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It is a process by which the soft lining of the sinuses
gets swollen and angry and the tiny windows to the nose get blocked leading to
fluid being produced and collecting in the sinuses. This fluid gets infected by
bacteria and viruses.
What causes sinusitis?
Common colds, allergies, nasal polyps (soft grapelike swelling of the lining of
the sinuses), or a crooked nose bone blocking the nose.
Symtoms
Sudden start up of cold-like symptoms with runny stuffy nose, pain in some area
of the face that lasts more than 10 days.
1. Acute sinusitis lasts 10 to 14 days with two or more symptoms and yellow
green or opaque nasal discharge,
2. subacute lasts 4 to 8 weeks.
3. Chronic sinusitis lasts 8 weeks or longer with symptoms of face swelling nose
block pus in the nose, fever and
4. Recurrent sinusitis is when several attacks occur within a year or symptoms
lasting more than 12 months.
Usual symptoms include
Facial pain/pressure, dull constant aching pain, worse when bending over or
lying down, often starting on one side of the head and progressing to both sides
of the head
Nasal stuffiness
Nasal discharge, seen both in acute and chronic sinusitis, may be yellow or
green in colour and may contain blood or pus
Loss of smell
Cough/congestion
Fever
Bad breath
Fatigue
Dental pain
Infection of the eye sockets with loss of vision accompanied by fever and
severe illness.
Another serious complication is infection of the bones (osteomyelitis) of the
forehead and face.
Conditions that predispose to Sinusitis
Recurrent colds or allergies with stuffy nose,
changes in the size of windows opening from the sinuses to the nose, maybe
from birth or because of infections,
polyps in the nose,
decreased immunity either from birth or acquired from use of medications like
steroids and anticancer medications
smoking,
asthma,
cystic fibrosis a hereditary disorder producing very thick mucus in nose and
lungs.
In children commonly allergies, infections acquired from other children at day
care or school, pacifiers, drinking from bottles while lying on the back, and
smoke or dust in the environment.
Most cases are viral infections, but bacterial infections are suspected if the
symptoms last more than 10 days.
Diagnosis
Made by history of the illness combined with an examination by a doctor
confirmed by CT scans or X-rays mucus cultures and if required an endoscopy
procedure using a tiny camera and lights, to look into the nose.
Treatment
Medical treatment by antibiotics, antiallergics, painkillers, nasal drops and
sprays and if required steroids and immunoglobulins to boost immunity. The
selection of medications and dosages of each will vary depending on the doctors
assessment of the case. Selmef dication with over the counter prescriptions can
often worsen acute sinutisis or make it chronic.
Self help
Avoiding anything known to cause you allergies including foods, deo sprays,
air fresheners and other strong- smelling compounds that irritate the nose.
Steam inhalation which can even be done by running a hot shower after a bath
and sitting in the steam for some time for those who find it difficult to do
inhalations.
Avoid smoking and drinking or reduce as much as possible
Drink warm soups and fluids to help thin out the mucus
Walk 15 minutes a day or deep breathing exercises morning and evening to
increase airflow through the nose and sinuses.
Avoid sitting under a fan with wet hair or in front of an air conditioner.
When is surgery indicated ?
If medical treatments fail repeatedly and a blockage of the windows into the
sinuses or a crooked nose bone or polyps are found on examination endoscopic
sinus surgery and septoplasty or a new technique called balloon sinuplasty are
indicated. Patients can resume work in two to five days after surgery.
What happens if sinusitis is not treated ?
It may resolve or become chronic or may progress to complications like infection
of the brain and skull bones or the sockets of the eyes leading to visual
disturbances, which makes treatment longer, more expensive and surgical
correction more extensive.
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