Sinusitis is inflammation or swelling of the tissues lining the sinuses. Sinusitis can be due to allergy or infection. Sinuses are normally filled with air but when due to some reasons sinuses get blocked with fluids bacteria or viruses can grow and cause infection. This condition is called Sinusitis. This blockage can be due to common cold, allergy rhinitis or deviated septum.

Certain people have sensitiveness or allergies to some weather conditions or with some food products. Because of this sensitivity, they sometimes get dilation of blood vessels in the nose or even release chemicals from the cells in the nose that cause swelling. People with Sinus allergies, should avoid environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke and strong chemical odors.

Symptoms of Sinus Allergies or Sinusitis

Various symptoms of Sinus allergies are Nasal stuffiness, facial pain or pressure, loss of smell, cough/congestion, fever, nasal discharge, bad breath and even dental pain.

How is Sinus Allergy Diagnosed?

Allergy Doctors first review the symptoms of the patient and give the patient a physical examination. Various test to diagnose Sinusitis like mucus culture, X-rays, C T Scan of Sinuses, allergy testing, nasal endoscopy and a few other test to diagnose the type of allergy.

Different types of Sinusitis

Acute Sinusitis: In this condition there is sudden onset of cold like symptoms such as running or stuffy nose, and facial pain that doesn’t go away for 10-15 days.

Subacute sinusitis: In this, the inflammation last for at least 4 to 8 weeks.

Chronic sinusitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation that last for 8 weeks or longer.

Recurrent sinusitis: In this several attacks occur within a year.

Treatment

The Sinusitis treatment includes taking a rest and drinking lots of water to thin the mucus. In most of the cases Antibiotics are not recommended. Gargling, low temperature steam or nasal irrigation can help in relieving from the symptoms. Nasal sprays containing Oxymetazoline may give relief for sometime but one should not use these medications for longer than recommended period.

Research

Some recent theories suggest that fungus may play in the development of Chronic Sinusitis and antifungal treatments have been used on trial basis. But these trials have had mixed results.