Sinusitis. This disease is chronic. If not treated on point

If you experience symptoms such as persistent nasal congestion, facial pain, or if the infection spreads and causes ear pain, it is advisable to suspect the presence of "acute sinusitis" and seek medical attention.

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What is sinus?

Sinus refers to the air-filled cavities located around the nasal passages. They exist on both the left and right sides and are divided into four pairs in different areas as follows:

1. Ethmoid sinus: Located between the eyes (one pair).
2. Maxillary sinus: Located in the cheeks (one pair).
3. Frontal sinus: Located in the forehead (one pair).
4. Sphenoid sinus: Located at the back of the nasal cavity and beneath the base of the skull or the base of the brain (one pair).

Normally, sinuses have a natural mechanism to drain and eliminate various substances through the nasal passages. However, if the drainage becomes blocked and unable to clear or remove pathogens, it can lead to a condition called sinusitis. When sinusitis occurs, there may be the accumulation of pus, which can affect the respiratory system, sense of smell, and result in various symptoms.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

When sinusitis occurs, individuals often experience severe, throbbing pain around the eyes, forehead, cheeks, or areas surrounding the nose. Some people may feel similar to toothache or pain in the upper jaw. The pain may worsen in the morning or afternoon, when bending the head forward or changing positions. Other symptoms may include headache, stuffy or reduced sense of smell, speaking with a nasal sound, thick yellow or green nasal discharge, sore throat, yellow or green phlegm in the throat, and foul-smelling breath. In acute cases of sinusitis, fever is often present.

Since the sinuses are located near the eyes and brain, some individuals may develop severe complications, such as pus flowing into the eyes, causing vision disturbances, double vision, or even blindness. Pus from the sinuses can also spread to the brain, leading to disabilities or even death later on.

Factors that contribute to sinusitis:

1. The chance of developing sinusitis after having a cold is around 0.5-5% in the general population. Statistics show that about 1 in 8 individuals will experience sinusitis at some point in their lives.
2. Individuals with nasal allergies are often found to have sinusitis, with a frequency of around 50-70%.
   People with abnormal nasal structure, such as deviated nasal septum, are prone to sinusitis.
3. Smokers or those exposed to a smoking environment regularly.
4. Individuals residing in areas with high air pollution.

Treatment of acute sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is a sudden condition.

Treatment usually involves medication, particularly the use of antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection. It typically requires a course of medication for 7-14 days. The doctor often collects a sample of nasal discharge for examination to determine the specific type of bacteria and the appropriate antibiotic to use.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce inflammation and facilitate the drainage of mucus from the sinus cavities. This can be in the form of oral medication or nasal sprays that contain specific steroids targeting the affected area. These medications can effectively reduce inflammation, and newer nasal sprays are safe and have no side effects. However, research published in the Cochrane Review suggests that steroid sprays are most effective when they can reach the sinuses effectively.

Chronic sinusitis

Treatment for chronic sinusitis often involves a combination of medication and surgical interventions. Surgical approaches may include conventional surgery or the use of balloon sinuplasty. In the earlier stages, surgeries primarily focus on draining the sinus cavities, while later-stage surgeries aim to address blockages and restore normal sinus drainage. The latter approach reduces the chances of recurrence.

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