Video language: Hindi
Sinusitis means inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces around the nose and eyes. It often follows a cold or an allergy, and it can be acute, lasting up to about four weeks, or chronic, lasting twelve weeks or longer.
Common Causes
- A viral cold that blocks the sinus openings.
- Allergies to dust, pollen or smoke.
- Bacterial infection after a cold.
- Structural problems inside the nose, such as a deviated septum or polyps.
- Smoke and pollution.
Common Signs
- A blocked or runny nose with thick discharge.
- Pressure or pain around the cheeks, forehead or eyes, often worse on bending forward.
- A reduced sense of smell.
- Postnasal drip, cough or a sore throat.
- Headache and tiredness.
When to See a Doctor Promptly
- Swelling or redness around the eyes, or changes in vision.
- A high fever, or a severe headache with a stiff neck.
- Symptoms that last more than ten days without improving, or that keep returning.
- Sinus symptoms in a young child that do not settle.
What Dr. Arpana Highlights
Dr. Arpana explains that sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, the air pockets in the skull. They normally hold air. When fluid collects and cannot drain, or an infection sets in, sinusitis follows. The sinuses warm and moisten the air you breathe in, and they add resonance to the voice, which is why a blocked sinus makes the voice sound heavy. They come in pairs: the maxillary sinuses under the eyes (the largest), the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses behind the eyes, and the frontal sinuses above them.
She describes acute sinusitis as one that settles within about four weeks, a longer-lasting one that goes on for up to three months, and sinusitis that keeps coming back, for example every season. Most cases follow a viral infection such as a cold. A bacterial infection can set in later if the problem lasts, and allergies or a deviated nasal septum can block drainage. Over time, long-standing sinusitis can thicken the lining of the nose or lead to polyps.
Her list of signs: a cold and cough, a blocked nose with mouth breathing and a nose that blocks at night, facial or cheek pain that is worse when bending forward or pressing, pain in the upper jaw, headache, fever, heavy discharge, and mucus draining down the back of the throat (post-nasal drip). A doctor may ask for an X-ray in long-standing cases. No outcome is promised, and prescribed medicines should not be stopped without your doctor's advice.
Everyday Measures From Dr. Arpana's Other Sinusitis Video
- Wash your hands before meals, avoid smoking, and avoid flying while your sinuses are blocked.
- Rinse the nose with salt water using a neti pot (Jala Neti). Use water that has been boiled and cooled, or distilled water, and keep the pot clean.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep the mucus thin, and rest.
- Take steam inhalation, or apply a warm compress over the sinuses, to thin the mucus.
- If you use a humidifier, keep it spotless, because a mouldy humidifier will make things worse.
- Food with pepper or mustard seed can help open the nose, and turmeric is widely used in Indian cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sinusitis the same as a cold?
A cold can lead to sinusitis, but sinusitis lasts longer and brings facial pressure and thick discharge.
Can allergies cause sinusitis?
Yes. Allergic swelling can block the sinus openings and keep the problem going.
Do I need a scan?
Your doctor decides this, usually for long-lasting or repeated sinusitis. Bring any earlier reports.
You can read our guide on cough, cold and allergy or book a consultation.
More on this topic: Cough, Cold and Allergy: signs and the homeopathic approach
This article is for general education. It is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or emergency care. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital.