Sinusitis

The sinuses are the hollow spaces in your forehead, cheeks and around your nose. When the linings of your sinuses get inflamed, this is called sinusitis. As they’re inflamed, they become swollen, which blocks the normal drainage of mucus. This leads to mucus building up in your sinuses, creating a perfect environment for germs to grow, which can cause infection.

Types of sinusitis include:

• Acute: lasting less than four weeks
• Subacute: lasting between four to 12 weeks
• Chronic: lasting longer than 12 weeks

You could also get recurrent sinusitis, which is when you develop these symptoms multiple times a year.

The leading type of sinusitis is viral, but it can also be bacterial or fungal. Allergies, nasal polyps (small growths in the nose), and irritants like smoke or pollution can increase your risk.

Sinusitis causes a range of symptoms, with the most common being:

• Facial pain or pressure, around your forehead, cheeks, nose, or between your eyes
• Blocked nose, feeling congested or stuffy
• Yellow or green discharge from your nose
• Reduced sense of smell
• Fever, although this is much less common

You may also experience other symptoms, like:

• Headaches, caused by pressure buildup
• Toothache or jaw pain, due to sinus pressure
• Bad breath (halitosis), caused by trapped mucus and bacteria
• Cough, often worse at night

In children, symptoms may be slightly different. Symptoms for children include a persistent cough, irritability, breathing through the mouth, and difficulty feeding.

If your healthcare provider suspects you may have sinusitis, they’ll ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. They will ask about nasal congestion, facial pressure, mucus colour, and duration of your symptoms.

During the examination, they may gently press around the sinuses to check for tenderness and use a lighted instrument (otoscope) to look inside your nose for swelling, blockages, or discharge.

For severe or chronic cases, you may need additional tests, like:

• Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera inserted into your nose to examine the sinuses.
• Imaging scans (CT or MRI): If your doctor thinks there may be structural problems, like nasal polyps, they may use these tests.

You may also need allergy testing if allergies have triggered sinusitis, or lab tests to check for specific infections if your doctor thinks they may be relevant.

Most cases of sinusitis are diagnosed based on symptoms alone, without the need for advanced testing.

Most cases of sinusitis improve on their own, but some treatments can help relieve your symptoms.

Self-Care

Various self care options can help ease your symptoms, such as:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Resting to allow your body to fight the infection
• Taking pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce headaches and facial pain
• Saline rinses

Over-The-Counter Options

You can use over-the-counter decongestant sprays or tablets to reduce nasal swelling. But, you should only use these for a few days at a time as otherwise your symptoms could get worse.

Prescription Treatments

You can consult a licensed clinician for prescription options if standard over the counter treatments haven't worked. These options may include:

• Steroid nasal sprays, to reduce inflammation in chronic cases
• Antihistamines, which can help if allergies are a trigger for you
• Antibiotics, in the case of bacterial infections

Surgery is rarely needed, but may be considered for severe, long-term sinus problems that don’t respond to other treatments.

While some cases of sinusitis are unavoidable, you can reduce your risk of developing it by:

• Avoiding allergens and irritants: pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, and strong chemicals can trigger sinus issues
• Keeping nasal passages moist: use saline sprays or rinses to prevent dryness and irritation
• Managing stress: stress can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections
• Quitting smoking: smoking irritates and inflames the sinuses, making infections more likely
• Staying hydrated: drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus, preventing blockages
• Using a humidifier: dry air can worsen sinus inflammation, so keeping indoor air moist helps
• Washing your hands regularly: this can help you avoid colds and infections that can lead to sinusitis

Keeping your sinuses clear can reduce your chance of getting sinusitis.

To complement conventional treatments, there are several natural things that you can do alongside treatments to help relieve sinusitis symptoms.

• Steam inhalation: breathing in steam (with or without essential oils) helps loosen mucus and reduce congestion
• Warm compresses: applying a warm cloth to the face can relieve facial pain and pressure
• Essential oils: eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint oils may help open nasal passages when inhaled or used in a diffuser
• Anti-inflammatory foods: ginger, garlic, turmeric, and honey have natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may support healing
• Acupressure and acupuncture: some people find relief by stimulating pressure points around the sinuses, though scientific evidence is limited

It’s important to remember that you should use these alongside medical treatments, not instead of them. If your symptoms continue or get worse, you should seek medical advice.