Chronic sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around the nasal cavity (sinuses) are inflamed and blocked for 8 weeks or longer, despite treatment.
Chronic sinusitis (rhinosinusitis) prevents the free flow of mucus in the cavity and causes its accumulation If you have chronic sinusitis, you may find it difficult to breathe through your nose The face and the area around the eyes may be swollen and accompanied by a sharp pain in the face or headache
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum. Chronic sinusitis most often affects young and middle-aged adults, but it can also occur in children
Common causes of chronic sinusitis are:
- Nasal polyps These tissue growths sometimes block the patency of the cavities
- Allergic reactions Allergens include fungal infections
- Curvature of the nasal septum Curved septum (the wall between the nostrils) disrupts the permeability of the cavities
- Facial trauma A facial bone fracture can cause cavities to become blocked
- Other medical conditions: Complications of cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux, HIV/AIDS, and other immune system disorders
- Respiratory tract infections – most often, a cold causes inflammation and mucus thickening, blocking the flow of mucus and creating good conditions for bacterial growth The infection may be viral, bacterial or fungal
- Allergies The inflammatory condition associated with allergies prevents cavities from emptying
- Cells of the immune system In some diseases, immune cells - eosinophils cause inflammation of cavities (sinuses).
Chronic and acute sinusitis have similar symptoms, but acute sinusitis is a temporary infection and usually occurs during a cold At least two of the following symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis:
- Thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or throat
- Protection of the nasal cavity, difficulty breathing through the nose
- Pain, soreness, burning around the eyes, on the cheeks, nose or forehead
Fever is not a common sign of chronic sinusitis, although it is present in acute sinusitis
When to see a doctor
You may have several episodes of acute sinusitis that last less than 4 weeks before becoming chronic. You may refer to an allergist or otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) for consultation.
Schedule a visit to the doctor if:
- You have had sinusitis several times, it is not amenable to treatment
- You have had symptoms of sinusitis for more than 7 days
- Symptoms have not improved after visiting the doctor
See your doctor immediately if symptoms indicate a more serious infection:
