What is sinusitis and what are its symptoms?

In short, we can say that sinusitis is actually an inflammation of the sinuses, which has several causes. Before going to the cause of sinusitis, it is not bad to get to know the sinuses and see which side of our body they are located. The sinuses are the cavities in our skull and normally they are filled with air.
If the air drainage path of the sinuses is blocked for any reason, this will lead to fluid accumulation in them. In such a situation, a very suitable environment is provided for the growth of bacteria in the sinuses and their inflammation. This stage is where the person is said to have sinusitis.
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
Upper respiratory tract infection is one of the most common causes of sinusitis in people. If you experience the following symptoms after catching a cold or flu, you most likely have sinusitis and it is better to be examined by a doctor:
- Green or yellowish discharge from the nose
- Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
- Decreased or lost sense of smell
- Pain around the cheeks, eyes and forehead
The diagnosis of sinusitis in children is a little different, and you should also pay attention to small symptoms; Symptoms such as mouth breathing, irritability and nasal congestion.
Types of sinusitis
Sinusitis disease is divided into 4 different types each of which requires a specific type of treatment:
Symptoms of acute sinusitis usually improve in less than 4 weeks; Of course, provided that the patient is under treatment during this period. If the patient’s treatment is not started after the symptoms appear, these symptoms may continue for more than 4 weeks. Antibiotics are often used to treat acute sinusitis.
If the common symptoms of sinusitis such as headache, nasal congestion, fatigue and loss of smell persist for at least 12 weeks, the patient’s sinusitis is classified in the chronic group. In most types of chronic sinusitis, the main cause of the problem is inflammation in the sinuses; No infection. According to this issue, for the treatment of chronic sinusitis, emphasis is placed on reducing inflammation and using steroids.
When the patient is involved with the symptoms of sinusitis for more than 4 weeks, he will be diagnosed with acute sinusitis. In this condition, the symptoms may last even up to 8 weeks and the initial treatments to eliminate the infection will not work. In most cases, the best way to treat acute sinusitis is to use a broad-spectrum antibiotic with an intranasal steroid.
Recurrent acute sinusitis
Recurrent acute sinusitis refers to cases where the patient experiences several episodes of acute sinusitis, and each time the symptoms of the disease last up to two weeks. This case is often associated with seasonal sensitivities, and for this reason, the physician focuses most on the treatment of sensitivities and reducing the possibility of the patient being exposed to stimulatory factors; Of course, in some cases, antibiotics may also be used.
What factors cause sinusitis?
There are several major factors that put you at risk of developing sinusitis:
- Respiratory tract infection caused by viruses such as the common cold virus, bacteria, or fungal infections.
- Nasal polyps that reverse airflow and increase the likelihood of acute sinusitis.
- The narrowness of the sinuses from birth, which leads to their easy blockage.
- Problems such as cystic fibrosis, HIV and gastric reflux that increase the possibility of acute sinusitis.
- Sensitivity to various stimuli that lead to inflammation of the sinuses and swelling in the nose.
- Deviation of the nasal septum, which narrows one of the nasal passages, makes you susceptible to sinusitis.
- Having an extra sinus is also one of the causes of sinusitis; Of course, according to the report medicspot Only one out of 10 people is born with this problem.
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