Sinusitis Explained: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

Runny nose, stuffy nose, and headache are common symptoms in everyday life. People tend to think it is just a common cold, but these symptoms could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as sinusitis, which is more severe than a cold.

Understanding ‘Sinusitis’

Sinusitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the paranasal sinuses, commonly referred to as the ‘sinuses.’ These are air-filled cavities located in the facial and cranial areas.

The sinuses’ function is to produce mucus to clean and protect the nose from foreign objects. However, when inflammation occurs, it causes swelling of the lining, excessive mucus production, and blockage of the air passages. This can lead to infected pus or thick green mucus, resulting in various symptoms.

Types of Sinusitis

Sinusitis, or infection of the nasal mucosa and sinuses, is often caused by viral or bacterial infections or exposure to allergens. It is categorized based on the duration of symptoms as follows:

1. Acute Sinusitis: Symptoms last no longer than 4 weeks.
2. Subacute Sinusitis: Symptoms last from 4 to 12 weeks.
3. Chronic Sinusitis: Symptoms last for more than 12 weeks, with occasional episodes of acute sinusitis.
4. Recurrent Sinusitis: The patient experiences sinus inflammation and recurrence more than 3 times per year, with each episode lasting more than 10 days.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

People often mistakenly think that sinusitis is just a common cold or seasonal allergy. However, the symptoms of sinusitis are different from those of a cold. The most common symptoms include:

1. Thick, sticky yellow or green mucus in the throat or dripping down the throat
2. Nasal congestion and difficulty breathing
3. Bad breath or others noticing a foul odor
4. Facial pain, especially the forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and around the eyes
5. Decreased sense of smell
6. Headache, fever, and fatigue

Although the symptoms of sinusitis and colds are similar, there are key differences:

1. Duration: A cold typically lasts no more than 10 days, whereas sinusitis can persist longer.
2. Mucus: A cold usually produces clear mucus, while sinusitis tends to cause thick, sticky mucus that is yellow or green.
3. Pain: A cold may cause slight discomfort, while sinusitis often causes pain in a specific area of the sinuses.

Diagnosis of Sinusitis Diagnosis of Sinusitis

An accurate diagnosis of sinusitis helps patients receive the proper treatment and recover quickly.

1. Medical History and Physical Examination: The doctor will inquire about symptoms and examine to assess various signs.
2. Nasal Endoscopy: To check for abnormalities inside the nasal cavity.
3. Computed tomography (CT) scan: To locate the affected areas in the nasal cavity and sinuses, as well as determine the stage and severity of the condition.
4. Culture Test: To detect bacteria or fungi that may be causing the sinusitis.

Treatment of Sinusitis

The treatment of sinusitis depends on the cause and severity of the condition, and the doctor will determine the most proper treatment for each patient.

Conservative Treatment:

1. Viral sinusitis: Treatment is typically symptomatic and may include pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, saline nasal irrigation, and nasal steroid sprays.
2. Acute bacterial sinusitis: Antibiotics are prescribed for about 10-14 days, depending on the severity of the disease.
3. Chronic sinusitis: Treatment involves the use of nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation or steroid solutions mixed with saline for nasal irrigation.
4. Recurrent sinusitis: A doctor may perform a culture test to identify the appropriate antimicrobial medication.

Surgical treatment

In cases of chronic sinusitis that do not respond to medication, doctors may consider endoscopic surgery to remove some of the inflamed tissues and open the sinus cavity to improve drainage. It is a safe treatment method with minimal bleeding, less pain, improved nasal breathing, and a faster recovery.

Self-Care Tips to Relieve and Manage Sinusitis Symptoms

Proper self-care can help alleviate sinusitis symptoms and reduce the severity of the disease.

1. Rinse the nose with a warm saline solution to help reduce mucus blockage, relieve inflammation, and wash away germs and dirt accumulated in the nasal cavity.
2. Use a humidifier to help relieve nasal congestion and promote fluid drainage from the sinuses.
3. Get adequate rest to allow your body to recover and strengthen your immune system, reducing the chances of recurrent inflammation.
4. Drink plenty of water to prevent mucus from thickening and to make it easier to drain.
5. Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke, dust, and air pollution, which can worsen sinus inflammation.
6. Apply warm compression to your face if you experience pain on your forehead, cheekbones, or bridge of your nose to help relieve pain and reduce sinus inflammation.
7. Engage in light exercise, such as brisk walking or yoga, to stimulate blood circulation and improve the drainage of waste from the nasal cavity.

In addition, general health care such as frequent handwashing, avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution, and maintaining a healthy respiratory system can help reduce the risk of developing sinusitis.

If you need more information about sinusitis treatment, you can consult the ENT Center at Vejthani Hospital. We provide comprehensive care with advanced technology, like Navigator-assisted endoscopic surgery, which ensures precise, fast, and efficient recovery under the care of experienced ENT specialists to plan the best treatment.

For more information, please contact

ENT Center, 1st floor, Vejthani Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 ext. 3400
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888