Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an infection, but can also be caused by growths in the sinuses, which are nasal polyps, or a deviated nasal septum. Chronic sinusitis can last more than eight weeks or will just keep coming back. Symptoms for chronic sinusitis include: cough, which may be worse at night, a decrease in the sense of smell and taste, aching in your upper jaw and teeth, pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead, nasal obstruction and congestion, and drainage of thick mucus. Other symptoms include: nausea, bad breath, ear pain, sore throat, and fatigue. The causes of chronic sinusitis may include: nasal polyps or tumors, allergic reactions, deviated nasal septum, trauma to the face, respiratory tract infections, allergies such as hay fever, and immune system cells. There can be a blockage of the sinuses that can create a moist environment which makes it easier for an infection to occur. The sinuses then can not drain like normal and causes a thick yellowish or greenish discharge of mucus. The main goals in treating chronic sinusitis include: reduce sinus inflammation, eliminate the underlying cause, keep nasal passages draining, and reduce the amount of sinusitis flare-ups that might occur. Treatments that a doctor will have you try would be: saline nasal spray, nasal corticosteroids, oral or injected corticosteroids, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and aspirin treatment. Antibiotics would sometimes be necessary sinusitis for a bacterial infection, but chronic sinusitis is usually caused by something other than a bacterial infection and antibiotics will not help. Surgery might also be another option if the other treatments are not working at all. The tests and diagnosis that can be done for chronic sinusitis would be: nasal endoscopy, imaging studies, nasal and sinus cultures, and an allergy test. The preventions for chronic sinusitis may include: avoid upper respiratory infections, carefully manage your allergies, avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air, and also use a humidifier.

Chronic Sinusitis. Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-sinusitis/DS00232

Rover, Elena. (January 2009). Chronic Sinusitis. Retrieved from www.rd.com/.../article109139.html