Chronic Sinusitis, a persisting inflammatory condition of occurrence of one or more Sinuses. It is less predominant than acute Sinusitis but more common in all age groups. Various treatments options are available. Surgical methods to improve sinus drainage have opted if other treatments fail, and it usually works well.
What is a Chronic Sinus infection?
A chronic sinus infection is a condition where the sinuses stay inflamed for more than 12 weeks despite treatment efforts. Many people confuse chronic sinus infection with a lingering cold or seasonal allergies; a chronic sinus infection often results from an ongoing underlying issue. These problems do not go away easily. However, it is essential to understand the main causes of chronic sinus infections and chronic sinus infection treatment to get well soon, especially in older people who often experience chronic sinus infection symptoms adults such as persistent pressure, fatigue, facial pain, and more.
How do you get chronic sinusitis?
Sinusitis affects the sinuses or nasal passages. Persistent Sinusitis is defined as chronic inflammation of the sinuses or nasal passages that lasts longer than 12 weeks. Recurrent Sinusitis is described as having more than four occurrences of Sinusitis in a year. Acute and chronic Sinusitis are evaluated and treated in the same way.
Chronic Sinusitis can manifest as one of three syndromes
- Chronic Sinusitis without nasal polyps,
- Chronic Sinusitis with nasal polyps or
- Allergic fungal Rhinosinusitis.
Several causes can contribute to chronic Sinusitis namely,
- Blocked airways caused by asthma, allergies or illnesses such as cystic fibrosis
- Infections that might be bacterial, viral or fungal
- Nasal structures that are not typical, namely, a deviated septum (the line of cartilage and bone down the middle of the nose that is crooked or off to the side)
- Polyposis (growths)
- A weakened immune system
Other diseases causing chronic Sinusitis includes,
- Asthma is a condition that causes chronic inflammation in your airways.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease of your digestive tract.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that weakens your immune system.
- Cystic fibrosis is a condition in which the mucus in your body builds up and doesn’t drain properly, often causing bacterial infections.
What are the symptoms of chronic Sinusitis?
The following are the three basic symptoms of Sinusitis:
- Nasal discharge or running nose that is purulent (green or yellow)
- Aches or pressure-like sensation in the face or teeth
- Pain in the affected sinus
- Nasal obstruction, causing difficulty in breathing via one or both nasal passages, as well as mouth breathing
Other chronic Sinusitis symptoms include Hyposmia (reduced sense of smell), headache, ear discomfort, halitosis (poor breath), tooth pain, cough and exhaustion. Symptoms of fever is an essential factor in assessing the severity of Sinusitis. You may also get another round of severe Sinusitis, exacerbating your symptoms.
Chronic sinus infection symptoms adults Should Look For
Chronic sinus infection symptoms adults tend to be more persistent and less intense. Usually older individuals ignore mild discomfort until it becomes chronic. Typical chronic sinus infection symptoms adults are as follows:
- Dull, aching facial pain that worsens when leaning forward
- Long-term nasal blockage or discharge
- Decreased productivity due to fatigue and poor sleep
- Postnasal drip causing chronic cough
- Brain fog or reduced concentration
- Sensitivity in the upper jaw
- Sometimes sensitivity in the teeth
How do you treat chronic Sinusitis?
Medical management
Nasal steroids should be administered in conjunction with or without nasal saline spray. The therapy should last at least 8-12 weeks with careful usage. Nasal saline spray is less effective than nasal steroids. It was discovered that high-volume nasal saline spray was more effective than low-volume nasal spray approaches. You can take antihistamines only if an allergic component is suspected. Decongestants can be used to relieve symptoms, but there is little evidence to support their use in chronic Sinusitis. Antibiotics can be administered during a three-week period. However, there is no agreement on their habitual usage in chronic Sinusitis nor on antibiotic selection. Antifungal empiric treatment should be avoided. Oral steroids are an option. However, their usage is not always recommended.
Nasal polyps
Chronic Sinusitis with polyps is treated with nasal steroids. If symptoms persist after 12 weeks, a short course of oral steroids can be prescribed. Leukotriene antagonists are also considered for the treatment.
Surgical management
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be prescribed for patients who fail medical management. It can serve as an adjunct to medical management in more complicated cases. This surgery aims to relieve obstructions, restore drainage and mucociliary clearance and ventilate the sinuses.
Complications of chronic sinusitis
The persistent symptoms of untreated chronic Sinusitis might be unpleasant, although significant consequences are uncommon. A sinus infection can (rarely) spread to other regions, such as the area around an eye, adjacent bones, the blood or the brain. Children are more vulnerable to problems than adults. Swelling or redness of an eyelid or cheek in a kid suffering from Sinusitis should be reported to a doctor as early as possible. Chronic Sinusitis consequences, such as infection spreading to the brain and causing meningitis, can prove to be fatal.
What If You Experience chronic sinus infections after sinus surgery?
Though surgery is often seen as a final solution, but after surgery also some people continue to experience chronic sinus infections after sinus surgery. Some causes of persistent infections post-surgery include:
- Incomplete removal of infected tissues
- Regrowth of nasal polyps
- Underlying immune disorders
- Scar tissue blocking sinus drainage
Once you have undergone sinus surgery, it is important to have ongoing follow-ups after surgery to make sure you have proper healing and avoid chronic sinus infections after sinus surgery. Post-operative care includes using saline rinses, avoiding allergens, and managing inflammation to minimise the recurrence of chronic sinus infections after sinus surgery.
The best antibiotic for chronic sinus infection depends on the type of bacteria involved. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include:
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin): Broad-spectrum coverage
- Clindamycin: Effective in penicillin-allergic patients
- Doxycycline: Used for atypical bacteria and resistant strains
- Levofloxacin: Reserved for severe cases due to potential side effects
Doctors often conduct a nasal culture to select the best antibiotic for chronic sinus infection.
In conclusion
Living with a chronic sinus infection can be frustrating, but understanding the causes of chronic sinus infections, recognising chronic sinus infection symptoms adults, and seeking the right chronic sinus infection treatment can provide long-term relief.
Chronic Sinusitis is the inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. If you have encountered chronic Sinusitis symptoms, which lasts for an extended period of time, schedule a doctor’s appointment.
