Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

What is Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)?

Sinusitis refers to the swelling or inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are air-filled cavities that lie within the bones of the face. They are responsible for keeping the inside of the nose moist by producing mucus. There are usually four types of sinuses-

• Ethmoid sinus – Between the eyes
• Frontal sinus – Behind the forehead
• Maxillary sinus – Behind the cheekbones
• Sphenoid sinus – Under the base of the skull

When an individual is suffering from sinusitis, sinuses are filled with fluid causing germs to grow and cause an infection. Sinusitis can be caused due to various factors such as the common cold, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps (small growth in the lining of the nose), deviated septum, allergies, smoke in the environment, etc. In India, around 15% population is affected by sinusitis and paranasal sinus (PNS). Chronic sinusitis affects approximately 24 million Indians annually, making it more common than diabetes, asthma, and coronary heart disease.

FESS or functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat blocked sinuses or chronic sinus infections. The doctor uses an endoscope to remove polyps, affected tissues, mucus, etc., to restore normal breathing and proper sinus ventilation.

How Does Sinusitis Occur?

Sinusitis can occur in adults as well as children. There are several causes and risk factors that contribute to the progression of inflamed sinuses –

• Nasal polyps – The abnormal tissue growth can block the nasal passage leading to the accumulation of mucus, causing sinusitis.
• Deviated nasal septum – An abnormal or crooked nasal septum can also progress sinusitis due to the restricted or blocked passage around the sinus. This can even worsen the symptoms of sinusitis.
• Miscellaneous medical conditions – There can be complications related to medical conditions concerning the immune system, such as HIV, cystic fibrosis, etc., that can lead to nasal blockage and eventually sinusitis.
• Respiratory tract infections – There can be several viral or bacterial infections in your respiratory tract that cause common colds. The inflammation and thickening of your sinus membranes cause mucus blockage.
• Allergies – Several allergies can cause hay fever that can block your sinuses, causing inflammation.

Types, Causes and Symptoms of Sinusitis

Types Of Sinusitis:

1. Acute sinusitis
2. Subacute Sinusitis
3. Chronic Sinusitis
4. Recurrent Sinusitis

Causes of Sinusitis:

• Allergies
• Nasal polyps
• Deviated nasal septum
• Respiratory tract infections
• Miscellaneous medical conditions

Symptoms of Sinusitis:

• Fatigue and headache
• Sore throat and cough
• Postnasal drainage and nasal inflammation
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Aching in your ear, upper jaw, and teeth
• Pain and swelling around eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead
• Difficulty in breathing

Diagnosis of Sinusitis

Test:

There are different tests to determine the condition of your sinusitis. There are several tests to determine the severity of your sinuses based on these tests. Some of the diagnostic tests are as follows –

• Imaging tests – Imaging tests such as CT scans and X-rays can help produce detailed images to pinpoint any inflammation or physical blockage due to polyps, tumors, or other abnormalities that may lead to the progression of acute or chronic sinusitis.
• Tests for existing allergies – An allergy can be a prime suspect for nasal blockage or chronic sinusitis. In that case, an allergy skin test is helpful to determine any allergen that is responsible for your nasal flare-ups.

Diagnosis by the doctor:

The ENT specialist will ask about your symptoms and feel the tenderness in your face and nose based on a physical examination. However, if that does not suffice, the doctor may recommend the following tests for a proper diagnosis –

• Nasal endoscopy – In this type of diagnosis, the ENT surgeon inserts a thin, flexible tube with a fiber-optic light in the nasal opening of your nose to examine any deviated nasal septum, polyps, or tumors.
• Nasal and sinus discharge samples – During acute sinusitis, the ENT surgeon collects a sample of nasal discharge via swab test. It helps the doctor determine any bacterial or fungal infection as the primary cause of sinusitis.

Severity of Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis:

This type of sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as facial pain, running nose, etc., and usually lasts for about 2 to 4 weeks.

Subacute Sinusitis:

This type of sinusitis usually lasts for about 4 to 12 weeks.

Chronic Sinusitis:

The symptoms of chronic sinusitis usually last for more than 12 weeks.

Recurrent Sinusitis:

The symptoms of recurrent sinusitis happen several times a year and can be severe if treatment is delayed.

Risks & Complications of Sinusitis

If left untreated:

• Mastoiditis – It refers to the inflammation or infection of the mastoid bone, which is one of the bones present in the head behind the ear.
• Brain abscess – Prolonged sinusitis leads to the development of a brain abscess, which occurs when the bacterial or fungal infection enters the brain tissues causing a pus-filled swelling in the brain.
• Orbital abscess – Untreated sinusitis can result in the accumulation of pus within the orbital soft tissue, which can be confirmed by imagery tests.
• Orbital cellulitis – It refers to the infection and swelling of the muscles around the eye, which can gradually become worse. It affects eyelids, eyebrows, and cheeks.
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis – Prolonged sinusitis results in complications that can result in a blood clot in the cavernous sinuses.
• Frontal or maxillary osteomyelitis – Complication of untreated sinusitis results in frontal or maxillary osteomyelitis. It refers to the inflammation of either the frontal or maxillary sinus bone that begins as an infection.

