Sinusitis is a common problem that negatively affects the quality of life of many people, can cause poor performance in work and business life, and can be treated with different methods.
There are some airy cavities in the bones around the nose. These are the cheek (maxillary), forehead (frontal), around the eye (ethmoid) and behind the eye (sphenoid) sinuses, and they are a pair. The mucosa, the covering that covers the inside of the nose and the entire airway, also covers the inside of the sinuses. Approximately one liter of cleansing secretion is produced daily from the membrane lining the nose and sinuses, and this secretion is swallowed unnoticed by washing the inside of the nose and sinuses every day. Each of the sinuses discharges its secretions into the nasal cavity through certain openings. This drainage is vital for the health of the sinuses.
Inflammation of these sinuses is frequently encountered and this condition is called sinusitis. Complaints in acute, that is, new-onset sinusitis, include headache, nasal congestion, fever, postnasal drip, and fullness in the face and head. Headaches are less common in chronic sinusitis. Complaints such as postnasal drip, nasal congestion, decreased sense of smell and chronic fatigue come to the fore.
The most important methods used in the diagnosis of sinusitis are endoscopic nasal examination and tomographic examination of the sinuses, in addition to the standard examination.
After sinusitis is diagnosed, its treatment varies depending on whether it is acute or chronic. A significant portion of acute sinusitis is caused by viruses. In fact, conditions such as colds and flu are a type of viral sinusitis. In sinusitis caused by viruses, supportive treatment is given and antibiotics are not recommended. However, if viral sinusitis does not improve within 7-10 days or if the complaints gradually intensify, antibiotic treatment is recommended. In chronic sinusitis where complaints persist for more than three months, long-term antibiotic treatment is recommended. This period is at least 3-4 weeks. Surgical treatment of sinusitis may be required if complications related to sinusitis develop, if there are frequently recurring sinusitis attacks, or if complaints related to chronic sinusitis are intense and do not respond to drug treatment.
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