Sinusitis
An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the sinuses resulting in symptoms / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses resulting in symptoms that may include thick nasal mucus, a plugged nose, and facial pain.[1][8]
Sinusitis | |
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Other names | Sinus infection, rhinosinusitis |
A CT scan showing sinusitis of the ethmoid sinus | |
Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
Symptoms | Thick nasal mucus, plugged nose, pain in the face, fever, sore throat, frequent attacks of cough[1][2][3][unreliable medical source?] |
Causes | Infection (bacterial, fungal, viral), allergies, air pollution, structural problems in the nose[2] |
Risk factors | Asthma, cystic fibrosis, poor immune function,[1] otitis media, laryngitis, bronchitis, orbital cellulitis, meningitis and encephalitis [4][unreliable medical source?] |
Diagnostic method | Usually based on symptoms[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Migraine[5] |
Prevention | Handwashing, avoiding smoking |
Treatment | Pain medications, nasal steroids, nasal irrigation, antibiotic[1][6] |
Frequency | 10–30% each year (developed world)[1][7] |
Sinusitis usually occurs in individuals with underlying conditions[9][unreliable medical source?] like allergies, or structural problems in the nose[2] and in people with lesser immunity against bacteria by birth.[9][unreliable medical source?] Most cases are caused by a viral infection.[2] Recurrent episodes are more likely in persons with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and poor immune function.[1] In early stages an ENT doctor confirms sinusitis using nasal endoscopy.[10][unreliable medical source?] Diagnostic imaging is not usually needed in acute stage[10] unless complications are suspected.[1] In chronic cases, confirmatory testing is recommended by either direct visualization or computed tomography.[1]
Some cases may be prevented by hand washing, immunization, and avoiding smoking.[2] Pain killers such as naproxen, nasal steroids, and nasal irrigation may be used to help with symptoms.[1][6] Recommended initial treatment for acute sinusitis is watchful waiting.[1] If symptoms do not improve in 7–10 days or get worse, then an antibiotic may be used or changed.[1] In those in whom antibiotics are used, either amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate is recommended first line, with amoxicillin/clavulanate being superior to amoxicillin alone but with more side effects.[11][1] Surgery may occasionally be used in people with chronic disease[12] or in someone who is not responding to medicines as per doctor's expectation.[13][unreliable medical source?]
Sinusitis is a common condition.[1] It affects between about 10 and 30 percent of people each year in the United States and Europe.[1][7] Chronic sinusitis affects about 12.5% of people.[14] Treatment of sinusitis in the United States results in more than US$11 billion in costs.[1] The unnecessary and ineffective treatment of viral sinusitis with antibiotics is common.[1]