Chronic sinusitis: symptoms, causes, and treatment

Definition

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the cavity around the nasal passages (sinuses) is constantly inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks, despite treatment.

This condition, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis, can cause mucus to build up in the airways. Finally, the sufferer will have difficulty breathing through the nose. The area around the eyes and face is swollen and there is pain in several parts of the face.

Chronic sinusitis can result from infection, growth of tissue inside the sinuses (nasal polyps) or a bent nasal septum. This condition most commonly affects adults, but some cases of sinusitis are also found in children.

How common is this condition?

Chronic sinusitis is a condition that can occur in patients of any age group. However, sinusitis can affect patients who already had respiratory and nasal problems before the disease appeared.

In addition, people with compromised immune systems have a greater chance of developing this disease. This case is also often found in people who are exposed to pollution, such as cigarette smoke.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis?

You may not realize at first that you have sinusitis. The reason is, the most common symptoms of this condition are a runny nose or stuffy nose.

However, there are some additional symptoms that differentiate sinusitis from the common cold. Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, several other symptoms and signs that generally occur in chronic sinusitis, namely:

Thick, colored discharge from the nose
The presence of fluid flowing from the back of the throat (postnasal drip)
Nasal obstruction, causing difficulty breathing through the nose
Pain, sensitivity and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
Reduced sense of smell and taste in adults or coughing in children

Other signs and symptoms can include:

Ear pain
Pain in the maxilla and teeth
Cough that gets worse at night
Sore throat
Bad breath (halitosis)
Fatigue or irritability
Nausea

Chronic and acute sinusitis generally have similar signs and symptoms. However, acute sinusitis is an infection that is temporary and is often associated with fever.

The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis also last longer than the acute type. Generally, chronic sinusitis is characterized by the appearance of excessive fatigue. Meanwhile, acute sinusitis is characterized by fever.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

You've had sinusitis a few times, and the symptoms don't get better even after you've been treated.
You have sinusitis symptoms that last more than 7 days.
Symptoms do not improve after you see your doctor.

See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms, which could indicate a serious infection:

High fever
Swelling or redness around the eyes
Serious headaches
Dazed
Blurred vision or other vision changes
Stiff neck

Cause

What causes this condition?

Chronic sinusitis is a disease that can be triggered by several things. The following conditions can trigger or worsen your sinusitis:

1. Nasal polyps

The growth of tissue on the inside of the nose can cause blockage of the nasal passages or sinuses.

2. A bent nasal septum

The septum is the wall between the two nostrils. If the septum is bent, it can block the sinus passages.

3. Other medical conditions

Nasal congestion can be a complication of cystic fibrosis, acid reflux disease, HIV, and other immune system diseases.

4. Respiratory tract infections

Infections that occur in the respiratory tract, especially colds, can make the sinus membranes become inflamed and thickened. This condition can block the flow of mucus in the nose. Infections are usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

5. Allergies like hay fever

Inflammation that occurs in the nose can also be caused by an allergic reaction in the body.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for chronic sinusitis?

There are many risk factors for chronic sinusitis, including:

Nasal tract disorders, such as nasal septal deviation or nasal polyps
Asthma, which is closely related to the appearance of chronic sinusitis
Sensitivity to aspirin that causes breathing problems
Immune system disorders, such as HIV / AIDS or cystic fibrosis
Hay fever or other allergic conditions that can affect the appearance of your sinuses
Regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

Complications

What are the complications caused by chronic sinusitis?

Although it is very rare, chronic sinusitis that does not get medical attention immediately will lead to other health complications, such as:

1. Vision problems

It is possible that a sinus infection could spread to the surroundings of your eye. This can affect vision, even potentially resulting in permanent blindness.

2. Infection

In rare cases, some people with chronic sinusitis experience inflammation of the lining of the brain, the fluid that surrounds the brain, and the spinal cord. There is also the potential for infection of the bones and skin.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is chronic sinusitis diagnosed?

When the diagnosis is made, the doctor will first look at the inside of the nose and check the nose and face for sensitivity.

