Brain and ENT Clinic – Dr Lalit Mahajan In Nagpur & Dr Rachna Gangwani Mahajan In Nagpur

Chronic Sinus in Nagpur

Chronic Sinus in Nagpur, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis, is a long-term inflammation of the sinuses—air-filled cavities around the nasal passages. In this condition, the mucous membranes of the sinuses become inflamed and swollen for an extended period, often lasting for at least 12 weeks despite attempts at treatment.

Diagnosis is typically base on a combination of symptoms, medical history, and often imaging studies such as CT scans of the sinuses. In some cases, an endoscopy may be performe to visualize the nasal and sinus passages. In cases where conservative treatments are not effective or if structural issues are contributing to chronic sinusitis, surgery may be considere. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a common procedure to remove nasal polyps or correct structural abnormalities.

What are the Symptoms of chronic sinusitis?

  1. Nasal Congestion: Persistent blockage or obstruction of the nasal passages, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose.

  2. Facial Pain or Pressure: Discomfort or a feeling of pressure in the face, particularly around the forehead, eyes, and cheeks.

  3. Discolored Nasal Discharge: Thick, discolor mucus draining from the nose. The discharge may be yellow or green.

  4. Postnasal Drip: Mucus dripping down the back of the throat, leading to a persistent cough or throat irritation.

  5. Reduce Sense of Smell: A diminished ability to detect odors or a loss of the sense of smell.

  6. Persistent Fatigue: Chronic sinusitis can contribute to fatigue, possibly due to disrupted sleep patterns or the overall impact of chronic inflammation.

  7. Ear Fullness or Pressure: Sensations of fullness or pressure in the ears may occur, potentially leading to ear discomfort or a feeling of clogged ears.

  8. Headache: Chronic headaches, especially around the forehead or in the sinus areas, can be a symptom of chronic sinusitis.

What are the Treatments for Chronic Sinusitis?

  1. Nasal Corticosteroids: These are often the first-line treatment for chronic sinusitis. Nasal corticosteroid sprays, such as fluticasone or mometasone, can help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and sinus tissues. They are typically use on a long-term basis.

  2. Saline Nasal Irrigation: Rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution can help clear mucus, reduce inflammation, and improve symptoms. This can be done using a neti pot or a saline nasal spray.

  3. Antibiotics: If bacterial infection is suspect or identify, a course of antibiotics may be prescribe. However, chronic sinusitis is often not primarily cause by bacteria, so antibiotics may not always be the first-line treatment.

  4. Decongestants: Oral or nasal decongestants can provide temporary relief from nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages. However, they are generally recommende for short-term use due to the risk of rebound congestion with prolonge use.

  5. Antihistamines: If allergies contribute to chronic sinusitis, antihistamines may be recommende to manage allergic symptoms. However, these are not always effective for all individuals with chronic sinusitis.

  6. Systemic Corticosteroids:  a short course of oral corticosteroids may be prescribe to reduce inflammation and provide relief from symptoms.

  7. Immunotherapy: For individuals with chronic sinusitis relate to allergies, immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual tablets) may be considere to desensitize the immune system and reduce allergic responses.

  8. Surgery: In cases where conservative treatments are not effective, or if there are structural issues contributing to chronic sinusitis (such as nasal polyps), surgery may be considere. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a common procedure to remove polyps or correct anatomical abnormalities.