Sinus disease or sinusitis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities on the skull. Sinus cavities are usually air-filled and aid in insulating the skull, reduce the skull’s weight and allow the voice to resonate within it. Infections and allergies cause the sinus tissues to get inflamed, red and swollen thus the disease.

Types of sinus disease

There are two main types of this condition: acute and chronic sinusitis:

Acute sinusitis: It lasts for 4 weeks or less and occurs no more than 3 times a year. It is characterized by cold-like symptoms such as stuffy nose, facial pain, cough, congestion, and loss of smell. In some cases, you may have bad breath, fatigue, and fever.

Chronic sinusitis: The condition lasts for 8 weeks or longer and occurs more than four times a year. Symptoms of the condition include: fever, nasal blockage, a feeling of congestion in your face, pus in the nasal cavity, and nasal discharge. In rare cases, you will have dental pain, headaches, fatigue and bad breath.

Diagnosis of sinusitis

Initially, the condition can be diagnosed by a general practitioner. In children, the condition can be diagnosed by a pediatrician. If you are suffering from chronic sinusitis, you may be referred to an ENT specialist. If the condition is caused by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist. During the diagnosis, the doctors use a nasal endoscope which is a tube-like instrument equipped with tiny cameras and lights. The device helps the doctors to see the inside of the nose and sinus thus they are able to tell you whether you are suffering from the condition. In addition to using an endoscope, the doctors may also use other diagnosis methods such as CT scan and ultrasound.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, complications of sinusitis can occur resulting to severe medical conditions and even death. If you are suffering from headaches, soft tissue swelling, and fever, you should seek medical advice immediately.

Treatment options for sinus disease

The treatment options depend on the condition that you are suffering from. If suffering from acute sinusitis, the doctor may recommend that you use steam inhalations and decongestants. If suffering from chronic sinusitis your doctor may recommend that you use vaporizers, saline drops, and decongestants. If you have allergies, your allergy doctor may recommend that you take antihistamine.

If antibiotics and other medications have failed to open the sinuses, the doctors may recommend that you undertake a sinus surgery. Full recovery takes 4-6 weeks but you can return to your normal duties within 5-7 days after surgery.