What is sinusitis?

Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, divided into two types: one with nasal polyps, known as chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, and one without nasal polyps, known as chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps. If it is chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, functional endoscopic sinus surgery should be performed to remove the swellings, open the ethmoid sinuses, and treat with medication. If it is chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps, clinically, antibiotics and anti-allergy medications can be used, along with some topical corticosteroids. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, and drink plenty of water. The treatment duration for chronic sinusitis should be at least three months, and care should be taken to avoid colds, staying up late, and overheating. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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How to alleviate sinusitis?

The acute phase of sinusitis largely depends on the extent of the inflammation. If the inflammation is mild and the symptoms are atypical or slight, saline nasal irrigation can be considered. If the inflammatory reaction is severe and accompanied by clear symptoms like nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and dizziness, then medical treatment should be considered. Generally, the treatment consists primarily of oral antibiotics, along with traditional Chinese medicines and mucolytics, supplemented with nasal sprays. Regular follow-ups are advised, and the treatment period usually ranges from one to two weeks. If standardized medication does not work, or in the case of fungal sinusitis, surgery may be necessary.

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Is sinusitis serious?

Sinusitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease and generally is not very severe. The main clinical symptoms include nasal congestion with thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. After onset, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology department for a sinus CT scan to help determine the extent of the lesion. If the inflammatory response is localized and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative medical treatment can be considered. Common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays. During treatment, regular follow-ups are needed to observe the effects. If the inflammatory response is severe and conservative medical treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment may need to be considered.

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What is acute sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is an acute inflammatory response of the sinuses caused by a sudden bacterial infection. Clinically, the most common sites of lesion are the maxillary sinuses and ethmoid sinuses, though some patients may also experience inflammation in the frontal sinuses or sphenoid sinuses. The main symptoms include sudden nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, it may also affect vision or cause fever and a feeling of heaviness in the head. Overall, it is considered to be an acute inflammatory response, primarily treated clinically with antibiotics to counter the infection, along with the use of nasal sprays and nasal irrigation, typically with saline solution. Regular follow-up checks are required, and the recovery period generally lasts about one to two weeks. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)

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Is sinusitis the same as rhinitis?

There are differences between rhinitis and sinusitis. Rhinitis is mainly the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, while sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavity mucosa. The main clinical symptoms of rhinitis are nasal congestion and a runny nose. This runny nose is mostly mucous or watery, which is typically seen in allergic rhinitis. The runny nose in sinusitis, on the other hand, is often a thick yellow discharge caused by a bacterial infection, so there is a distinction between the two. Patients with sinusitis often have rhinitis, but those with rhinitis do not necessarily have sinusitis. Rhinitis is primarily treated with medications and rarely with surgery. For sinusitis, treatment also begins with medications; however, if the response to medical therapy is poor or the condition is severe, surgery is often considered. The likelihood of undergoing surgical intervention is generally higher for sinusitis than for rhinitis.

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Symptoms of recurrent sinusitis

The symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are essentially the same as those of sinusitis itself. Symptoms can be divided into local symptoms, which are those of the nasal cavity, as well as some systemic symptoms, because the recurrence of sinusitis often follows a cold that leads to an acute recurrence. The nasal symptoms mainly include nasal discharge, primarily consisting of yellow pus-like mucus. There may also be nasal congestion or a sensation of the nose being blocked, as well as headaches. The location and severity of the headache depend on which sinus is more severely inflamed, which also affects where the headache is felt. Additionally, there may be a disturbance in the sense of smell, which refers to a reduced sensitivity to smells, or a reduced ability to smell or weak sense of smell. Systemic symptoms mainly include lethargy, feelings of headache and weakness, lack of concentration, and a general lack of energy. Overall, the symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are similar to those of initial sinusitis, with most being the same.