Is sinusitis the same as rhinitis?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What is the best treatment for sinusitis?

The treatment of sinusitis is currently divided into two main categories: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. The specific choice of treatment mainly depends on the severity and type of sinusitis. For fungal sinusitis, conservative treatment generally does not yield good results. If the patient's condition permits and their physical health can tolerate surgery, it is generally recommended to perform sinus opening surgery under endoscopy. For bacterial sinusitis with mild inflammation, unclear symptoms, or relatively mild symptoms, conservative drug treatment can be considered. This usually involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and saline nasal irrigation can also be considered. If the inflammatory response is more severe and the symptoms are typical, and conservative treatment is ineffective, sinus opening surgery should be considered. Currently, minimally invasive surgery under endoscopy is employed, which generally yields precise results, causes less damage, and allows for a quicker recovery.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can sinusitis be cured completely?

Sinusitis can be completely cured. Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is a condition caused by bacterial infection due to weakened immunity and resistance. Typically, patients may experience sudden high fever with a body temperature above 38°C, dryness and pain in the nasal cavity, and yellow discharge might be present in the nose. Examination can reveal congestion and significant edema of the bilateral middle and inferior turbinates, and abnormal secretions may be found in the middle meatus or common nasal passage. In terms of treatment, since it is a bacterial infection, patients can orally take cephalosporin or penicillin antibiotics, which are effective. Additionally, nasal irrigation with saline solution is necessary. If conservative treatment fails, patients may need to undergo endoscopic sinus surgery and sinus mucosa cleaning to achieve complete recovery. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of sinusitis recovery

Sinusitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. If sinusitis is cured after treatment, clinically it means that the symptoms have subsided; there is no nasal congestion, no purulent nasal discharge, normal sense of smell, and no headache, dizziness, or blood in the nasal discharge. However, individual differences in treatment outcomes do exist. During the treatment process, regular follow-up visits are necessary to observe the recovery status of the condition. Additionally, combining nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, and sinus CT scans with the doctor's clinical experience can help determine whether the sinusitis has healed. However, some patients may experience a recurrence of symptoms after treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How should sinusitis be treated?

Sinusitis is caused by acute inflammatory infections, mainly hemolytic streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens enter the sinuses through the sinus openings due to the patient catching a cold or having a flu, leading to congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and exudation in the sinus mucosa. Symptoms include persistent nasal congestion, discharge of yellow secretions from the nasal cavity accompanied by a foul smell, and severe cases may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase, patients need to first undergo symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, taking oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins, which are very effective. Additionally, physiological saline is used for nasal and sinus irrigation. If conservative treatment is ineffective, patients may require endoscopic sinus surgery and sinus mucosa clearance for recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of acute sinusitis?

The symptoms of acute sinusitis are quite varied, with the most common ones being nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, and dizziness. In severe cases, it may also cause facial swelling and numbness, but individual differences exist. Some patients may exhibit one or two of these symptoms, while others may have various additional symptoms, considering them comprehensively. Generally, it is primarily due to acute bacterial infection, and the main treatment is antibiotics to fight the infection. In addition, consideration can be given to combining traditional Chinese medicine and mucolytic agents for adjunctive treatment. Persistently rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution can also help in the recovery of the condition. Generally, the treatment period requires about one to two weeks and needs regular follow-up to monitor for any recurrence. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)