Here are some of the effects of sinus on your health.

1. Headaches: Headaches are one of the primary and most common effects that sinus brings upon your health. The headaches result mainly because your nasal passage becomes completely blocked if you suffer from a sinus infection. The headaches are usually more adverse in the morning. The main reason behind this is that the fluids in your body accumulate in your sinus at night as you lay down for a long period of time. These type of headaches usually get worse when you are traveling due to a sudden change in the air pressure.
2. Facial Pain: Facial pain along with an excruciating headache sometimes becomes unbearable in people who have sinus problems. When you have an infection in your sinus and it swells, it causes an immense amount of pressure on your facial region which leads to the pain. The pain continues between your jaws, your eyes, on both sides of your nose. You may sometimes experience pain in your teeth as well. The bridge of the nose and the region under your eyes may seem puffy due to the fluid accumulation.
3. Nasal Discharge: The nasal discharge is more frequent and you will end up blowing your nose number of times than usual. You may also experience as postnasal drip. This is a special condition in which the mucus is seen dripping at the end of your throat because of which may make ticklish. This happens because of the excessive buildup of discharge in your nasal region. The postnasal drip sometimes also leads to a hoarseness in the voice and you may have to clear your throat from time to time.
4. Cough: A cough usually results from postnasal drip. Coughing usually aggravates at night as the postnasal drip goes down the throat and tickles the nerves of the nasopharynx which often triggers a cough.
5. Extreme Fatigue: The fatigue is a common side effect of sinus problem since your body employs your immune system to fight off the virus and uses up body's energy in the process leaving you tired. The postnasal drip and headaches often lead to poor sleep which makes you feel even more tired.

So, these are some of the effects that sinus problems can cause on your health. But with proper care and medical assistance, you can combat the problems effectively.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A condition that commonly affects young and middle-aged adults and lasts for at least 12 weeks despite treatment is chronic rhinosinusitis. The condition occurs when the cavities in close vicinity to the nasal passages become inflamed and swollen and can cause a disruption in the drainage that leads to mucus buildup, making the area around the eyes and face swollen.

Causes-
The disease can be caused by an infection, growth in the sinuses, or by a deviated nasal septum among others. The most common causes of the condition include,

1. Deviated nasal septum: When the septum becomes crooked, it may hinder or even block the nasal passages.
2. Nasal polyps: It refers to the growth of tissues in the nasal passage which can block the sinuses or the nasal passages.
3. Respiratory tract infections: Infections in the respiratory tract which is commonly referred to as colds can inflame and thicken the sinus membranes and block the drainage of mucus.
4. Hay fever: Inflammation that occurs alongside allergies may also block the sinuses.
5. Allied medical conditions: If there is a complication of cystic fibrosis or HIV or gastroesophageal reflux disease or any other immune-related ailments, it may cause chronic rhinosinusitis.

Signs and symptoms to watch for-
There are four primary signs and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis of which at least two must be present with nasal inflammation for being diagnosed with the disease. These symptoms include,

1. Thick and discolored discharge from the drainage down the back of the throat called postnasal drainage.
2. Nasal obstruction along with difficulty in breathing through the nose.
3. Tenderness, swelling, and pain in the eyes, nose, cheeks, or forehead.
4. Reduced sense of taste or smell in adults and coughing in children.

Other symptoms of the disease can include an ache in the upper jaw, sore throat, earache, bad breath, nausea, and fatigue along with irritability. It is worthy of mention here that both chronic and acute rhinosinusitis have similar signs and symptoms, but acute sinusitis is a temporary infection which is often associated with a cough and cold.

Treating chronic sinusitis-
The most effective treatments for chronic sinusitis include saline nasal irrigation, nasal corticosteroids, oral or injected corticosteroids and aspirin desensitization treatment. Sometimes, antibiotics and immunotherapy are also opted for treating the condition. One must consult with an ENT specialist to treat the condition effectively.

Prevention-
It is important to avoid infections in the upper respiratory tract and manage your allergies well in order to prevent frequent attacks of chronic sinusitis. One should also avoid staying for long hours in polluted air and smoking and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air which can prevent sinusitis.

