Sinusitis is a common condition caused by inflammation of the sinuses. It is usually caused by a viral infection. The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities located behind the cheekbones and the forehead. The mucus produced by your sinuses usually flows into your nose through small passages. In sinusitis, these passages become blocked because the sinuses become inflamed. Sinusitis usually develops following an upper respiratory tract infection or a cold. If you have a persistent cold and start experiencing the following symptoms, you may have sinusitis.

A green or yellow discharge from your nose, a stuffy nose, pain and tenderness around your eyes or forehead, a high fever, a diminished sense of smell, and a foul odor on your breath.

Children with sinusitis may be irritable, breathe through their mouths, and have difficulty eating. Their speech may also sound nasal (as if they had a cold). Symptoms of sinusitis usually appear within a few weeks (acute sinusitis), but can sometimes last three months or longer (chronic sinusitis).

If your symptoms are getting much worse, if you’re experiencing frequent sinusitis flare-ups, and if your condition hasn’t started to improve even after about 7–10 days, your doctor can diagnose sinusitis by evaluating your symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve after trying the treatments you started with your doctor, you may need surgery to improve drainage from your sinuses, and you may be referred to an ENT specialist.

Triggering factors may include allergic rhinitis, asthma, the common cold, nasal polyps, smoking, and a weakened immune system. Ensuring that underlying conditions such as allergies and asthma are well-managed can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Treatment for Acute Sinusitis

Take good care of yourself at home; if your symptoms are mild and have lasted less than a week, you’ll usually feel fine until you see your healthcare provider. The following tips may help you feel better until you recover:

Use nasal sprays or drops to help you breathe more easily, but be sure not to use them for more than a week.

Apply warm compresses to your face to relieve your pain and help the mucus drain from your sinuses.

To relieve nasal congestion and reduce a runny nose, regularly rinse the inside of your nose with a saline solution.

If you have symptoms of chronic sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe steroid nasal drops or sprays to help reduce swelling in your sinuses. You may need to use these for a few months. Possible side effects to watch out for include nasal irritation, sore throat, and nosebleeds. If your symptoms do not improve despite trying the treatments listed above, surgery may be recommended. This is a procedure designed to improve the drainage of mucus from your sinuses. Possible side effects and risks of these procedures include temporary discomforts such as crusting inside the nose, nosebleeds, and infection.

Be sure to discuss the risks with your surgeon beforehand.

Dr. Nuran Kalekoğlu Erkalp