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Sinusitis

Sinusitis Sinuses are air-filled cavities within your cheek bones, around your eyes and behind your nose. Their main job is to warm, moisten and filter air in your nasal cavity.

If your stuffy nose and cough last longer than 10-14 days or worsens after 7-10 days, you may have more than a cold. Rhinosinusitis, also known as sinusitis, is a swelling of one or more of your nasal sinuses and nasal passages.

You may experience pressure around your nose, eyes or forehead, a stuffy nose, thick, discolored nasal drainage, bad-tasting post-nasal drip, cough, head congestion, ear fullness or a headache. Symptoms may also include a toothache, tiredness and, occasionally, a fever.

By learning more about sinusitis, you will have a better understanding of your symptoms.

Types and Causes of Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis refers to sinusitis symptoms that last less than four weeks. Most acute sinusitis starts as a regular cold from the common cold viruses and then becomes a bacterial infection.

Chronic sinusitis is when symptoms last three months or longer. The cause of chronic sinusitis may be related to inflammation or infection. Chronic sinusitis comes in two types: with nasal polyps (benign growths in the nasal cavity) or without nasal polyps. Recurrent sinusitis occurs when three or more episodes of acute sinusitis happen in a year.

Allergic rhinitis may put you at risk for developing sinusitis because allergies can cause swelling of the sinuses and nasal mucous linings. This swelling prevents the sinus cavities from draining and increases your chances of developing bacterial sinusitis.

If you test positive for allergies, your allergist can prescribe appropriate medications to control your allergies, possibly reducing your risk of developing an infection. In rare cases, immune problems that harm your ability to fight common infections may present with chronic or recurrent sinusitis.

Problems with the structure of your nose – such as narrow drainage passages, tumors or a shifted nasal septum (the bone and cartilage that separate the right from the left nostrils) can also cause sinusitis. Surgery is sometimes needed to correct these problems. Many patients with recurring or chronic sinusitis have more than one factor that puts them at risk of inflammation or infection. So, an accurate diagnosis is essential.

Diagnosis
To diagnose sinusitis, an allergist will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination. He or she may also order tests. These tests can include allergy testing, sinus CT scans (which take exact images of the sinus cavities) or a sample of your nasal secretions or lining.

Your physician may also perform an endoscopic examination. This involves inserting a narrow, flexible endoscope (a device with a light and camera attached) into the nasal cavity through the nostrils after local anesthesia. This allows your physician to view the area where your sinuses drain into your nose in an easy, painless manner.

Treatment
Acute sinusitis due to a sinus infection generally requires a combination of therapies. Your physician may prescribe a medication to reduce blockage or control allergies, which helps keep the sinus passages open. This medicine may be a decongestant, a mucus-thinning medicine or a steroid nasal spray. If bacterial sinusitis is present, your physician may prescribe an antibiotic. For people with allergies, long-term treatment to control and reduce allergic symptoms can also help in preventing acute or recurrent sinusitis.

Several non-drug treatments can also be helpful. These include breathing in hot, moist air and washing the nasal cavities with salt water.

For chronic sinusitis, treatment options may include steroid nasal sprays, salt water rinses, antibiotics, oral steroids, or for those with nasal polyps, targeted therapies known as biologics to reduce inflammation.

If you need surgery to fix the structure of your nose or remove nasal polyps, your allergist may refer you to an otorhinolaryngologist, or an ear-nose-throat physician (ENT).

Sinusitis Versus Rhinitis
Symptoms of sinusitis and rhinitis are very similar. Rhinitis is a swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose while sinusitis includes swelling of the sinuses in addition to the nasal passages. For this reason, sinusitis is often called rhinosinusitis.

Rhinitis may be allergic or non-allergic. Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens in the air, which are usually harmless but can cause problems in allergic people. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis often are a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy eyes, nose, throat and ears. Non-allergic rhinitis may be caused by irritants such as smoke, strong scents, changes in barometric pressure or temperature or overuse of over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays.

Healthy Tips
• Sinusitis is a swelling of the nose and sinuses.
• Acute sinusitis occurs when symptoms last less than four weeks.
• Chronic sinusitis occurs when symptoms last more than three months.
• People with allergies are at greater risk of getting sinus infections.
• Treatment for sinusitis is available. See an allergist for help managing your symptoms.

Feel Better. Live Better.
An allergist / immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is a pediatrician or internist with at least two additional years of specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems such as allergies, asthma, and the evaluation and treatment of patients with recurrent infections, such as immunodeficiency diseases.

The right care can make the difference between suffering with an allergic disease and feeling better. By visiting an allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your disease.
 

The AAAAI's Find an Allergist / Immunologist service is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.

If you would like to order a brochure on this topic visit the AAAAI Store.

Find out more about sinusitis.

Reviewed: 11/7/23