Sinusitis

There are air-filled cavities within the facial bones. We call these sinuses.
If the sinuses fill up, inflammation occurs, and this is called sinusitis.
There is an important point here: Sinusitis is not a disease, but a consequence.
Sinuses do not become diseased on their own. If the drainage inside the sinuses is
disrupted, that is, if there is a blockage, sinusitis develops.
Therefore, the main goal in treatment is not the sinusitis itself, but to eliminate the
underlying cause.

Causes of Sinusitis

The main reasons that prevent the drainage of the sinuses are:
Upper respiratory tract infections (colds, flu)
Septum deviation (curvature of the nasal bone)
Enlarged turbinates (nasal polyps)
Allergic rhinitis
Nasal polyps
Dental infections
These factors disrupt the natural drainage of the sinuses and lead to sinusitis.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of sinusitis:
Nasal congestion
Headache
Thick nasal discharge
Feeling of fullness and pressure in the face
Post-spit
Reduced sense of smell
Pain in the forehead and cheeks
Sensitivity in the upper teeth

Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

The most common confusion lies in distinguishing between acute and chronic sinusitis.
Acute sinusitis: Lasts less than 4 weeks.
Chronic sinusitis: Lasts longer than 12 weeks.
There is also recurrent sinusitis. This can be confused with chronic sinusitis, but the
treatment approach is different.
Acute and recurrent sinusitis usually respond well to medical treatment. In chronic
sinusitis, however, the underlying cause must be investigated.

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Sometimes allergic rhinitis or deviated septum can be confused with sinusitis.
In diagnosis:
Detailed ENT examination
Endoscopic nasal examination
are essential.
Computed tomography may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis. However, caution
should be exercised regarding tomography.
Due to radiation:
It should not be performed unnecessarily.
It should be requested in cases that do not improve for a long time.
Or if surgery is planned.

Treatment

The first step in treatment is medical treatment:
Antibiotics (if needed)
Nasal sprays
Decongestants
Nasal irrigation
Allergy treatment

Surgical Treatment

The basic principle in surgical treatment is: to correct the source of the blockage.
For example:
If there is a deviation, it is corrected.
If there is turbinate enlargement, it is reduced.
These procedures often largely solve the sinusitis problem.
The aim is to preserve the natural structure of the sinus. Unnecessary intervention
inside the sinuses is not correct.
If:
If there is a polyp, it is removed.
If the problem persists despite all these procedures,
then Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) can be performed.

Conclusion

The most important point in sinusitis treatment is: to treat the cause, not the infection.
Unnecessary interventions can disrupt the natural structure of the sinuses and lead to
worse results. Therefore, correct diagnosis and the correct step-by-step treatment
approach are very important.