Sinusitis
Sinusitis
Sinusitis means inflammation or infection of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces in your skull around the nose and eyes. When these sinuses become swollen, filled with mucus, or blocked, it can cause pressure, pain, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting a few days to weeks) or chronic (lasting for months).
Common Causes Of Sinusitis
- Viral infections (like the common cold)
- Bacterial infections (in some cases)
- Nasal allergies
- Nasal polyps (small growths in the nasal passages)
- Deviated nasal septum (crooked nasal bone causing blockage)
Symptoms Of Sinusitis
- Stuffy or blocked nose
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- Facial pain or pressure (especially around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead)
- Headache
- Reduced or lost sense of smell
- Cough or sore throat from post-nasal drip
Treatment
- Acute sinusitis : usually gets better with rest, hydration, saline nasal sprays, steam inhalation, and sometimes a short course of antibiotics (if bacterial).
- Acute sinusitis : usually gets better with rest, hydration, saline nasal sprays, steam inhalation, and sometimes a short course of antibiotics (if bacterial).
- Surgery (FESS) : For chronic cases that don’t respond to medicines, surgery removes blockages and improves sinus drainage.
- Saline nasal rinses : Gently flushing the nose helps clear out mucus and allergens (use under medical guidance).
Self -Care Tips
To help ease sinusitis symptoms at home, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids, as this helps thin the mucus and makes it easier to drain. Using a humidifier or breathing in steam can soothe nasal passages and reduce congestion. You can also gently rinse your nasal passages with saline solution to clear out mucus and allergens — but be sure to do this under medical advice for safe technique. These simple steps can provide relief and support healing alongside any medical treatment.