Sinusitis is basically an infection of the sinus cavities. There are 4 sets of sinuses:
- Maxillary
- Ethmoid
- Frontal
- Sphenoid
These cavities are air-filled cavities which are connected to the nose by small openings or Ostia.
When the openings swell up; the mucous then collects. If the openings are blocked frequently, these sinuses get infected. Think of this like a 6-lane highway that leads into a city which suddenly becomes a one-way street. This may be manifested in:
- pressure symptoms,
- headaches,
- pain(cheek, teeth),
- postnasal drip,
- blocked nose,
- coughing,
- thick coloured mucus
- etc.
Infections lasting 3 months or longer are defined as chronic sinusitis. The main issue with chronic sinusitis is that your body is constantly fighting an infection; this stresses your immune system and may cause chronic cough, tiredness, fatigue etc.
We strongly advise treatment of chronic sinusitis- this need not be surgery as often we can treat this with culture-directed antibiotics, decongestants, nasal steroids and nasal douche.
Occasionally if the infection is persistent, not treated properly and the sinus blocks off completely; this may result in serious complications in nearby structures such as the skin, eye, bone and the brain.
