Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. It is caused by viral infections and often clears up within two to three weeks. The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose. Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up. This stops mucus from draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up. In sinusitis, these passages become blocked as the epithelium lining the sinus becomes inflamed and swollen.
Signs and symptoms
Sinusitis usually develops after an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold. If you have a bad cold and experience the symptoms listed below, it may be a sign of sinusitis.
The main symptoms of sinusitis include:
- green or yellow mucus from the nose;
- a blocked nose;
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead;
- a sinus headache;
- a high temperature of 38°C and more;
- toothache;
- a reduced sense of smell.
Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth. Speech may be nasalized (like in a cold). Sinusitis symptoms clear within a few weeks (acute sinusitis), but rarely last longer than three months (chronic sinusitis).
What causes sinusitis?
Viral infection is the most common cause of sinusitis. It usually develops after a cold or flu, when viruses enter the sinuses from the upper respiratory tract. Only a small number of cases of sinusitis caused by bacterial infection have been recorded. In rare cases, sinus inflammation can be caused by dental or fungal infection. It is not known what causes chronic sinusitis (when sinusitis lasts for a long time), but it is associated with:
- allergies and related conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and hay fever;
- nasal polyps (growths in the nose);
- cigarette smoking;
- weakened immune system.
Complications of sinusitis
Complications of sinusitis are more common in children than in adults. If your child has swollen areas around the cheekbones or swollen eyelids when he or she has sinusitis, it could be the result of an infection of the skin, soft tissues, or even the tissues around the eyes. If you notice these symptoms in your child, take your child to your personal physician who will refer you to an ENT specialist.
When shall you see a doctor?
If the symptoms are mild and improve gradually, you do not need to see a doctor and can be treated at home.
But you shall see a doctor if:
- your symptoms are severe or get worse;
- your symptoms do not improve after 7-10 days;
- you have frequent sinusitis episodes.
Your doctor will try to make a diagnosis by observing your symptoms and examining the inside of your nose. If the type of recurrent sinusitis is acute, your doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist for additional tests.
Treatment of sinusitis
Most people with sinusitis recover within two to three weeks and can self-care at home.
Symptoms can be relieved with:
- Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen;
- Nasal decongestants, but remember that these should not be used for more than a week as they can make the problem worse;
- Warm diapers on the face;
- Regular rinsing of the inside of the nose with a saline solution. The solution for rinsing can be prepared independently or bought in a pharmacy. Before carrying out this procedure, be sure to consult a doctor who will explain in detail how to carry it out, and also familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions when buying the solution.
If symptoms do not improve after seven days or the sinusitis returns, see your doctor. Very severe sinusitis may require surgery to improve sinus function and drainage. However, surgery is used only if other methods of treatment are ineffective.
