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Publication: The Times Of India Bangalore;Date: Jan 3, 2011;Section: Bangalore Times;Page: 24

SUFFERING FROM SINUSITIS?

Here’s what causes it and ways to treat it

It’s cold these days and you could even say that is the season to catch colds. But what if what you think is a cold is actually a bad
sinusitis condition? When you wake up in the mornings, do you often feel lousy because your head feels heavy and this feeling persists
throughout the day? Do you often suffer from cold accompanied by headaches and feel tired? Do you also suffer from cough and
throat infections accompanied by a cold? Do your symptoms fail to cease inspite of medications? If you’ve answered yes to even two
of the above four questions, then you might be suffering from sinusitis.

WHAT IS IT?

“Sinusitis is the swelling of the inner lining of the sinuses. The sinuses are the spaces between the bones in the face where air passes
and where a fluid called mucus drains into the nose.Sinusitis is quite common. It feels much like a cold, with a stuffy or runny nose and
a headache,” says Dr N Khousla, ENT specialist.

Sinuses are the moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose. These cavities are also known as paranasal sinuses
and include:

Frontal sinuses that are located in the area near the eyebrows.

Maxillary sinuses that are located inside the cheekbones.

Ethmoid sinuses that are located between the eyes.

Sphenoid sinuses that are located behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

ENT surgeon Dr Samir K Bhargava says, “Sinusitis can be of two types — acute sinusitis which lasts for less than four weeks and
chronic sinusitis which lasts much longer, for more than eight weeks.”

CAUSES

Many reasons like viral infections, air pollution, smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, and allergies are just some of the
elements that increase your chance of getting sinusitis, says Dr Khousla.

Sometimes when temperature and humidity in the atmosphere increase or change rapidly, it can cause irritation in the sinuses.
People who have a weak immune system are more prone to sinusitis. Also, some people tend to have narrow sinus openings and
because of this, when there is a swelling, it becomes difficult for air to pass through. Fungus that is microscopic in nature when inhaled
in the air or consumed via food not only weakens the immune system, but also aggravates sinusitis.

EFFECTS ON HEALTH

Sinusitis mostly affects vision and the nose. Due to the location of the maxillary sinuses, your vision can become extremely distorted if
the sinuses become overloaded with fluids. “The mucous membrane moistens the nasal passages all day and secretes mucus
discharge which washes the lining and collects all foreign particles and micro organisms trapped by nasal hair. The cilia, which are
delicate, slender projections of the lining in the nasal chambers constantly move and push the mucus into the throat, where the final
objective is to send it to the stomach where, the harmful substances are destroyed by acids,” says Dr Khousla.

TREATMENT

Dr Sanjiv Badhwar, ENT, head and neck surgeon says, “Treatment involves examination, diagnostic nasal endoscopy and CT scans. In
most cases, it involves a course of broad spectrum antibiotics, anti-allergic medication and nasal sprays where indicated. In patients
who have recurrent or chronic complaints, surgical intervention is offered which involves endoscopic, minimally invasive surgery.”

Dr Sanjay adds that for acute sinusitis, the patient needs antibiotics with nasal drops and steam inhalation along with decongestant

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tablets and analgesics (pain killers). A treatment called Balloon Sinuplasty is now available, meant for chronic sinusitis and headaches
where a balloon along with endoscope is used to widen narrow openings.

SYMPTOMS

Blocked nose Headaches Poor sense of smell Rhinitis or runny nose Sore throat Facial pain and swelling Nasal discharge
Postnasal drip ie mucus discharge from back of the throat Cough Congestion Tiredness Fever Halitosis or bad breath
Symptoms of cold that do not respond to medication or treatment In cases of chronic sinusitis, sleep is affected, there is
irritability because of which performance in studies or at work might be affected

Boost your immune system by increasing your vitamin and mineral intake

People who smoke or are subject to passive smoke are more prone to sinusitis

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