What to Know About Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a condition that occurs when the tissue lining around the nasal passages (sinuses) becomes inflamed or infected due to excessive accumulation of mucus. Sinuses are air-filled cavities within the facial bones that produce mucus to keep the inner portion of the nose moisturised and prevent allergic reactions. When healthy sinuses get clogged with fluid, bacteria, germs, and polyps tend to grow and irritate the nasal passage. Many adults in Singapore are likely to develop sinus infection at some point in their lives.

Sinusitis can be classified into two types: acute and chronic sinusitis. In acute sinusitis, most patients usually exhibit symptoms similar to those of common colds, such as a runny nose and facial pain or pressure that may last from a few days to 4 weeks. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis is characterised by nasal congestion, facial pressure and a loss of smell that persists for more than three months despite medical treatment.

Patients may experience some common sinusitis symptoms for more than 12 weeks. These include a nasal discharge that is dense, yellow or green in colour, nasal congestion, mucus leakage from the throat (post-nasal drip), facial pressure and tenderness, impaired smell, tooth pressure or pain, bad breath (halitosis), headache, and fever.

For the diagnosis of sinusitis, the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist may perform a nasal endoscopic examination in which a flexible endoscope is inserted into the nose to examine the nasal passages and determine the presence of polyps or growths, purulent discharge or any abnormalities in the sinuses. In addition, ENT specialists may use other diagnostic tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and allergy testing.

Most cases of sinusitis resolve without medical treatment, and instead use at-home remedies such as decongestants, nasal saline rinses, and steam inhalation. If bacterial infections and other symptoms are present for a few days, doctors may prescribe antibiotics and prescription nasal corticosteroids to help manage sinus inflammation. Patients may undergo surgery if they are experiencing a chronic or serious sinus infection. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a non-invasive procedure used to remove polyps or mucus that cause nasal blockages.