How to treat sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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The treatment of sinusitis is mainly divided into two major categories. The first category is conservative treatment, and the second category is surgical treatment. Most patients consider conservative treatment because it can effectively control the condition and alleviate inflammation, and the overall effect is relatively good. In terms of medication, oral medications are primarily considered, commonly involving the use of antibiotics combined with nasal sprays and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Additionally, physiological saline or seawater can be considered for nasal irrigation. Generally, the treatment period is about one to two weeks or more, and regular follow-ups are required. If it is fungal sinusitis, or if the effect of drug treatment for chronic sinusitis is not satisfactory, surgery may be considered. The surgery mainly involves minimally invasive sinus surgery under nasal endoscopy, which generally causes less damage and is quite effective.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is hot compress useful for sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. Hot compresses do not have a clear therapeutic effect on the condition itself, but they may help relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and runny nose. Patients with sinusitis should visit an otolaryngology clinic after the onset of symptoms for examinations such as nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans to assess the severity of the disease. Most patients need to consider treatment with oral medications and nasal sprays. During the treatment process, it is necessary to have regular follow-ups to observe the effectiveness of the treatment. If the results of standardized medication treatment are not satisfactory and the clinical symptoms are severe, then surgical treatment should be considered. After surgery, regular follow-up visits are also necessary to monitor for any recurrence.

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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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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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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How to check for sinusitis?

The examination for sinusitis is mainly divided into three major categories. The first category is visual inspection. The second is endoscopic examination, and the third is radiologic examination. Visual inspection mainly involves directly observing with the naked eye the mucosa inside the nasal cavity, the inferior turbinate, and assessing the presence of thick nasal mucus. For some patients, a basic diagnosis can be made through visual inspection alone. However, for other patients whose conditions are not very clear, it becomes necessary to use endoscopic examinations, such as nasal endoscopy or fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, to visually inspect the interior of the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx for any abnormalities. If the inflammation is severe and conservative medical treatment is ineffective, it may also be necessary to consider a CT scan of the sinuses to make a clearer and more accurate diagnosis.