Sinus Surgery
Get Complete Relief From Sinusitis With Simplified Day Surgery By Our Experts
Acute sinusitis can be triggered by a cold or allergies and may resolve on its own.
A condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed.
Chronic sinusitis lasts up to eight weeks and may be caused by an infection or growth. The sinuses are small air pockets located behind your forehead, nose, cheekbones, and in between the eyes. The sinuses produce mucus, which is a thin and flowing liquid that protects the body by trapping and moving germs away. Sometimes, bacteria or allergens can cause too much mucus to form, which blocks the openings of your sinuses. Excess mucus is common if you have a cold or allergies.
This mucus buildup can become thick and encourage bacteria and other germs to build up in your sinus cavity, leading to a bacterial or viral infection. Most sinus infections are viral and go away in a week or two without treatment.
3 Types of Sinus Infections
Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis has the shortest duration. Seasonal allergies can also cause acute sinusitis.
Subacute Sinusitis
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis symptoms last for more than 3 months. Bacterial infection may be to blame in these cases.
Causes
Allergies
Blockage in the nasal passage
Swelling inside the nose
Common cold
Structural Differences
Nasal Polyps
Sinus inflammation due to certain medications
Infection of the nose
Deviated Nasal Septum
Passive smoking
Symptoms
Cough or congestion
Dental pain
Facial pain or pressure
Fatigue
Fever
Bad breath
If you experience loss of smell
Thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge
Diagnosis
✓ Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with a fiber-optic light inserted through your nose allows your doctor to visually inspect the inside of your sinuses.
✓ Imaging studies: A CT scan shows details of your sinuses and nasal area. It’s not usually recommended for uncomplicated acute sinusitis, but imaging studies might help find abnormalities or suspected complications.
✓ Nasal and sinus samples: Lab tests aren’t generally necessary for diagnosing acute sinusitis. However, when the condition fails to respond to treatment or is worsening, tissue samples (cultures) from your nose or sinuses might help find the cause, such as a bacterial infection.
✓ Allergy testing: If your doctor suspects that allergies have triggered your acute sinusitis, he or she will recommend an allergy skin test. A skin test is safe and quick and can help pinpoint the allergen that’s causing your nasal flare-ups.
Surgery
✓ Saline nasal spray: which you spray into your nose several times a day to rinse your nasal passages.
✓ Nasal corticosteroids: These nasal sprays help prevent and treat inflammation. Examples include fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief, Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief, others), budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), mometasone (Nasonex), and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ, Qnasl, others).
Antibiotics
Antibiotics usually aren’t needed to treat acute sinusitis, because it’s usually caused by a virus and not by bacteria. Even if your acute sinusitis is bacterial, it may clear up without treatment. Your doctor might wait and watch to see if your acute sinusitis worsens before prescribing antibiotics.
However, severe, progressive or persistent symptoms might require antibiotics. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, be sure to take the whole course, even after your symptoms get better. If you stop taking them early, your symptoms may recur.
Immunotherapy
