What should be paid attention to with sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on September 28, 2024

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The precautions for sinusitis mainly include the following aspects:

First, it is important to determine the degree and type of sinusitis. Currently, sinusitis is primarily classified into two main types: fungal sinusitis and bacterial sinusitis. It is recommended to assess the severity of the inflammation. For mild inflammation, conservative treatment is generally considered. For severe inflammation or fungal sinusitis, surgery may be necessary.

Second, it is important to take precautions in daily life to avoid exacerbating sinusitis, especially by avoiding colds and opting for a lighter diet.

Third, monitor the recovery of sinusitis in daily life and check for any possible complications. Therefore, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) clinic regularly for follow-up.

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Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 7sec

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How should sinusitis be treated?

Sinusitis is caused by acute inflammatory infections, mainly hemolytic streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens enter the sinuses through the sinus openings due to the patient catching a cold or having a flu, leading to congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and exudation in the sinus mucosa. Symptoms include persistent nasal congestion, discharge of yellow secretions from the nasal cavity accompanied by a foul smell, and severe cases may also experience facial swelling, pain, and headaches. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase, patients need to first undergo symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, taking oral antibiotics such as cephalosporins, which are very effective. Additionally, physiological saline is used for nasal and sinus irrigation. If conservative treatment is ineffective, patients may require endoscopic sinus surgery and sinus mucosa clearance for recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

46sec

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Should sinusitis use hot compress or cold compress?

Generally speaking, neither cold nor hot compresses are necessary for sinusitis, because sinusitis is mainly an acute or chronic bacterial infection of the sinuses. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and reduced sense of smell. Some people may also experience headaches and dizziness. The main treatment is still medication, and it is also possible to consider rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution, regular follow-ups, and if the inflammation is severe, sinus opening surgery may need to be considered, which currently mainly involves endoscopic sinus surgery. Overall, neither hot nor cold compresses have a therapeutic effect on sinusitis, so they are not recommended.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 1sec

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What is acute sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is an acute inflammatory response of the sinuses caused by a sudden bacterial infection. Clinically, the most common sites of lesion are the maxillary sinuses and ethmoid sinuses, though some patients may also experience inflammation in the frontal sinuses or sphenoid sinuses. The main symptoms include sudden nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, it may also affect vision or cause fever and a feeling of heaviness in the head. Overall, it is considered to be an acute inflammatory response, primarily treated clinically with antibiotics to counter the infection, along with the use of nasal sprays and nasal irrigation, typically with saline solution. Regular follow-up checks are required, and the recovery period generally lasts about one to two weeks. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

57sec

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Is sinusitis contagious?

Sinusitis is not a contagious disease and does not have definite transmissibility, as sinusitis is mainly due to acute or chronic bacterial infections. A small portion of patients suffer from fungal sinusitis caused by fungal infections. Generally speaking, sinusitis is an inflammatory response and is not contagious, so it does not qualify as a communicable disease. In terms of treatment, conservative drug treatment is the primary approach, with oral medications and nasal sprays being the first choice, along with the use of saline or separated seawater for irrigation. Generally, conditions can be effectively controlled with medication. For cases of fungal infection, or chronic sinusitis where conservative drug treatment is ineffective, it may be advisable to consider endoscopic sinus surgery, which generally involves minimally invasive procedures with relatively minimal trauma and good outcomes.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

43sec

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How to alleviate sinusitis?

The acute phase of sinusitis largely depends on the extent of the inflammation. If the inflammation is mild and the symptoms are atypical or slight, saline nasal irrigation can be considered. If the inflammatory reaction is severe and accompanied by clear symptoms like nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and dizziness, then medical treatment should be considered. Generally, the treatment consists primarily of oral antibiotics, along with traditional Chinese medicines and mucolytics, supplemented with nasal sprays. Regular follow-ups are advised, and the treatment period usually ranges from one to two weeks. If standardized medication does not work, or in the case of fungal sinusitis, surgery may be necessary.