Chronic sinusitis is mainly caused by:

• Blockage of the nose by allergies, nasal polyps, nasal tumors or deviated nasal septum.

• Dental infections like tooth abscess.

• Allergy to the fungus like aspergillus

Signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis

• Drainage of thick yellow or green discharge from nose.
• Post nasal drip.
• Pain, tenderness and tenderness around the forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose.
• Nasal obstruction causing difficulty in breathing.
• Pain in the upper jaw and teeth.
• Cough.
• Decreased sense of smell and taste.

Other signs and symptoms:

• Ear pain
• Sore throat.

• Bad breath.

• Tiredness

 Diagnosis:

• Medical history.
• X-ray of paranasal sinuses.

• CT scan of paranasal sinuses.

• MRI of paranasal sinuses.

Complications:

• Abscess formation.
• Infection can spread to the other parts like eyes, ear.

• Meningitis if the infection spreads to the brain.

• Infection can spread to the bones of face leading to osteomyelitis.

Treatment:

The goal of the treatment is to reduce the inflammation of sinuses, to promote drainage of the sinuses, to eliminate the causes, to reduce the flare-ups of sinusitis.

Saline nasal spray to unblock the nasal passages.

Nasal corticosteroids are given to prevent and treat inflammation. The commonly used steroids are fluticasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, mometasone and beclamethasone.

Nasal decongestants in the form of sprays, tablets or liquids are given to reduce the nasal congestions.

Pain medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given to relieve pain.

Antibiotics like amoxicillin, clindamycin, clarythromycin, cephalosporins can be given

Surgery for chronic sinusitis:

Surgery is indicated if the medical treatment fails.

The surgery advised is endoscopic sinus surgery where is an endoscope is passed through sinus passages and the obstruction is relieved. Enlarging the narrow sinus opening is also done to promote the drainage.