Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses, which are air-filled pockets located surrounding the nasal cavity. Sinuses are structures that humidify and warm the air we breathe under normal conditions. Sinusitis often occurs after a cold or allergy, and there are 4 types in terms of time,

• Acute Sinusitis

Sinusitis lasting less than four weeks.

• Subacute Sinusitis

The symptoms of such infections last for 4 to 8 weeks and may not respond to treatment in the first place. The course of sinusitis varies between acute and chronic.

• Chronic Sinusitis

These are the conditions in which there is no regression or improvement in their complaints for 6-8 weeks despite appropriate treatment.

• Recurrent Sinusitis

If you have 3 or more acute sinusitis attacks in a year, it is called recurrent sinusitis.

Infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as the common cold, can also cause sinusitis. The mucosa lining the inside of the nose swells during these illnesses, preventing the sinuses from opening into the nasal cavity.

Allergies, like upper respiratory tract illnesses, cause mucous tissue to expand and create more mucus by a similar mechanism, sealing the nasal passages.

Other conditions that can lead to sinusitis include:

• Abnormalities in the structure of the nose
• Enlarged adenoids
• Diving and swimming
• Dental infections and complications of their treatment
• Nose injury
• Foreign bodies stuck in the nose
• Smoking

The inside of the sinuses becomes an ideal breeding ground for germs and viruses when the sinuses are blocked from opening into the nasal cavity. Sinusitis is caused by bacterial or viral proliferation that causes an infection inside the sinuses. The bacteria and viruses that cause sinusitis are the same ones that are typically seen in upper respiratory tract infections.

Symptoms

Although the symptoms of sinusitis may vary depending on age, the following symptoms may occur:

• Runny nose that lasts longer than 7 to 10 days
• Cough
• Swelling around the eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Headache
• Facial pain
• Bad breath
• High Fever
• A feeling of fullness and pressure in the ears
• Decreased sense of smell

Diagnostic Methods

The diagnosis of sinusitis can be made by your doctor’s evaluation of his complaints and examination; In addition, your doctor may also request tests such as:

• Nasal culture
• Direct graphy (x-ray)
• Computed tomography(CT)
• Blood tests

Treatment Methods

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which can be defined as air-filled pockets opening into the nasal cavity. Your physician can treat sinusitis in a variety of ways, depending on the patient’s age, the underlying cause of the sinusitis, and the type of bacteria or viruses that cause the disease.

Nasal sprays and washes, as well as pain medicines, may be prescribed by your doctor to treat nasal congestion and headaches, and facial pain. In addition, antibiotics can be used to treat sinusitis that is assumed to be bacterial in origin, while they may not be necessary for sinusitis that is thought to be viral in origin.

You may be referred to an allergist or immunologist for chronic or recurrent sinusitis as a result of your physician’s controls.

Surgical operations may be recommended as a therapy option for some chronic illnesses.