How to identify and treat sinusitis: Expert advice

Sinusitis, commonly referred to as a sinus infection, is infact inflammation of the sinuses that affects the natural drainage of the sinuses, and causes discomfort, pain, headaches and a general negative impact on quality of life. 

Miss Natasha Choudhury, adult and paediatric ENT consultant, provides an expert insight into sinusitis, including its symptoms, causes, and the various treatment options available to manage it.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, which are air-filled cavities located over the cheeks and between the eyes, and across the forehead. The sinuses produce mucus, which normally drains through the nose. However, when the sinuses become inflamed and blocked, they can block the natural drainage of the sinuses and potentially become infected.

Sinusitis can be classified into different types based on the duration of symptoms:

• Acute sinusitis: Lasts up to 4 weeks and is often caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold.
• Chronic sinusitis: Lasts 12 weeks or longer and can recur frequently. This type is often associated with chronic inflammation and maybe associated with structural issues within the nose, including polyps.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Common signs and symptoms include:

• nasal congestion and blockage
• nasal discharge with sometimes yellow or green mucus
• pain and pressure in the face
• headaches
• reduced sense of smell

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they persist, it is important to seek medical advice and maybe consult with an ENT specialist.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Your ENT specialist will first ask about your symptoms, their duration, and any previous medical history of sinus infections or allergies. They will also inquire about factors that may contribute to sinusitis, such as smoking or exposure to pollutants.

The ENT specialist will then perform a physical examination and examine your nasal passages with a camera examination (endoscopy) for signs of inflammation, mucus, blockage or discharge.

If the diagnosis is unclear or if your sinus symptoms have not responded to medical treatment, or if there are any suspected complications, imaging with a CT scan will be arranged. This will provide detailed images of the sinuses, helping in the identification of which sinuses might be blocked, and also show signs of polyps, mucus or infection from the sinuses.

What treatments are available for sinusitis?

Over-the-counter remedies and decongestants can temporarily alleviate nasal congestion by reducing the swelling inside the nose. However, they should be used cautiously. Nasal corticosteroid sprays provide a more sustained effect in reducing inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, making them effective for treating sinusitis.

In cases of chronic sinusitis that do not respond to these medical treatments, surgery may be considered, with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed using an endoscope, all through the inside of the nose. The surgery is typically a day-case procedure, and aims at removing infected tissue, nasal polyps, or bony structural abnormalities, with the aim of opening up the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses, to help improve their drainage.

If you would like to book an appointment with Miss Natasha Choudhury, head on over to her Top Doctors profile today.