What is the best treatment for sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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The treatment of sinusitis is currently divided into two main categories: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. The specific choice of treatment mainly depends on the severity and type of sinusitis. For fungal sinusitis, conservative treatment generally does not yield good results. If the patient's condition permits and their physical health can tolerate surgery, it is generally recommended to perform sinus opening surgery under endoscopy. For bacterial sinusitis with mild inflammation, unclear symptoms, or relatively mild symptoms, conservative drug treatment can be considered. This usually involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and saline nasal irrigation can also be considered. If the inflammatory response is more severe and the symptoms are typical, and conservative treatment is ineffective, sinus opening surgery should be considered. Currently, minimally invasive surgery under endoscopy is employed, which generally yields precise results, causes less damage, and allows for a quicker recovery.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of recurrent sinusitis

The symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are essentially the same as those of sinusitis itself. Symptoms can be divided into local symptoms, which are those of the nasal cavity, as well as some systemic symptoms, because the recurrence of sinusitis often follows a cold that leads to an acute recurrence. The nasal symptoms mainly include nasal discharge, primarily consisting of yellow pus-like mucus. There may also be nasal congestion or a sensation of the nose being blocked, as well as headaches. The location and severity of the headache depend on which sinus is more severely inflamed, which also affects where the headache is felt. Additionally, there may be a disturbance in the sense of smell, which refers to a reduced sensitivity to smells, or a reduced ability to smell or weak sense of smell. Systemic symptoms mainly include lethargy, feelings of headache and weakness, lack of concentration, and a general lack of energy. Overall, the symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are similar to those of initial sinusitis, with most being the same.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How to deal with frontal headache caused by sinusitis?

In the acute phase, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is needed, which can be administered orally or intravenously through antibiotics, whereas chronic sinusitis requires local surgical treatment. The frontal headache caused by sinusitis is generally common in frontal sinusitis. Frontal sinusitis is a common type of sinusitis which occurs when the body's immunity is lowered, allowing bacteria to invade along the opening of the frontal sinuses, thus affecting the mucous membranes of the frontal sinuses, leading to congestion, swelling, proliferation, and exudation. Patients may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and frontal swelling pain. An examination with an endoscope and a CT scan of the sinuses will reveal purulent secretions in both nasal cavities. At the same time, enlargement of the nasal conchae on both sides can block the nasal passages causing nasal congestion in patients. In terms of treatment, the acute phase requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment. Generally, in cases of bacterial infection, patients can achieve good results with oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment. However, for chronic sinusitis, local surgical treatment is required for cure.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Common symptoms of sinusitis

The symptoms of sinusitis can vary widely, primarily related to the extent of the inflammation and the patient's own immune resistance. It is possible to have no obvious clinical manifestations, mainly in those with good resistance and very mild inflammation. The patient may not experience any significant symptoms, and sinusitis might only be discovered through a sinus CT or a head CT. If the inflammatory response is more noticeable, symptoms may include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, dizziness, and a reduction or loss of smell. Some patients might also experience numbness and a feeling of pressure in the face. Diagnosis typically involves a sinus CT or nasopharyngeal examination, as well as direct visual observation of the nasal cavity and an overall assessment of the patient's condition, followed by targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does sinusitis cause coughing?

Sinusitis may cause coughing since the condition presents with various symptoms. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, dizziness, reduced sense of smell, and postnasal drip. Some patients may experience coughing, often due to the postnasal drip where secretions from the nasal cavity and nasopharynx flow into the throat, leading to an irritating cough, typically a dry cough. This secretion irritates the throat, causing itchiness and resulting in a cough. Additionally, sinusitis can induce pharyngitis as the ear, nose, and throat are interconnected. Sinusitis may lead to conditions such as otitis media (middle ear infection) and pharyngitis, which can directly cause coughing. Hence, it is necessary to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital upon the onset of symptoms.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a nonspecific inflammation of the sinus mucosa, a common and frequently occurring illness. Its onset is often due to diseases of the nasal cavity such as nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, or nasal cavity tumors that block the sinus ostia, all of which can lead to sinusitis. Patients with sinusitis typically experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and headaches. Usually, a diagnosis requires sinus CT scans, either plain or enhanced, to confirm the occurrence of sinusitis. Once diagnosed, most cases of sinusitis can be alleviated with oral medication. However, a small number of patients who are difficult to cure may need surgery to open the sinus ostia and maintain drainage, thus curing the sinusitis.