Sinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the tissues lining the nose and sinuses. The symptoms mainly range from headaches, commonly forehead, to facial pain (pain around the eyes, upper teeth, etc.). Along with this, sinusitis may also be accompanied by nasal stuffiness, yellow-green nasal discharge, low-grade fever or bad breath, and post-nasal drip (feeling of mucus trickling down the throat). Considering that the symptoms are very similar to those of the common cold, at times it becomes difficult to differentiate sinusitis from the common cold and allergies.
Instead of visiting a doctor, people often try to treat themselves with homemade remedies or over-the-counter medications. It is important for them to understand that sinusitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, or fungus. Bacterial sinusitis requires specialist intervention for getting a proper diagnosis and receiving comprehensive antibiotic treatment.
In a case where a person is down with persistent cold or is experiencing headaches, especially pain in the generalized area of the head and neck, can also be indicative of sinusitis. The pain can be characterized by a ‘tight band’ around the head. It can be further exacerbated by stress, eye strain, bad posture, alcohol, smoke, and the pre- menstrual cycle in females.
If left unattended, sinuses infections lasting for more than three months can potentially become chronic. To address this issue, seeking treatment focusing on clearing the disease can aid in eradicating the infection. Additionally, making use of decongestants in form of local nasal steroids can help in improving the drainage and ensuring optimal ventilation of the sinuses. A doctor will be able to alleviate the condition by using drugs to thin out mucus, enabling it to drain out freely through the openings of the sinuses. They recommend plenty of fluids at the same time to ease the process. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the sinusitis, and period of chronicity surgical intervention may be needed in order to remove obstruction that assist free drainage and ventilation of the sinuses. The doctors prefer endoscopic sinus surgery to treat sinuses with minimal invasion.
However, people can avoid sinusitis with the guidance of a specialist by maintaining a good hygiene along with proper hydration and diet to keep the defenses of the body in good shape.
Dr Sanjay Sachdeva is a senior ENT consultant at HearClear India.