What is Sinusitis?

A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity in the skull. It is of four different types- frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid. The functions of sinuses include humidifying the inspired air and insulating the surrounding structures (i.e., eyes and nerves), improving voice resonance, and acting as buffers against facial trauma. They also help to decrease the weight of the skull. Sinuses create mucus that maintains the moisture in the nose that helps to protect the nose against dust, allergens, and pollutants. 

Sinusitis is the condition that arises when inflammation or swelling occurs in the sinus tissue lining. The role of sinuses is to keep the nose clean and bacteria-free. Normally, the sinuses are filled with air. But sometimes, they can get blocked, and fluid may start to deposit in the nose. When this happens, bacteria can grow rapidly and cause infection, which is known as bacterial sinusitis. 

In the normal state, the sinus infection can be resolved with the help of medications. However, in severe cases, it sometimes becomes necessary to use surgical methods. The most appropriate treatment method for sinus infection or disease is sinus surgery. Currently, most ENT specialists utilize Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to treat all kinds of sinus infections effectively and safely. 

If you have symptoms of sinus infections, you can get in touch with our ENT surgeons and get their help to permanently get rid of the disease. 

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  • Nasal polyps
  • Deviated nasal septum
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Allergies
  • Other medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, HIV
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Feeling pain or pressure in the face
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Bad breath
  • Severe headache
  • Post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down your throat)
  • Fever higher than 38 °C
Primary diagnosis will include general questions about your symptoms, since when you are having them, if sinusitis is genetic in your family, etc. The ENT doctor may also want to know about the previous treatments you have taken for sinusitis if any. The ENT specialist will also ask about your medical history in order to make a detailed diagnosis and find out the cause of the condition. Your ENT doctor will also do a physical examination and check your face, ears, nose, and throat for any swelling, blockage, or draining. The doctor may also use an endoscope to look inside the nose. In some cases, you might be recommended to take imaging exams like a CT scan for a better diagnosis. Results from your diagnosis and imaging tests will be evaluated to decide the best treatment for your sinus problem.
If your diagnosis suggests that your sinus infection can be treated without surgery, your ENT specialist will prescribe you medications including antibiotics and nasal drops to treat the infection. The doctor will also recommend some other natural remedies or lifestyle changes to treat the condition. Surgery for sinusitis is chosen for patients with severe or chronic sinusitis that could not be treated with nonsurgical treatments. FESS surgery in Delhi is performed under the influence of anesthesia (local or general, depending on the preference of the patient). The procedure is done inside the nose and thus there will be no external incisions or stitches. The surgeon will use modern surgical instruments with minimally invasive techniques to unblock the sinuses. During FESS, small amounts of bone and swollen lining blocking the sinuses may be removed. After your sinusitis surgery, the inflammation will settle down and your symptoms will start to get better. To know more about FESS and how this surgery can improve your life, book your consultation with the best ENT doctors for sinusitis surgery in India.
  • Having cold
  • Seasonal allergies
  • Smoking tobacco or exposure to passive smoke
  • Structural problems within the sinuses
  • A weak immune system
  • Elevate your head to minimize bleeding and reduce swelling after the surgery.
  • If you have splints in your nose, keep them in place. If they get clogged, breathe through your mouth and do not remove the packing or splints.
  • Do not blow your nose for at least a week after surgery.
  • Do not lift heavy weights or perform strenuous exercises that can cause straining.
  • If you have to sneeze or cough, try doing it with an open mouth.
  • Don’t take aspirin as it can slow down the clotting process and increase the chances of excessive bleeding.
  • Visit the doctor for regular follow-ups.
  • Contact your surgeon if you experience persistent pain, bleeding, breathing issues, etc.

Frequently Asked Question

In the majority of cases, the sinus infection is not contagious. However, there are still chances that the bacteria may spread from one person to another. That’s why the doctors always advise that you seek proper treatment for all kinds of ENT-related problems.

