Chronic sinusitis is a constant inflammation of the sinuses that is difficult to treat and can be caused by multiple factors, including bacteria and airborne irritants. Symptoms include congestion, pain, fever, and discharge, and can lead to complications such as respiratory issues and polyps. Diagnosis involves CT scans and nasal endoscopy, and treatment options range from antibiotics and nasal irrigation to surgery.
Chronic sinusitis is one of several examples of inflammation of the sinuses. With this condition, the inflammation does not come back; instead it is constant and tends not to respond well to some of the medications and treatments that work with other forms of the condition. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of this type of sinusitis, making it difficult to identify a single treatment that works in all situations.
The causes of chronic sinusitis are not fully understood and often involve more than one factor leading to the development of the disease. Sinus inflammation can be the result of the presence of bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus or staphylococcus aerobes combined with smaller, airborne irritants such as pollen, dust mites, or some fungal agent in the nose.
Some of the symptoms of chronic sinusitis include a constant feeling of congestion in the nasal passages, often accompanied by a general sense of pain or discomfort in the facial area surrounding the nasal cavity. A headache is also often present, along with a low-grade fever. It is not unusual for the individual suffering from this condition to also feel listless and run down in general. As the condition progresses, a yellow or green discharge from frequent sneezing or coughing is likely to appear. There may also be some cases of blurred vision or dizziness.
As the condition worsens, chronic sinusitis can begin to negatively impact related systems, resulting in complications such as an acute respiratory condition and the development or increase in size of polyps. As these other conditions strain the body’s natural defenses, sinus problems continue to get worse, sometimes to the point that hospitalization becomes necessary.
Confirmation of the presence of chronic sinusitis usually involves the use of a CT scan along with a nasal endoscopy. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can begin to be administered, depending on the particular set of factors involved. In some cases, a combination of antibiotics and nasal irrigation will be enough to relieve symptoms and kick-start the healing process. Advanced situations may require nasal surgery to remove polyps, clear the nasal passages or make changes to the structure of the nasal passages. In most cases, surgery is considered the final option and is only used when all other current treatment options have failed to successfully manage the infection.
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