Prevention of Sinusitis

• Early preventive measures can help curb the progression of sinusitis and reduce the risk of major complications. Some of the preventive measures for sinusitis are as follows –
• Avoid respiratory infections – The patients must avoid contact with people already suffering from cold or respiratory infections. It is also important to frequently wash your hands with soap and water before meals.
• Be aware of your allergies – Patients must be aware of seasonal allergies and avoid exposure to allergic elements that can often lead to sinuses and other respiratory infections. Consult with your doctor for remedies to keep symptoms related to respiratory infections under control.
• Avoid exposure to polluted air – Patients must avoid frequent exposure to contaminated air or cigarette smoke that can irritate and inflame the lungs and nasal passages, causing several respiratory disorders.
• Use a humidifier – It is important that your surrounding air is purified and free of any impurities. A good quality humidifier can ensure good air quality along with clean air. You must make sure your air purifier is free of mold and cleaned thoroughly regularly.

When to Consult a Doctor ?

Consult an ENT doctor or specialist if you experience the following signs and symptoms –

• Severe pain, swelling, or redness around the eyes
• If the symptoms persist for more than one week
• Change in vision or experiencing double vision
• Symptoms that are getting worse with time
• Recurrent or chronic sinusitis
• A persistent fever
• Stiffness in neck

Insurance Coverage of Sinusitis

A FESS surgery is performed for the treatment of sinusitis that can lead to the inflammation of sinus cavities inside several breathing problems and congestion. Prolonged sinusitis can lead to serious health issues in children as well as adults. The patients need FESS surgery to get rid of congestion, cough, and chronic headaches. Many insurance companies in India cover FESS surgery. However, there is a possibility that the medical insurance coverage may differ from one policy to another. There are other payment options to pay for the treatment if you are looking for a FESS surgery. A few of the insurance providers that may cover FESS treatment are as follows:

• Star Health Insurance
• New India Health Insurance
• Bajaj Allianz
• Religare
• ICICI Lombard

Benefits of Choosing Pristyn Care for FESS

Pristyn Care is associated with some of the best multi-specialty hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country. We aim to ease the process of accessing advanced treatment and surgeries for each individual at minimal costs. We have some of the best ENT surgeons and specialists with years of experience in FESS to ensure a very high success rate. Pristyn Care is a full-stack healthcare provider that performs outpatient surgeries that are minimally invasive in nature with a faster recovery duration. Some of the benefits of choosing Pristyn Care are –

• Highly experienced ENT surgeons- Our team of ENT surgeons are fully trained and certified to perform advanced surgeries with a success rate of over 90% and offer comprehensive treatment. Our ENT surgeons will discuss all the necessary information about FESS prior to the procedure to make you aware of the procedure and certain risks involved during the treatment.
• Insurance approval– Pristyn Care assists with the insurance approval for FESS within 30 minutes. However, the insurance approval depends on the type of your insurance company and the terms and conditions set by them. Our team of experts will do their best to help you claim any benefits from the medical insurance.
• Flexible payment options– Pristyn Care offers various modes of payment for FESS with no cost EMI. In addition, we accept credit cards and cash payments for the procedure.
• Free pick-up and drop facility– Pristyn Care provides free cab services for pick-up and drop-off to each patient within the city on the day of FESS surgery.
• Free follow-up consultation- Recovery plays an essential role in the treatment. Pristyn Care provides free follow-up consultation along with proper diet charts to all patients who have undergone FESS surgery for a quicker and smoother recovery process.
• COVID-19 safe environment – During the time of the COVID crisis, Pristyn Care ensured proper sanitization of all the OTs and clinics before each surgery to curb the spread of COVID-19. It is our top priority to maintain excellent hygiene and social distancing while providing a seamless patient experience.

Booking an Appointment with the best ENT surgeon for FESS

Pristyn Care has some of the best ENT doctors with years of experience specializing in sinusitis surgeries. All the specialists are well-trained and upskilled in performing advanced treatment for the best outcomes with almost no risks. You can book an appointment with the ENT doctors at Pristyn Care for sinusitis surgery in the following ways:

• Fill out the patient form on our website www.pristyncare.com. Our medical coordinators will reach out to you at the earliest and gather details from your end once the appointment form is submitted. They will subsequently fix an appointment with the concerned ENT specialist according to your schedule.
• Connect directly with our medical coordinators via the contact number on our website. A team of dedicated medical coordinators will gather inputs from your end connect you with the ENT doctor near your area and book an appointment consecutively.
• You can also book an appointment through our Pristyn Care app. Our medical coordinators will arrange an offline or online consultation with our ENT experts near your area at the earliest via video call. A nominal consultation fee will be charged.