Sinusitis

Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks, despite treatment attempts.

Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include:

• The common cold
• Allergic rhinitis, which is swelling of the lining of the nose
• Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps
• A deviated septum, which is a shift in the nasal cavity

Sinusitis symptoms

• Thick, discolored discharge from the nose or drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage)
• Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
• Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
• Reduced sense of smell and taste in adults or cough in children

Sinusitis causes

• Nasal polyps
• Deviated nasal septum
• Respiratory tract infection
• Allergies

How to  diagnose sinusitis?

To diagnose the sinusitis, the otolaryngologist head & neck surgeon performs nasal endoscopy. A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with a fiber-optic light inserted through your nose allows your doctor to see the inside of your sinuses. This also is known as rhinoscopy.

Images taken using a CT scan or MRI can show details of your sinuses and nasal area. These might pinpoint a deep inflammation or physical obstruction that’s difficult to detect using an endoscope.

Sinusitis treatment

The goal of treating chronic sinusitis is to:

• Reduce sinus inflammation
• Keep your nasal passages draining
• Eliminate the underlying cause
• Reduce the number of sinusitis flare-ups

Surgery

In cases resistant to treatment or medication, endoscopic sinus surgery might be an option. For this procedure, the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with an attached light (endoscope) to explore your sinus passages.

Depending on the source of obstruction, the doctor might use various instruments to remove tissue or shave away a polyp that’s causing nasal blockage. Enlarging a narrow sinus opening also may be an option to promote drainage.

Warm, moist air may help if you have chronic sinusitis. You can use a vaporizer, or you can inhale steam from a pan of warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot.

Antibiotics are sometimes necessary for sinusitis if you have a bacterial infection. If your doctor can’t rule out an underlying infection, he or she might recommend an antibiotic, sometimes with other medications.