Rhinosinusitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

2024-01-26 07:34:02

Diagnosis is required as symptoms are similar to those of rhinitis and colds, such as postnasal drip
“Be careful because if left untreated, it can lead to complications such as asthma.”

Cho Myung-jun, head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center at Daedong Hospital (otolaryngologist). (Photo = Daedong Hospital)

[서울파이낸스 (부산) 강혜진 기자] Within the facial bones, there are paranasal sinuses, which are empty spaces, such as the maxillary sinus located within each cheekbone and the ethmoid sinus located on both sides of the nose.

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity, the inside of the nose, through small passages, which ventilate the inside of the nose with outside air and discharge secretions naturally. During this process, if bacteria or viruses penetrate and inflammation occurs, the mucous membrane swells or nasal mucus cannot drain and accumulates, resulting in rhinosinusitis.

It is also commonly called sinusitis or sinusitis, but in most cases, sinusitis rarely occurs alone without rhinitis, so rhinosinusitis is the correct expression.

The main symptoms of rhinosinusitis include a runny nose and stuffy nose, as well as postnasal drip, where a large amount of mucus from the nose or sinuses flows down the back of the throat, facial pain, and loss of sense of smell. It may also be accompanied by headache, ear pain, toothache, bad breath, cough, fatigue, and fever.

For diagnosis, the main symptoms and nasal examination are performed through consultation with a specialist. If necessary, radiological tests such as X-rays, endoscopy, CT, and MRI are performed.

Rhinosinusitis is classified into acute rhinosinusitis occurring within 4 weeks of symptom onset, subacute rhinosinusitis occurring between 4 and 12 weeks, and chronic rhinosinusitis lasting more than 12 weeks.

In most cases, the condition improves with drug treatment such as antibiotics, but if it becomes chronic and does not improve even with drug treatment, or if complications occur due to orbital or intracranial inflammation, surgical treatment may be considered.

Cho Myeong-jun, head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “Rhinosinusitis is similar to symptoms such as rhinitis or colds, so it is not easy for the general public to differentiate, so if abnormal symptoms occur, you should visit the ENT department and receive diagnosis and treatment at an appropriate time.” “If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as asthma, bronchitis, and facial cellulitis, so be careful,” he advised.

Occasionally, nasal irrigation is performed to treat rhinosinusitis. When washing your nose, you must use saline solution. Using other solutions can cause damage to the nasal mucosa, and nasal irrigator must be disinfected frequently in boiling water to prevent bacterial infection.

Also, if you wash your nose too vigorously, the saline solution may enter your ears and cause otitis media, and if you have frequent nosebleeds, it may irritate the nasal mucosa and cause nosebleeds.

To prevent rhinosinusitis, there are the following: △Manage personal hygiene △Beware of respiratory diseases such as colds △Maintain appropriate indoor temperature and humidity △Indoor cleanliness and ventilation △Be careful of exposure to cigarette smoke and chemicals.

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