Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, the air spaces in the bones around the nose and eyes. Acute sinusitis usually follows a cold and clears within a few weeks. Chronic sinusitis lasts twelve weeks or more and is often linked to allergy, nasal polyps or a deviated septum, with dust and harmattan as common triggers. In Nigeria many people live with years of 'catarrh' and headaches, treated with repeated antibiotics, when the underlying cause has never been assessed.
Find a ENT SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Blocked or stuffy nose
- Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose or down the throat
- Pain or pressure in the face, around the eyes, cheeks or forehead
- Reduced sense of smell
- Headache
- Cough, especially at night
- Ache in the upper teeth
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if symptoms last more than ten days, or improve and then get worse again. See an ENT surgeon if symptoms last more than twelve weeks, keep coming back, or you have lost your sense of smell or have bleeding from one side of the nose. Go to an emergency department immediately for swelling or redness around the eye, double or reduced vision, a severe headache with a stiff neck, or confusion, which can mean the infection has spread.
Treatment options
- Saline nasal rinses
- Steroid nasal sprays, used correctly for weeks
- Antibiotics only when a bacterial infection is likely
- Treating allergy with antihistamines and avoiding triggers
- CT scan of the sinuses and nasal endoscopy for long-standing symptoms
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) when medical treatment has failed
- Septoplasty if a deviated septum is blocking drainage
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Is catarrh the same as sinusitis?
Not always. 'Catarrh' is used for many things, including colds, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. Allergic rhinitis causes sneezing, itching and clear discharge; sinusitis usually causes facial pain, thick discharge and a blocked nose. They are treated differently.
Do I need antibiotics for sinusitis?
Most acute sinusitis is viral and clears within two to three weeks without antibiotics. They are used when symptoms are severe, last more than ten days, or get worse after improving.
Are decongestant nasal sprays safe?
Sprays such as oxymetazoline give quick relief but should not be used for more than about a week. Longer use causes rebound blockage, and many people become dependent on them.
Will sinus surgery cure my sinusitis?
Surgery opens the drainage pathways and helps when medical treatment has failed, but chronic sinusitis is often a long-term condition and most people still need nasal sprays afterwards.
Need Help?
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