No. Some sinus infections, such as the common cold, are caused by viruses. In such cases, antibiotics won’t help. And if you take antibiotics, this will result in side effects. It may cause antibiotic resistance in your body that will make it harder to treat future bacterial infections with the help of antibiotics.
If you wish to avoid sinus infections in the future, the doctor will recommend the following:
  • Avoid triggers like animal danders and dust mites
  • Avoid smoking at all costs
  • Drink extra fluids to help in thinning the nasal secretions.
Yes. In most cases, sinus infections can be treated with the help of minimal intervention. You can simply consult a primary care provider, and he/she will prescribe medicines that will treat the infection. However, in chronic sinus infection, you will have to see an ENT specialist get rid of the infection.
An acute sinus infection usually lasts from ten days to eight weeks. But a chronic infection may last for more than a month or even longer if not treated properly. You should always consult a doctor when you suspect that you have a sinus infection.
Yes. FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) is a safe and effective treatment method for sinus diseases. Before this technique was developed, the surgeons used to directly cut into the skim to find the problem and eliminate it. This increased the risk of infection, recovery time and also had aesthetic downsides. All this can be avoided with this technique, and it has other benefits as well.
The average time taken to perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is one to two hours. However, the exact time may vary due to some factors like severity of the condition, type of infection, or the doctor’s skills and expertise.
Yes. The mucus discharge will stop once the sinuses begin to clean themselves. And it may take around two to three weeks. Until then, you will have thick, brown drainage from your nose.
After having functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), the doctor will advise you against blowing your nose, straining, heavy lifting, etc., for at least 10 days after surgery.

Facts

  • Sinusitis can occur due to infection, allergies, chemicals, or other particles that cause irritation in the sinuses. 
  • Sinus infections usually don’t spread from one person to another. 
  • Sinusitis is classified into acute, subacute, chronic, infected, and noninfectious sinusitis. 
  • Complications of an untreated sinus infection include the development of conditions like meningitis, brain abscess, orbital cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and vision problems.  
  • Fungal sinus infections can be cured with the help of medicines as there are no vaccines available. 

 

Consult the Best ENT Surgeons For An Effective Solution of Sinus Diseases

Sinus diseases or sinusitis can be fatal if you don’t get proper treatment on time. The ears, nose, and throat are three organs that are very sensitive and related to each other. Any kind of disease that impacts either one of these organs can have a negative effect on the other. Thus, it is recommended that you become aware of the common ENT problems and seek an expert’s help as soon as the symptoms appear. 

We house a team of highly experienced ENT surgeons who are trained and certified to perform advanced surgeries like FESS. Our doctors will diagnose your condition thoroughly and determine the treatment method that will suit you best. You can rely on our doctor’s expertise and seek their help anytime. Throughout the years of medical practice, our doctors have gained ample knowledge and have superior skills that allow them to identify and resolve sinusitis and other ears, nose, and throat diseases with precision. 

 

What are the different methods to cure sinus infections?

The treatment of sinus infections usually depends on their underlying cause. Once the diagnosis is complete, the doctor identifies the causes and focuses on treating or eliminating the cause completely to ensure that you don’t have to suffer from sinusitis again. 

The methods to cure sinusitis permanently usually involve the following:

  • Using oral or intranasal corticosteroids reduces inflammation quickly and enhances breathing. 
  • Decongestant medications are also used to unblock the sinuses and reduce nasal congestion. 
  • Saline irrigation is another method that involves thinning the nasal passage secretions to alleviate the symptoms of a sinus infection as soon as they appear. 
  • Antibiotics are one of the most common methods to cure sinus infections that are caused by bacterias. 
  • Immunotherapy is a method that can be helpful to cure even chronic sinusitis. It involves prescribing immunotherapy treatments such as IV immunoglobulins that enhance the body’s ability to fight the infection and resolve the symptoms. 
  • Balloon sinuplasty is a surgical approach to treat chronic sinus disease. A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the sinus passages, and imaging guidance is used to inflate the balloon to widen the passage. Then the balloon is deflated and removed. 
  • FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) is an advanced approach to treat sinusitis. A lighted camera is used to visualize the inside, and a small instrument is used to remove the excess tissues, nasal cysts, or polyps to widen the sinuses. 

Even if you choose surgical treatment methods to resolve sinus infections, there are still possibilities that you may need medical therapies to reduce the symptoms and prevent sinus infections from coming back. 

An ENT specialist will guide you properly so that you can make an informed decision for the treatment of sinus diseases. Moreover, only a specialist can guide you properly to prevent future infections and advise you to implement the necessary healthy habits in your daily life. 

 

Book An Appointment With An ENT Doctor Today

Do not hesitate to reach out to us to consult the best ENT doctors. You can fill the appointment form, and we’ll get back to you shortly. We will schedule your consultation at the earliest so that you can discuss your problem with the doctor and get their help to resolve them quickly and effectively. 

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