Chronic sinusitis is a painful disease that requires proper treatment by an allergy physician. It is caused by an inflammation of the tissues that are lining the sinuses. When the healthy sinuses get blocked and air in these sinuses are replaced by a fluid then infections are at a higher chance to be caused. Below are mentioned the causes and symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
Causes of Chronic Sinusitis
Following are the common causes of chronic sinusitis:
Contact with Allergens
If you already have asthma especially Allergic asthma then your chances of chronic sinusitis get higher because the asthma attacks usually increase the pressure and inflammation in the sinuses. Allergic or asthma patients are likely to react to the nasal allergens, pollens and dust particles.
Growth of Nasal Polyps
The most common cause of chronic sinusitis is the growth of nasal polyps inside the nose. Nasal polyps are the tissues that grow in your nose causing an obstruction for breathing. Sometimes, nasal polyps are grown as a reaction to facial damage, nose damage or chronic infections.
Deviated Septum
Deviated septum means an irregular tissue wall between both of your nostril that causes constraint in the flow of air either in both or in one of the nostrils which ultimately results in difficulty in breathing.
Respiratory Tract Infections
Your respiratory tract includes your nose, lungs and the windpipe through which air flows in and out of your body, infection in any of these respiratory parts can trigger chronic sinusitis. Due to the swelling and inflammation of the nose, it becomes harder for the mucus to come out of the nose.
Weakened Immune System
There are a huge number of diseases that are capable of weakening your immune system. If the immune system gets weak, the strength of the body to fight against the invading germs and inflammation become pretty problematic.
Medical Condition
People having any of the following medical conditions are susceptible to chronic sinusitis:
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Cystic fibrosis
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
Innumerable symptoms of this disease are mentioned right down below:
- Unusual greenish or yellowish mucus discharge from your nose
- Congestion
- Unable to smell and taste food and drinks properly
- Dry and hard mucus obstructing the nasal passage
- Pain and pressure around eyes, nose, forehead and cheeks
- Feeling pain in your nose
- Sore throat
- Headaches because of pressure in your sinuses
- Inflammation in the nasal passage
- Continuous sneezing
- Postnasal draining
- Fever
- Soreness in the upper jaw and teeth
- Pain in ears
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Unpleasant breath
- Nausea
If you notice that any of these above-mentioned symptoms stay for 12 weeks or more then you are at a higher chance of getting chronic sinusitis. However, it is very important to seek a specialist so that they determine the actual cause of the disease, pinpoint your symptoms and provide an effective treatment.
Treatment
There are now many options for the treatment of this disease. However, the allergist chooses the treatment option depending on the condition of your infection. The treatment options include:
Medications
The easiest way to reduce the symptoms of chronic sinusitis is by taking proper medications. Your allergist would prescribe you some medicines that you SHOULD take regularly on time no matter what if you really want to minimize the symptoms as much as possible.
Nasal Irrigation
It is a highly effective way to clear your sinuses from every sort of mucus either hard or fluid type. In this method neti pots, saline sprays and other tools are used to drain out the impurities from your sinuses which helps in a great decrease in irritation of nasal passages. Along with the impurities, nasal infections are also flushed out.
Surgery
Surgeries are done in rare and severe cases. The two types of surgeries for chronic sinusitis are;
Septoplasty or rhinoplasty: The wall present between your nostrils are reshaped to allow proper breathing.
Endoscopic sinus surgery: Hindrance in your sinuses are removed by inserting a thin tube along with a camera into your sinuses.
Home Remedies
Many home remedies are used to reduce the inflammation and in relieving the swelling of sinuses.
It is highly recommended to visit an allergist specialist Manassas rather than figuring out the cause yourself as they are expert in their job and would provide you with the best and most efficacious treatment.
