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The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind the forehead and cheekbones. There are four pairs of sinuses. Sphenoidal sinuses are located deep in the skulls, behind your eyes. Frontal sinuses are in the forehead. Ethmoidal sinuses are located behind the bridge of the nose, between your eyes. Maxillary sinuses are in both cheeks.
The sinuses produce secretion or mucus that traps germs while retaining the inner moisture. Bacteria can grow and cause an infection known as bacterial sinusitis when the sinuses get filled. The maxillary sinus is most commonly affected.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nasal sinuses. The mucus generated by your sinuses generally drains into your nose via small channels. In sinusitis, the sinus linings are inflamed and cause the channels to become blocked.
Sinusitis is commonly caused by a viral infection that spreads to the sinuses causing blockage of the narrow sinuses.
Bacterial sinusitis is much less prevalent, occurring in about 0.5% to 2% of cases, and is usually a complication of viral sinusitis.
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
Sinusitis in children can cause irritability, mouth breathing, and feeding difficulties. Their speech may sound nasal (similar to a blocked nose). Usually, symptoms begin to improve after 7 to 10 days.
Sinusitis can generally be classified into three types. These are:
For recurrent acute sinusitis, there are 2 to 4 episodes happening in a year with at least 8 weeks between episodes.
Several factors increase the risk of developing a sinus infection which includes:
Viral sinusitis is contagious and can spread from one person to another when the infected individual coughs or sneezes.
Initially, it is difficult to determine if a sinus infection is viral or bacterial. Studies indicate that the duration of symptoms is not always sufficient to differentiate between viral and bacterial sinusitis, even if they last longer than 7 to 10 days.
It may be bacterial sinusitis if symptoms last longer than 10 days or worsen again within the first week ("double worsening").
Your doctor would first question your general health and symptoms and conduct a thorough physical examination. Sinusitis can usually be diagnosed based on symptoms and examination of the nose.
Some of the other methods of diagnosis include:
The primary treatment for sinusitis is symptom relief, as antibiotics are only required in a small percentage of people. Sinusitis often improves without antibiotics as it is usually caused by a virus.
The following are some of the treatment options for sinusitis:
If your symptoms worsen, your doctor may start you on antibiotic treatment. The commonly prescribed antibiotic is amoxicillin.
In some instances, if a patient is not responding to medications, surgery may be recommended. A surgical procedure known as Functional Endoscopic Sinus (FESS) is done to improve the drainage of mucous from your sinuses.
If your symptoms are mild, you can try some of the following home remedies to help you feel better.
Following are some recommended preventive measures to avoid getting sinusitis:
Prevention is always better than cure. Sinusitis may not be a very serious medical condition, but it can still cause considerable pain and irritation to you. Therefore, it is always best to take good care of your health and lead a healthy lifestyle to avoid getting sick.
Get in touch with us to book an appointment with Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialists at Gleneagles Hospitals today. We assure you the best possible care tailored to your specific needs.
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