How to treat sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 27, 2024
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The treatment for sinusitis primarily involves conservative medication, as well as surgical procedures. Generally, conservative medical treatment is the standard first-line method. In terms of treatment methods, antibacterial therapy is mainly used, along with the oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine preparations, and mucolytic agents, which help alleviate sinus inflammation and facilitate the discharge of secretions from the nasal and sinus cavities. Additionally, nasal irrigation with saline solution can be considered to further improve the condition. If standardized medical treatment is ineffective, or in cases of fungal sinusitis, we may consider conducting minimally invasive sinus surgery using nasal endoscopy. Overall, the outcomes of surgical treatment are usually quite good, but regular follow-up examinations are needed to check for any recurrence of the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to relieve headache from sinusitis?

Sinusitis is currently the general term for what was traditionally called accessory sinusitis. Accessory sinusitis can cause headaches, which is a clinical manifestation of sinusitis. The clinical treatment of headaches primarily targets the sinusitis itself. The causes of the headaches are twofold: one is the headache caused by the irritation of purulent secretions, and the other is the negative pressure headache caused by blockage of the sinus opening and the resultant intrasinus pressure. The treatment includes using medications that constrict the blood vessels in the mucous membranes and then clearing the sinus openings. Additionally, it is crucial to actively pursue anti-inflammatory and anti-infection treatments, primarily using macrolide antibiotics or cephalosporin antibiotics. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How long after sinusitis surgery should a follow-up be conducted?

Sinusitis, which we now generally refer to as sinusitis, is diagnosed based on specific examinations and surgical interventions are considered when indicated. After surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary, along with nasal cavity cleaning to prevent the recurrence of sinusitis. Typically, after discharging the surgical patient, we advise them to return to the clinic for a follow-up after a week. Subsequently, based on specific conditions during the follow-up, patients are instructed to return for further check-ups after two weeks, four weeks, eight weeks, and even up to three months. This process should continue for about half a year, during which regular clinic visits for follow-ups are necessary. During these visits, the doctor will assess the healing of the sinus cavity and schedule the next follow-up appointment accordingly.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How should sinusitis be treated?

The treatment of sinusitis should be based on the specific conditions of each patient, and different treatment plans can generally be divided into two categories. The first is conservative treatment. Conservative treatment mainly includes medication and some local nasal irrigation or puncture methods. This type of conservative treatment generally has good effects, and can relieve the pain and alleviate the symptoms of most patients with sinusitis. Apart from conservative treatment, The second method is surgical treatment. Surgical treatment now involves the reconstruction of nasal and sinus function under endoscopy. This type of surgical treatment can also be considered a minimally invasive and precise treatment plan. However, despite being minimally invasive and precise, it is still a surgery and does involve some trauma. Therefore, surgical treatment is only considered when conservative treatment is ineffective. Surgical treatment is just the beginning of a systematic approach to treating sinusitis. It can be understood this way: after the surgery, the follow-up medication treatment, which is a set of conservative treatment plans, and regular check-ups need to be promptly followed up. Reliance solely on surgical treatment may not achieve particularly ideal long-term effects.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are due to persistent inflammation following acute inflammatory stimuli or recurrent attacks, leading to nasal and systemic symptoms. Patients may experience facial swelling and pain, headaches, and nasal congestion, generally bilateral and progressively worsening. Additionally, there may be yellow purulent discharge from the nasal cavity, sometimes accompanied by an odor. The examination can reveal congested and edematous bilateral nasal turbinates and abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity. For treatment, patients initially need a sinus CT scan; if sinusitis is confirmed, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary, including oral antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, which are relatively effective. Saline nasal irrigation is also required. If conservative treatment fails, the patient may need endoscopic sinus surgery and partial resection of the bilateral inferior turbinates to recover.

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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.