Living with sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

• Most people have a total of eight sinuses (four pairs) that are located: 
• On either side of your nose (maxillary sinuses)
• Behind your forehead (frontal sinuses)
• On either side of the bridge of your nose (ethmoid sinuses)
• Behind your eyes (sphenoid sinuses)
  
  

Types of sinusitis

Sinusitis is categorised by how long your symptoms last and the cause of your sinusitis.

• Acute sinusitis — symptoms last less than four weeks
• Subacute sinusitis — symptoms last between four and 12 weeks
• Chronic sinusitis — symptoms last longer than 12 weeks 
  Recurrent acute sinusitis — symptoms come back four or more times a year and last less than two weeks each time
• Viral sinusitis - is the most common cause of a sinus infection. It is caused by viruses such as the common cold or flu
• Bacterial sinusitis — is a less common type of sinus infection. It is caused by bacteria and commonly follows a viral infection
• Fungal sinusitis —is usually more serious than other forms of sinusitis. Fungal sinusitis is more common in people with a weakened immune system.
  
  

What causes sinusitis? 

Sinusitis can have several causes including: 

• Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae 
• Fungi
• Viruses like the common cold and flu 
• Nasal and seasonal allergies such as pollen, dust mites, mould and pet dander 

What are the risk factors for sinusitis? 

Anyone can get sinusitis, but you may have a higher risk of developing the condition if you:  

• Have nasal polyps
• Smoke
• Have asthma 
• Have nasal allergies
• Have a deviated septum 
• Have a nasal bone spur or growth inside your nose 
• Have cystic fibrosis which causes mucus to build up inside your lungs and mucus membranes 
• Have a dental infection 
• Have a weakened immune system due to medication or disease 
  
  

Sinusitis symptoms 

Symptoms of sinusitis commonly occur after a viral infection such as a cold or flu and may include: 

• Nasal congestion (blocked nose) 
• Runny nose, often with green or yellow mucus 
• Mucus in the back of your throat (postnasal drip) 
• A reduced sense of smell and taste 
• Sore throat
• Fever 
• Headache (sinusitis headache) may be throbbing, with pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead
• Toothache
• Bad breath (halitosis) 
• Cough
• Earache/ a feeling of pressure in the ears
• Fatigue 
  
  

Is sinusitis contagious?

Sinusitis itself isn’t contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that can cause it are. Avoid spreading germs to other people by avoiding contact with others while you are unwell, washing your hands frequently and coughing and sneezing into a tissue, or your inner elbow. 

When to see a consultant

Make an appointment with your ENT (ear, nose and throat) consultant if you have severe symptoms that could indicate a more serious infection such as:  

•  A severe headache
• High fever
• Changes to your vision such as double vision 
• Swelling or redness around your eyes or forehead 
• Neck stiffness 
• Confusion 
• Your symptoms are getting worse, or not getting better after three weeks 
• Painkillers are not helping 
• Your sinusitis keeps coming back 
  
  

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Sinusitis is usually diagnosed by assessing your symptoms and performing a physical examination. 

If your consultant suspects chronic sinusitis, they may order tests to confirm your diagnosis or rule out another cause of your symptoms. These tests may include:

•  Imaging scans such as CT or MRI — allow your consultant to examine your sinuses and nasal passages in detail and check for abnormalities that could be causing your sinusitis. 
•  Nasal endoscopy — a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera (endoscope) is inserted into your nose so your consultant can examine your sinuses.
•  Nasal and sinus samples — if your chronic sinusitis is getting worse, or not improving with treatment, your consultant may take samples of mucus from your nose or sinuses to check for germs that could be causing your sinusitis 
  
• Allergy testing — If your sinusitis is due to an allergy, allergy testing may help identify the cause
  
• Tissue biopsy — in rare cases, a sample of tissue may be taken from your nasal passages and sent to the laboratory for analysis 
  
  
  

How is sinusitis treated? 

There are several treatment options for sinusitis and the right treatment for you depends on your symptoms, how severe they are and how long you’ve had them. 
Treatment for sinusitis includes: 

• Home treatments
• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription medications 
• Surgery 

Get help with us today

If you are battling sinusitis and want to see a specialist, you can book an appointment with one of our ENT consultants for expert advice and tailored treatment.