Common questions about the symptoms, causes and treatment options for sinusitis.

Can you do anything to stop getting sinusitis?

It is not necessarily possible to entirely avoid getting sinusitis, but some strategies that may help include: avoid smoking/smoke exposure/air pollution exposure proactively manage any hay fever or dust allergies with appropriate treatment- get advice from your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. avoid exposure to respiratory viruses, stay away from people who are [...]

What is the best treatment for sinusitis?

In most cases, sinusitis gets better by itself, after a few days/weeks. Supportive treatment can include: saline nasal sprays decongestant sprays (for a limited period of time- always read the label! Overuse can lead to "rebound" or worsening symptoms.) anti allergy nasal sprays (which may contain corticosteroids and/or an antihistamine) simple over the counter analgesia [...]

Are there risk factors for getting sinusitis?

In most cases, sinusitis follows on from a common cold or flu like illness. However, some other conditions can make sinusitis more likely to occur, such as: hay fever smoking or passive smoking physical abnormalities in the nose/sinuses that affect drainage- e.g. a deviated septum or polyps. a compromised immune system a medical condition such [...]

What is chronic sinusitis?

In some cases, a bout of sinusitis can continue for more than 3 months- this is known as chronic sinusitis. Some people who suffer from chronic sinusitis continue to have mild symptoms on an ongoing basis, with flare ups of acute sinusitis from time to time. Serious complications of acute sinusitis are rare, but can [...]

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

In the majority of cases, sinusitis can be diagnosed based on the history of your symptoms. Sometimes a doctor may recommend  further testing, such as a scan/imaging, if symptoms are continuing for months. If you have ongoing or frequently recurring symptoms, you may also need to be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist [...]

Does acute sinusitis get better by itself?

Yes, in most cases, acute sinusitis gets better after a few weeks, with simple, supportive treatment, such as rest, fluids and over-the-counter nasal sprays/painkillers, However, in some cases, if it is getting worse or not settling in the expected timeframe, a doctor may consider prescribed treatments.

What is chronic sinusitis?

Sinusitis that lasts longer than 12 weeks is said to be "chronic". Some people suffer from mild chronic sinusitis and experience flare ups where it becomes "acute" and more symptomatic.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The most common symptoms of acute sinusitis are: facial pain or pressure that feels worse when you lean forward/bend over. congested or stuffy nose nasal discharge which may be yellow/green Other symptoms include: A sense of pressure in the ears Headache Impaired sense of smell An ache in your teeth Cough Halitosis (bad breath) Fatigue [...]

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