Sinusitis

Various factors can contribute to the development of sinusitis. Some of them are:

• Infections of the upper respiratory system
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nasal polyps
• Deviated nasal septum (scoliosis of the nasal septum)
• Smoking
• Dental inflammation
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sudden changes in atmospheric pressure (flights / diving)

Sinusitis can be classified/distinguished as:

1. Acute sinusitis
It usually starts with cold symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, and a feeling of fullness and pressure in the face. In the course of the condition, symptoms such as toothache, feeling of fullness or earache, fever and cough may occur.

2. Subacute sinusitis
When sinusitis symptoms last for 4 to 12 weeks, the type is called subacute sinusitis.

3. Chronic sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is characterized by persistent symptoms, which last for more than 3 months (12 weeks). It manifests itself with purulent secretions which in some cases can also be postnasal drip, pain or pressure in the face, headache, cough, and reduced sense of smell. Important predisposing/risk factors for chronic sinusitis are severe deviation of the septum, nasal polyps, and allergic rhinitis, conditions in which airflow through the nose is abnormal.

4. Recurrent acute sinusitis
Recurrent acute sinusitis refers to cases where the patient will experience episodes of acute sinusitis several times (4 – 5) a year.

Τα The symptoms that characterize sinusitis include all or some of the following:

• Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
• Mucous or purulent discharge from the nose
• Postnasal drip (discharge from behind the nose that goes down the throat)
• Headache
• Feeling of pressure and pain in the face
• Cough
• Toothache (due to the proximity of the upper jaw to the sinuses)
• Fever
• Smell disorders
• Pain and pressure in the ears
• Bad, smelly breath of the oral cavity

Η The diagnosis of sinusitis is made by a specialized ENT,the doctor will initially take the patient's medical history and look for information about the symptoms, as well as factors (lifestyle, coexisting conditions) that predispose to the condition. They will then proceed to a clinical examination and perform an endoscopy of the nose with special video-endoscopes in order to accurately assess the situation.

In some cases, if deemed necessary, the doctor may refer the patient for an imaging test (plain x-ray or computed tomography).

Depending on the type and cause of sinusitis, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment. θεραπεία.

Early diagnosis of sinusitis is important for effective treatment of the condition and avoidance of unpleasant complications, since, in rare cases, inflammation of the sinuses can extend to the eye or the brain.

Treatment of sinusitis includes nasal washes with special solutions, use of decongestant and corticosteroid nasal sprays, painkillers, and antibiotic treatment. It is important to know that the use of decongestant nasal sprays should not exceed the recommended duration of one week, as otherwise they may cause rhinitis medicamentosa and, ultimately, increase the congestion in the nasal cavity.

If, despite conservative treatment, the symptoms do not subside, then endoscopic surgical debridement of the sinuses is necessary.
In cases where severe deviated septum coexists with sinusitis, septoplasty should be performed so as to restore the normal flow of air inside the nose and reduce the chances of recurrence/relapse.