SINUSITIS

Sinusitis or rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, the paired air filled spaces in the nasal cavity, resulting in symptoms. The typical symptoms are thick nasal mucus, a plugged nose, and pain in the face, fever, headaches, poor sense of smell, sore throat, and cough. Acute sinusitis can last upto than 1 month, and as chronic sinusitis can lasts for more than 3 months.

The common causes of sinusitis are infection (viral or bacterial), allergies, air pollution, or structural problems in the nose. People with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and poor immune function can have recurrent episodes of sinusitis. Smoking can make the symptoms worse.

Diagnosis involves mainly physical examination while X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scan can be used if complications are suspected.

Acute sinusitis can go away without treatment in 7 to 10 days. Else antibiotics can be prescribed. Pain killers such as naproxen, nasal steroids, and nasal irrigation can provide some relief with symptoms. Surgery may be occasionally recommended in people with chronic sinusitis, depending on the severity of the symptoms.