What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The symptoms of sinusitis vary significantly between individuals. In cases of mild inflammation, there may be no symptoms, and the condition might only be discovered during a physical examination or through a head or sinus CT scan. However, in some patients with more severe inflammatory reactions, clinical symptoms can occur. Common clinical symptoms include nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, as well as potential facial pain, numbness, and vertigo. Some individuals may also experience changes in vision or field of vision. Generally, sinusitis is a common disease. Usually, it can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and examination of the nasal cavity. Some patients may need to undergo a CT scan, and in severe cases, surgery might be considered necessary.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Should sinusitis use hot compress or cold compress?

Generally speaking, neither cold nor hot compresses are necessary for sinusitis, because sinusitis is mainly an acute or chronic bacterial infection of the sinuses. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and reduced sense of smell. Some people may also experience headaches and dizziness. The main treatment is still medication, and it is also possible to consider rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution, regular follow-ups, and if the inflammation is severe, sinus opening surgery may need to be considered, which currently mainly involves endoscopic sinus surgery. Overall, neither hot nor cold compresses have a therapeutic effect on sinusitis, so they are not recommended.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis can potentially cause fever, primarily seen in cases of acute sinusitis or acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis. Additionally, some cases are due to a systemic or localized inflammatory response caused by fungal sinusitis, leading to related changes in the condition. For fever, it is first necessary to check the body temperature. If the temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling methods are generally recommended. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretic medications should be considered. In cases of acute bacterial infections, timely antibiotic treatment for infection should be considered, along with using saline solution to wash the nasal cavity. If inflammation occurs repeatedly and conservative medication treatment is not effective, surgery may need to be considered.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of sinusitis in babies

Baby sinusitis is divided into acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis often occurs during the course of acute rhinitis, with worsened symptoms on the affected side, which can include chills, fever, general malaise, lack of energy, nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, localized pain, headache, reduced sense of smell, and decreased appetite. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis are relatively mild or not obvious, generally including dizziness, easy fatigue, listlessness, poor appetite, reduced memory, and lack of concentration.