Do you also have a cold that doesn't seem to go away for months? Do you have a stuffy nose, a headache, and a greenish-yellow, thick mucus coming out, and you feel a pain in your face? Many people think that this is just a common cold, but it could be something more serious, chronic sinusitis. So today, let's talk about this exactly, very simply.
What is Chronic Sinusitis?
Okay, first let's look at what these sinuses are. Simply put, we call the sinuses the small air-filled hollow spaces in our skull, around the nose, under the eyes, and in the forehead area. When we breathe, the air that enters through the nose passes through these cavities before going to the lungs. These sinuses are lined with a thin membrane. They also produce a small amount of mucus that helps keep the inside of the nose moist and traps things like dust and germs in the air we breathe.
Normally, this mucus drains out through the nose. But if for some reason the membranes inside these sinus cavities become inflamed or infected, the paths for that mucus to drain become blocked. Then the mucus gets trapped inside, germs get in, and inflammation occurs. We call this sinusitis.
Now, acute sinusitis, which occurs with a common cold, usually resolves within 10 days. However, if these symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks , we call it chronic sinusitis . Although this is a somewhat annoying condition, it can be completely cured with proper medical treatment.
Do you also have these symptoms?
A person with a chronic sinus condition can experience a variety of symptoms. Sometimes these come and go, so we may not pay much attention to them. See if these symptoms sound familiar to you.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Facial pain or heaviness | Pain that is felt when pressing on the sides of the nose, under the eyes, in the cheeks, and in the forehead area. This pain may seem to increase when bending forward. |
| Thick, discolored mucus | Thick, yellow or green mucus coming out of the nose. Sometimes, the mucus doesn't come out of the nose, but rather flows down the throat (postnasal drip). This can cause a constant sore throat. |
| Nasal congestion | The nose is so congested that it is difficult to breathe. This can cause a change in voice even when speaking. |
| Headache | A headache that occurs especially in the morning and is also felt in the facial area. |
| Other features | Symptoms such as toothache (especially in the upper jaw), earache, cough, extreme fatigue, loss of smell and taste (anosmia/ageusia), and bad breath (halitosis) may also be seen. |
Remember, having one or two of these symptoms does not mean you have Chronic Sinusitis. However, if they persist for a long time, it is important to seek medical advice.
Why does this sinus problem persist?
There are several reasons for this. The main ones are swelling in the sinus cavities and blockage of the mucus drainage channels. Here are some of the main reasons for this condition:
- Nasal Polyps: These are soft, grape-like growths that form inside the nose or sinus cavities. When they grow large, they can block the passageways that drain mucus.
- Allergies and Asthma: People who are allergic to things like dust, pollen, and animal dander often experience swelling of the lining of the nose. Asthma patients are also at higher risk.
- Deviated Septum: If the cartilaginous wall that separates our nostrils is deviated to one side, it can also block the sinus passages.
- Other medical conditions: Diseases that weaken the body's immune system (e.g. HIV), genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, and even dental infections can sometimes cause sinusitis.
- Frequent respiratory infections: A person who frequently gets colds and flu can damage the sinus membranes, causing them to thicken, leading to a long-term sinus condition.
How exactly does the doctor find this?
When you tell us about your symptoms, the doctor will first examine you. Then, if necessary, they may refer you for tests like these to confirm the diagnosis.
- Nasal Endoscopy: In this, a thin, flexible tube with a small camera attached is inserted into the nose and examined at the entrance to the sinus cavities. This can clearly see if there are polyps or swelling.
- CT or MRI scans: These can take detailed pictures of your skull and sinus cavities. They can help see how much swelling there is inside the sinuses and whether there are any deep blockages.
- Biopsy: Very rarely, and only if there is suspicion of another serious condition, a small piece of tissue may be taken from the nose and sent for examination.
What are the treatments for this?
The best thing is that there are very effective treatments for this. Your doctor will decide on the treatment based on the cause of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.
| Treatment method | What happens to it? |
|---|---|
| Nasal Steroid Sprays | These are the most commonly used treatments. They help reduce swelling inside the nose. If there are polyps in the nose, they can also help shrink them. |
| Nasal Saline Irrigation | Rinsing your nose with saline solution, available at the pharmacy, or homemade salt water, can help remove mucus and allergens trapped inside. |
| Treatment for allergies | If your sinus problems are caused by allergies, you may be able to get relief with antihistamines or allergy shots. |
| Antibiotics | Only if the doctor determines that the condition is caused by a bacterial infection can he prescribe antibiotics to be taken for several weeks. |
| Surgery | If medication does not help and there is a physical obstruction such as nasal polyps or congestion, surgery may be necessary. With modern endoscopic sinus surgery, the blockage can be removed from inside the nose and the sinus cavities can be opened without making any incisions on the outside. In addition, there are modern methods such as 'Balloon Sinuplasty'. |
What can you do to prevent it and get relief at home?
While it's difficult to completely avoid this annoying condition, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk and manage your symptoms.
- Control allergies: Stay away from things like dust, smoke, car fumes, and strong perfumes. Clean the house thoroughly.
- Avoid smoking: If you smoke, quit. Also, avoid being in places where other people smoke (secondhand smoke).
- Wash your hands regularly: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
- Keep your nose moist: If you live in a very dry environment, you can use a humidifier. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Steam Inhalation: Inhaling the steam from a bowl of hot water can help relieve nasal congestion and sinus congestion.
- Hot compress: Wringing out a piece of cloth soaked in hot water and applying it to the painful areas of the face provides relief.
- Rest: Resting your body helps your immune system, so get plenty of sleep.
The most important thing is that if you have cold symptoms for more than two or three weeks, you should definitely see a doctor and get proper advice, rather than taking any medication you feel like.
Take-Home Message
- Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus cavities that lasts for more than 12 weeks. It is different from a common cold.
- The main symptoms are facial pain, nasal congestion, thick yellow/green mucus, and headache.
- This can be caused by a number of factors, including allergies, nasal polyps, and nasal congestion.
- Although this is a bothersome condition, there are effective treatments available, such as nasal sprays, medications, and, if necessary, surgery.
- If symptoms persist, do not make decisions on your own, but see your doctor as soon as possible and seek proper treatment.
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