Sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is the swelling (inflammation) of the sinuses.

Sinuses are the empty spaces present within the bones of your face and head. These spaces are normally filled with air with a purpose to make your head lighter on the shoulders.

How do you get sinusitis?

Sinuses are lined by a thin mucus membrane similar to your nose. Normally they remain dry. They secrete a liquid material called mucus that traps the dust and other particles from entering the airway. Normally, the mucus enters the nose from small holes that open into your nose.

In case of allergy or infection this mucus membrane gets inflamed blocking these openings. This in turn fills the sinuses with mucus which promotes infection causing pain and other symptoms. Usually, the infection is caused by a virus and less commonly by a bacteria or a fungus.

When to see a doctor in sinusitis?

Mostly the acute cases don’t need medical treatment and the swelling tends to go on its own.

However, if you have chronic sinusitis or some alarming signs you need medical help.

Alarming signs

Consider consulting a doctor for the following:

• Symptoms getting worse with time.

• Symptoms not reducing even after 10 days.

• Recurring sinusitis- symptoms recurring with normal period in between.

• Severe symptoms or symptoms affecting day to day activities.

• Severe headache,or facial pain.

• Fever lasting for more than 3-4 days.

• Mucus discharge having yellow colour and a creamy(pus like) consistency or bloody discharge, instead of green.

What are the methods to diagnose this condition?

Doctor can usually identify sinusitis on the basis of the signs and symptoms. However,he might ask you to undergo a few tests- to confirm the diagnosis, know its extent and plana treatment.

When you visit the doctor, you may expect to undergo the following things.

What are the home remedies?

Acute sinusitis can be taken care of at home and usually starts fading away in a couple of days, without the use of any prescription medicine.

Some of the steps that might help reduce the congestion and stuffiness from sinusitis are mentioned below.

How is sinusitis treated by a doctor?

Depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic, what is causing the sinusitis and if there are any underlying issues present, as confirmed from the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe medication or no treatment at all.

Acute sinusitis tends to heal by itself at home and rarely requires medical treatment. Chronic sinusitis on the other hand is long lasting and requires intervention to reduce the effect.

What are the complications of sinusitis?

Differentiating acute from chronic sinusitis might not be possible right away, but is important that the condition be diagnosed, if you have the slightest doubt.

Neglecting sinusitis can complicate the situation and lead to other conditions, namely:

• Bone infections like osteomyelitis.

• Painful pus filled lump called abscess.

• Infection of the meninges which covers the brain and spinal cord called meningitis.

• Inflammation in the eye tissue due to spread of infection in the eye socket, called orbital cellulitis.

These conditions can have serious outcomes leading to loss of eye sight, if neglected and left unattended.

It is therefore important to take care of oneself and visit a doctor if chronic symptoms tend to persist for a long duration of time.

Be patient and observant if you or anyone you know might be experiencing sinusitis, especially when it comes to young children.

Support and help relieve their symptoms of sinusitis, but also stay vigilant and confront a specialist if needed.