What is Sinusitis?
Sinus infection or sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling in the tissues lining the sinuses (air-filled cavities located within the bones of the face and skull). This inflammation hampers the drainage of mucus, causing it to accumulate in the sinuses. This causes headaches, nasal congestion and other symptoms.
Sinusitis Symptoms
Sinusitis symptoms vary based on the duration and severity of the condition, and often overlaps with other respiratory conditions including:
Difficulty in breathing through the nose due to swelling in the nasal pages.
Runny nose with thick mucus (yellow or green).
Mucus dripping down the throat (postnasal drip).
Facial pain, discomfort or feeling of fullness in the face, around the forehead, eyes or cheeks.
A reduced ability to recognise odours.
Coughing or irritation in the throat.
Pain or pressure in the ears.
Foul smelling breath or bad taste in the mouth.
Note: If these symptoms persist or worsen over time, consult an ENT specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis.
Sinusitis Causes
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and allergens cause sinusitis. These may include:
Viral infections: Influenza viruses and rhinoviruses (common cold viruses) are major contributors to sinusitis.
Bacterial infections: Bacterial sinusitis usually develops as a secondary infection to a viral illness.
Fungal infections: Fungal sinusitis is common in individuals with compromised immune systems.
Nasal or seasonal allergies: Allergic reactions to dust, pollen and other allergens can cause inflammation in the sinuses or sinusitis.
Nasal polyps: Abnormal growths in the nasal passage can obstruct or block nasal drainage, causing sinusitis.
Deviated nasal septum: A deviated septum impedes sinus drainage, causing sinus infection.
Infections of the respiratory tract: Respiratory tract infections can extend to sinuses, leading to sinusitis.
Dental infections: Infections affecting the teeth and gum can spread to nearby sinuses, causing sinusitis.
Sinusitis Risk Factors
Some people are at a greater risk of developing sinusitis as compared to others. These risk factors include:
Age: Younger children and older adults are more prone to sinusitis.
Asthma: Sinusitis and asthma often coexist, and one condition can exacerbate the other.
Chronic rhinitis: Persistent inflammation in the nasal passages increases the risk of sinusitis.
Cystic fibrosis: An individual with cystic fibrosis can increase the risk of developing sinusitis.
Smoking: Tobacco irritates the nasal passages and increases the risk of sinusitis.
Recent respiratory infections: Recent bouts of respiratory infections predispose individuals to sinusitis.
Climate and environment: Dryness in the air or air pollution can contribute to a greater risk of sinusitis.
Sinusitis Diagnosis
Sinusitis can be diagnosed based on a person’s medical history and symptoms. Sinusitis diagnosis involves a combination of physical and medical history evaluation and additional diagnostic tests, if necessary. The key steps in the diagnosis of sinusitis include:
Medical history: This involves the detailed review of a person’s health history. A doctor may also ask questions about previous allergies or respiratory conditions.
Physical examination: A doctor may conduct a detailed examination of the nose, throat and parts of the face to assess swelling, tenderness and other abnormalities in the sinuses and nasal passage.
Endoscopy: An endoscopy helps inspect the nasal passages and sinuses thoroughly. This allows for an in-depth analysis of sinus tissues.
Imaging tests: In some cases, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT-scans and MRI scans help identify signs of infection or structural abnormalities.
Nasal and sinus cultures: If the doctor suspects a bacterial or fungal infection, nasal and sinus cultures help detect specific infection-causing agents and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Allergy testing: If sinusitis is suspected to be caused by allergic reactions, a doctor may recommend an allergy test. Recognising and managing allergy triggers can help prevent recurrent sinusitis.
Blood tests: Blood tests help assess overall health and rule out systemic conditions.
Sinusitis Treatment
There are many treatment approaches for sinusitis, depending on the symptoms and how long a person has had sinusitis.
Acute Sinusitis
Sinusitis can be treated at home with:
If symptoms of sinusitis do not improve after ten days, a healthcare provider may prescribe:
Point to remember: Avoid using non-prescription nasal sprays or drops for over three to five days as they can worsen the congestion.
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis treatment focuses on the underlying condition and may include:
Intranasal steroid sprays
Topical antihistamine sprays
Leukotriene antagonists (prevents breathing problems associated with conditions like allergies or asthma)
Surgery to treat structural issues, such as fungal infections and polyps.
FAQs
How long can sinusitis last?
For a person with acute sinusitis, the symptoms typically go away within a time span of a week or ten days, but for some people the symptoms can last for up to 4 weeks. Chronic sinusitis symptoms, contrastingly, last for about twelve weeks or more.
Do you need antibiotics for sinus infection?
Antibiotics are not required for many sinus infections, as a majority of sinus infections get better on their own.
Do sinus infections commonly cause headaches?
Yes, sinusitis often causes headaches. The inflammation and congestion in the sinuses can lead to pain in the head.
Can sinus infections be cured?
In a majority of cases, sinusitis clears up on its own. In fact, the symptoms of sinusitis can also be managed with easily available over-the-counter medications. However, it is important to consult a doctor if the symptoms don’t clear up on their own and recur.
Article By Dr. Shashidhar TB
Head - Surgery (ENT)
Artemis Hospitals
