What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuses that can be caused by a fungus, bacteria, a virus, or an allergy . The paranasal sinuses are small, air-filled spaces; they are divided into frontal sinuses (located at the front of the skull, above the nose, in the forehead), ethmoid sinuses (located on the sides of the nose, between the bones), and maxillary sinuses (located in the cheeks). Under normal circumstances, air passes through the sinuses without difficulty; however, people with sinusitis have these spaces blocked and experience discomfort and difficulty breathing .
Inflammation of the sinus mucosa (sinusitis) is usually associated with inflammation of the mucosa of the nasal cavity (rhinitis), which is then called rhinosinusitis.
It is a very common pathology in the general population, it can present with a wide variety of symptoms and, in some cases, can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life .
Types of sinusitis
There are two types of sinusitis, which are determined by the duration of the disease and its symptoms:
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Acute sinusitis : It lasts less than 12 weeks. It is a very common condition, with an estimated prevalence of 6% to 15%. It is primarily caused by viral infections and is sometimes known as the common cold. It is more common during the winter.
It is estimated that 0.5% to 2% of these acute viral rhinosinusitis cases will progress to bacterial infection, characterized by purulent mucus, fever, severe unilateral pain, and worsening after the onset of recovery. In these cases, the use of systemic antibiotics is indicated.
- Chronic sinusitis : It lasts 12 weeks or longer. Its prevalence is estimated to be between 2% and 16% of the population. There are two main types: with and without polyps. Due to their chronic course and bothersome symptoms, the most severe subtypes of this sinusitis can significantly affect the patient's quality of life.
Symptoms of sinusitis
In the acute form of sinusitis, facial pain, pressure, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea (a profuse flow of nasal mucus), decreased sense of smell, and cough may also occur. Fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, and toothache may also occur.
Chronic sinusitis may present with: facial pain, a sensation of facial pressure, nasosinusal congestion, nasal obstruction, thick rhinorrhea, posterior rhinorrhea, and the presence of pus in the nasal cavity.
Occasionally, fever may also occur, leading to headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Symptoms may persist for 12 weeks or more.
The most common symptoms are:
- Facial pain.
- Nasal obstruction.
- Rhinorrhea (nasal mucus).
- Postnasal drip.
- Decreased sense of smell.
- Headaches.
Causes of sinusitis
The main causes of this pathology are: infections , whether viral (the most frequent), bacterial and fungal . Other causes are related to the patient's own inflammatory and immune system mechanisms.
Factors that predispose to sinusitis:
- Climate variations: Colder seasons and increased humidity predispose to a higher likelihood of sinusitis.
- Tobacco: Both being an active smoker and being exposed to tobacco smoke are predisposing factors for this pathology.
- Environmental or occupational exposure to pollution, irritants used in industry, and exposure to smoke.
- Individual anatomical variations (septal and nasal septum deviations, underdevelopment of the paranasal sinuses, a nasal bone spur, or the presence of nasal polyps).
- Allergies: relationship not clear with acute sinusitis, but demonstrated in the case of chronic sinusitis, along with the asthma .
- Associated diseases: mucociliary clearance disorders (the cilia or hairs located inside the paranasal openings are unable to remove mucus due to some condition), cystic fibrosis , vasculitis .
- Having a weak immune system, due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or treatments such as chemotherapy .
- Hypertrophy of adenoids (lymphatic tissue found in the airways between the nose and the back of the throat).
- Subjection to forces such as gravity and pressure: flying, diving, mountaineering, etc.
How to prevent sinusitis?
- Prevents upper respiratory tract infections. Try to stay away from people who have colds or other infections. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before meals.
- Control your allergies. Work with your doctor to keep your symptoms under control.
- Avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air. Tobacco smoke and pollutants can irritate and inflame the lungs and nasal passages.
- Use a humidifier. If the air in your home is dry, such as with forced-air heating, adding moisture to the air can help prevent sinusitis. Make sure your humidifier is always clean and mold-free by thoroughly cleaning it regularly.