Though treatable, chronic sinusitis tends to stay for several weeks with symptoms causing discomfort. Hence, it is crucial to seek medical care when diagnosed, and it is also important to follow your doctor’s instructions so as to avoid recurring episodes.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Sinuses are cavities in our skull behind the nose which spread out in a pattern. These cavities are lined with tissues and mucosal membranes and are essential for our breathing process. Sinusitis is a condition where the tissues within the cavities become inflamed which results in the sinus cavities being blocked due to a buildup of fluid.

What are the conditions that can lead to sinusitis?
Some of the conditions that can cause nasal polyps are explained as follows:

1. Nasal polyps are small growths of tissue within the lining of the nose which may block the sinuses, resulting in sinusitis.
2. Common cold is also a culprit which may result in sinusitis
3. If your septum or the bridge between the holes of the nose is deviated (this condition is referred to as a deviated septum), you may be prone to developing sinusitis.
4. The lining of the nose may swell in a condition known as allergic rhinitis and cause sinusitis as well.

Types of sinusitis
There are multiple types of sinusitis which may affect people and also on how long they last. The various types of sinusitis are explained below:

1. Acute sinusitis: This is the most common form of sinusitis that lasts usually between 2 to 4 weeks. It starts with a cold, blocked nose and turns into facial pain that usually starts very suddenly.
2. Chronic sinusitis: This is a form of sinus infection which can have a debilitating effect on your life and may last for 12 weeks or longer.
3. Sub-acute sinusitis: This is somewhere between acute and chronic sinusitis and may last from anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks.
4. Recurrent sinusitis: This form of sinus infections tend to be a variation of acute or sub-acute sinusitis which tends to occur multiple times a year.

Symptoms of sinusitis
The manifestation of the symptoms of sinusitis may be different from person to person and also on the type of sinusitis you are suffering from. However, there are some generic symptoms that are common to all forms which are mentioned as follows:

1. Smelling senses may be dulled
2. Facial pain
3. Congestion accompanied by a cough
4. Nose may be blocked, stuffy and may also be runny
5. Other symptoms may also include bad breath, fatigue, or even dental pain
6. Nasal cavity may have pus and it may drain from time to time

It is best to consult a doctor quickly, if you have been having any of these symptoms. The doctor can prescribe nasal decongestants and antibiotics which can help. If you have chronic or recurrent sinusitis, then more aggressive and advanced treatments may be required. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ent Specialist.

The inflammatory condition of your sinuses (marked by inflammation of your nasal cavities) caused due to viral, bacterial or fungal infection; any autoimmune disorders or allergic reaction is known as sinusitis. This condition is also referred to as 'rhinosinusitis' as nose inflammation occurs. Sinusitis can be either acute, sub-acute or chronic in nature. Acute sinusitis is generally caused due to the common cold and lasts not more than four weeks. Sub-acute sinusitis is more prolonged in nature and lasts for about eight weeks. Chronic sinusitis is more severe in nature and can last for up to twelve weeks or even more.

The most common symptoms of sinusitis are as follows: 

1. Severe headaches
2. Nose blockage
3. Release of yellowish green fluids from your nose.
4. Fever
5. Difficulty in breathing
6. Painful sensation in your eyes, ears and forehead.
7. Post nasal discharge
8. Frequent cough
9. A sore throat
10. Nausea
11. Body fatigue
12. Neck stiffness
13. Tastelessness and anosmia (loss of smell)

The treatment methods available for sinusitis are as follows:

• Intake of painkillers like paracetamol can give you temporary relief from your aches. But consuming too much of these can cause side effects such as loss of appetite and drowsiness.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking about 2 to 3 liters of water every day and take proper rest.
• Steam inhalation can give you relief from nasal congestion.
• Using nasal sprays like Oxymetazoline can also give you temporary relief.
• Your doctor may advise you antibiotics like Amoxicillin in your sinusitis is chronic in nature.
• Immunotherapy helps to treat sinusitis if your sinusitis is caused due to allergic reactions.
• Your doctor may also recommend an endoscopic surgery of the sinus if your condition is found to be very severe. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ent Specialist.