Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Sinusitis is a common condition in which the tissues lining the sinuses become inflamed or swollen. It can cause nasal blockage, facial pain or pressure, headache, nasal discharge and difficulty breathing through the nose. Sinusitis may occur after a viral infection such as a common cold, due to allergies, or because of structural problems inside the nose.

At Nova Hospital, Meerut, patients can receive comprehensive evaluation and treatment for sinusitis and other ENT conditions based on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

What is Sinusitis?

The sinuses are air-filled spaces located around the nose, cheeks, eyes and forehead. They help humidify the air we breathe and are connected to the nasal passages through small openings.

When these openings become blocked, mucus can accumulate and the sinus lining may become inflamed. This can result in sinusitis, sometimes also referred to as a sinus infection.

Sinusitis may be:

Acute sinusitis – symptoms develop suddenly and usually occur following a respiratory infection.

Chronic sinusitis – inflammation persists for a prolonged period or keeps recurring.

Recurrent sinusitis – multiple episodes occur over a period of time.

What Causes Sinusitis?

Several factors can contribute to sinus inflammation, including:

Viral respiratory infections and common cold

Bacterial infections in some cases

Allergic rhinitis

Nasal polyps

Deviated nasal septum

Narrow or blocked sinus drainage pathways

Recurrent upper respiratory infections

Exposure to smoke and other irritants

Certain dental infections that can affect the nearby maxillary sinus

Understanding the underlying cause is important because treatment may differ from one patient to another.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Common symptoms may include:

Blocked or stuffy nose

Facial pain, pressure or heaviness

Headache

Thick nasal discharge

Post-nasal drip

Reduced or altered sense of smell

Difficulty breathing through the nose

Cough, particularly at night

Sore throat

Bad breath

Fever in some cases

Tiredness or a feeling of pressure around the eyes and cheeks

Symptoms can vary depending on whether sinusitis is acute, chronic or associated with allergies.

Sinusitis vs Common Cold

Sinusitis and a common cold can have similar symptoms, which can make them difficult to distinguish.

A cold generally improves with time, whereas persistent or recurrent nasal blockage, facial pressure, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell or symptoms that repeatedly return may require evaluation by an ENT specialist.

Self-medication with antibiotics is not recommended, as many cases of sinusitis are not caused by bacteria.