Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)

Sinusitis is commonly caused by:

• Anatomical defects of the nose like a crooked nasal septum (bone that separates nasal cavity into the 2 nostrils), untreated allergic rhinitis (swollen airways of the nose) and teeth infections
• Fungal infections – fungal sinusitis usually affects people with a weakened immune system
• Viral and bacterial infections – these can be treated in a reasonable amount of time

The symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Bad breath
• Coughing caused by mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• Difficulty breathing through the nose due to blockage
• Tiredness
• Feeling full in the face
• Feeling heavy in the head
• Fever
• Nausea and giddiness
• Pain and swelling around the eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Thick, yellowish or greenish nasal discharge

Treatments of acute sinusitis include:

• Antibiotics and decongestants to manage the infection and restore the natural flow of mucus out of the sinuses

Treatment of chronic sinusitis involves surgery to resolve the blockage in the sinuses. Surgical options include:

• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) – a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) through the nose to remove infected tissues in the nose
• Balloon sinuplasty – less invasive than FESS and does not involve bone or tissue removal. It uses specialised instruments to insert a balloon to widen the sinus opening to restore normal mucus flow

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• The infection may spread to the eye socket or into the fluid surrounding the brain.