Sinusitis FAQs - Qoctor your quick online doctor

Can you do anything to stop getting sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:26:00 +0000

It is not necessarily possible to entirely avoid getting sinusitis, but some strategies that may help include:

avoid smoking/smoke exposure/air pollution exposure
proactively manage any hay fever or dust allergies with appropriate treatment- get advice from your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
avoid exposure to respiratory viruses, stay away from people who are known to be unwell with common colds/flus.
some people find using an air humidifier in their living space can help, particularly if their home heating/air conditioning system causes the air to be very dry. Humidifiers need to be properly cleaned/ maintained, to avoid mold developing.

If you are getting frequent sinus infections despite taking the above steps, speak to your doctor for advice.

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What is the best treatment for sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:24:07 +0000

In most cases, sinusitis gets better by itself, after a few days/weeks. Supportive treatment can include:

saline nasal sprays
decongestant sprays (for a limited period of time- always read the label! Overuse can lead to “rebound” or worsening symptoms.)
anti allergy nasal sprays (which may contain corticosteroids and/or an antihistamine)
simple over the counter analgesia (painkillers) from the pharmacy
antihistamine medications (if allergies are contributing to your symptoms)

Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed where it appears there may be a bacterial sinus infection that is not getting better by itself.

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Are there risk factors for getting sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:21:42 +0000

In most cases, sinusitis follows on from a common cold or flu like illness. However, some other conditions can make sinusitis more likely to occur, such as:

hay fever
smoking or passive smoking
physical abnormalities in the nose/sinuses that affect drainage- e.g. a deviated septum or polyps.
a compromised immune system
a medical condition such as Cystic Fibrosis

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What is chronic sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:18:57 +0000

In some cases, a bout of sinusitis can continue for more than 3 months- this is known as chronic sinusitis. Some people who suffer from chronic sinusitis continue to have mild symptoms on an ongoing basis, with flare ups of acute sinusitis from time to time. Serious complications of acute sinusitis are rare, but can include meningitis, cellulitis (skin/soft tissue infection), and spread of bacterial infection to other parts of the body.

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How is sinusitis diagnosed?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:17:38 +0000

In the majority of cases, sinusitis can be diagnosed based on the history of your symptoms. Sometimes a doctor may recommend further testing, such as a scan/imaging, if symptoms are continuing for months. If you have ongoing or frequently recurring symptoms, you may also need to be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist who may wish to perform a camera test (nasal endoscopy), to take a closer look at your nasal passages and sinuses. A nasal swab to test for certain infections, or tests to check for allergies may also be occasionally considered in such cases.

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Does acute sinusitis get better by itself?

aifricboylan — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:15:57 +0000

Yes, in most cases, acute sinusitis gets better after a few weeks, with simple, supportive treatment, such as rest, fluids and over-the-counter nasal sprays/painkillers, However, in some cases, if it is getting worse or not settling in the expected timeframe, a doctor may consider prescribed treatments.

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What is chronic sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:35:50 +0000

Sinusitis that lasts longer than 12 weeks is said to be “chronic”. Some people suffer from mild chronic sinusitis and experience flare ups where it becomes “acute” and more symptomatic.

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What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

aifricboylan — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:33:48 +0000

The most common symptoms of acute sinusitis are:

facial pain or pressure that feels worse when you lean forward/bend over.
congested or stuffy nose
nasal discharge which may be yellow/green

Other symptoms include:

A sense of pressure in the ears
Headache
Impaired sense of smell
An ache in your teeth
Cough
Halitosis (bad breath)
Fatigue
Fever

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