Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis, often known as Sinusitis, is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. The sinuses produce thin mucus, which gets expelled through the nasal passages. This drainage assists in keeping the nose clean. Air is present in healthy sinuses. But bacteria can grow and spread infection when they clog up and fill with fluid.

Types of Sinuses near nose and eyes:

1. Paranasal Sinuses are found in your head, close to your nose and eyes.
2. Ethmoidal Sinuses are situated in between your eyes.
3. Maxillary Sinuses are situated below the eyes.
4. Sphenoidal Sinuses are located behind the eyes.
5. Above the eyes are Frontal Sinuses.

Signs and symptoms

1. Facial pressure, especially in the area around the eyes, nose, and forehead
2. Ear and tooth pain
3. Headache
4. Fever
5. Bad breath (Halitosis)
6. Weakness
7. Stuffy nose 
8. Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
9. Loss of smell

Causes

1. A virus, bacteria or fungus may cause an infection which results in swelling and blockage of sinuses.
2. Mould allergies, as well as nasal and seasonal allergies.
3. Nasal polyps
4. Deviated septum
5. A weakened immune system is caused by disease or drugs.

Risk factors 

1. Smoking
2. Recent Cold
3. Continuous use of decongestant sprays
4. Allergies 
5. Asthma
6. Long-term disorders like Cystic fibrosis, HIV infection, Diabetes etc
7. Nasal blockage
8. Head Injury

1. Pain and discomfort
2. Rarely, untreated sinusitis can result in meningitis, a brain abscess, or a bone infection.

Disease Progression

1. Acute Rhinosinusitis: It could begin suddenly and last for two to four weeks.
2. Subacute Sinusitis: Generally, it lasts four to twelve weeks.
3. Chronic Sinusitis: Symptoms continue for at least a year.
4. Recurrent Sinusitis: It happens repeatedly.

The following tests diagnose Rhinosinusitis: 

1. Allergy Test: A skin test for allergies may be advised by your doctor to diagnose Rhinosinusitis. Skin testing is rapid, safe, and can identify the allergen causing your nasal flare-ups.
2. Nasal and Sinus Discharge Samples: A doctor may use a swab to gather samples from within your nose that could be used to identify bacteria, viruses or fungi.
3. Imaging Tests: Details of your sinuses and nasal area can be seen in CT or MRI images. These may identify a physical obstruction or deep inflammation, such as polyps, tumours, or fungi, that is difficult to find with an endoscope.
4. Examination of Sinuses: A doctor can view the interior of your sinuses by inserting a thin, flexible tube with a fibre-optic light into your nose.

Depending upon the severity treatment is provided:

1. Over-the-counter medications along with Decongestants.
2. Nasal irrigation with saline.
3. Sinusitis is a viral infection; therefore, the consumption of fluids will help.
4. If there is no improvement in symptoms after ten days of antibiotics, steroid sprays for the sinuses. Spray and drops should not be used for more than three to five days; they may worsen congestion.
5. By focusing on the underlying issue, Chronic sinusitis may be treated. Usually, this is treated by the following:
   1. Sprays of intranasal steroids. 
   2. Oral tablets or topical antihistamine sprays. 
   3. Leukotriene antagonists to lessen allergic reactions and swelling. 
   4. Rinsing the nose with saline solutions.
6.  Sinus surgery may be required when the infections are persistent or recurrent. Chronic Sinusitis is most frequently treated with sinus surgery. The types of Surgeries are as follows:
   1. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Nasal endoscopes, which are tiny tubes with lights and lenses, are used by doctors to treat sinus pain without making an incision into the nose or the surrounding tissue. A nasal endoscope is used to look through the nostril to view the nose's sinus openings and interior.
   2. Image-guided Surgery: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is frequently carried out using an image-guided method that uses computed tomography (CT) images to help the surgeon identify the anatomy and remove just the correct amount of tissue.

Consult a doctor if you have the following

1. Symptoms like Facial pressure, Bad breath, Fever etc., persist for more than a few days to months.
2. If the condition is interfering with day-to-day life.