After that, the doctor will perform additional tests to diagnose chronic sinusitis. These tests include:

1. Nasal endoscopy

A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with fiber optic light is inserted through the nose to help the doctor see the inside of the sinuses. This procedure is also called a rhinoscopy.

2. Take a picture test

Images taken with a CT scan or MRI can show in detail the sinuses and nasal area. This procedure can show deep inflammation or physical blockage that is difficult to detect with an endoscopy.

3. Nose and sinus culture

Culture is generally not needed to diagnose chronic sinusitis. However, if the disease does not respond to treatment or gets worse, tissue culture can help determine the cause of the infection, such as bacteria or fungi.

4. Allergy test

If the doctor suspects that the condition is triggered by allergies, the doctor may recommend a skin allergy test. Skin tests are safe and fast and can show allergens that play a role in nasal inflammation.

How is chronic sinusitis treated?

The goals of chronic sinusitis treatment are to:

Reduces sinus inflammation
Prevents the nasal passages from continuously releasing fluids
Overcoming the causes of sinusitis
Reducing the frequency of sinusitis recurrences

Treatments to relieve symptoms include:

1. Saline nasal irrigation

One of the ways doctors use to reduce discharge and rinse the irritated area is by spraying nasal spray.

2. Nasal corticosteroids

Several types nasal spray with corticosteroids can help treat inflammation, such as fluticasone (Flonase, Veramyst), triamcinolone (Nasacort 24), budesonide (Rhinocort), mometasone (Nasonex), and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ, Qnasl, etc.).

If spray deemed less effective, the doctor will recommend saline solution combined with budenisone (Pulmicort Respules).

3. Oral or injectable corticosteroids

Corticosteroids also exist in the form of injections and oral medications. This medication is usually used to relieve inflammation from severe sinusitis, especially if you have nasal polyps.

However, oral corticosteroids can cause serious side effects if used long-term. Therefore, oral corticosteroids should only be used to treat severe symptoms.

4. Aspirin desensitization treatment

This treatment is done if you have a reaction to aspirin. Under medical supervision, you will be given a gradual dose of aspirin to increase tolerance.

5. Antibiotics

Reporting from Web MD, antibiotics are also sometimes needed if you have a bacterial infection. If the doctor is unable to treat the infection, the doctor may recommend antibiotics in combination with other medicines.

6. Allergy shots

If allergies affect sinusitis, the doctor will give allergy shots or immunotherapy. These injections can reduce the body's reaction to certain allergens that can worsen sinusitis symptoms.

7. Endoscopic sinus surgery

If your condition does not improve after treatment or medication, endoscopic sinus surgery may be an option. In this procedure, your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light to check your sinus passages.

Depending on the source of the obstruction, your doctor may use a variety of tools to remove the tissue or polyps causing nasal obstruction. An alternative is to enlarge the narrow sinus cavity.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat chronic sinusitis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat chronic sinusitis:

1. Take a break

Getting enough rest can help your body fight inflammation and speed up recovery.

2. Meet the needs of body fluids

Drink lots of water and fruit juices. This can help improve the flow of mucus in the nose. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.

In addition to worsening inflammation of the lining of the sinuses and nose, alcohol and caffeine consumption can also cause dehydration.

3. Moisten the sinus cavities

You can make your sinus cavities more moist by steaming them. The trick, prepare a container filled with hot or warm water. You can sit facing the container and make sure the steam is on your face.

You can also take a shower with warm water. Inhaling warm, humid air can help reduce pain and drain mucus.

4. Warm compress on the face

Another way you can try is to put a warm compress on your face. Use a warm, semi-wet towel around the nose, cheeks, and eyes to relieve facial pain.

5. Wet the nasal passages

You can rinse the nasal passages using a specially designed bottle, such as Sinus Rinse, or a saline canister. Home care which is also known as nasal lavage this can help empty your sinus cavities of mucus.

If you want to make your own sinus cleaner, use water that has been sterilized, distilled, or boiled. Make sure to rinse the filter kit thoroughly, then dry it.