Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling of the tissue lining the sinus cavities. Normally, sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) can grow and cause an infection. Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include the common cold, allergic rhinitis (swelling of the lining of the nose), nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose), or a deviated septum (a shift in the nasal cavity).
SYMPTOMS
Some of the primary symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
⦁ Facial pain/pressure
⦁ Nasal stuffiness
⦁ Nasal discharge
⦁ Loss of smell
⦁ Cough/congestion
Additional symptoms may include:
⦁ Fever
⦁ Bad breath
⦁ Fatigue
⦁ Dental pain
Acute sinusitis may be diagnosed when a person has two or more symptoms and/or the presence of thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge. People with chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms for 8 weeks or more:
⦁ Facial congestion/fullness
⦁ A nasal obstruction/blockage
⦁ Pus in the nasal cavity
⦁ Fever
⦁ Nasal discharge/discolored postnasal drainage
Additional symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include:
⦁ Headaches
⦁ Bad breath
⦁ Fatigue
⦁ Dental pain
TREATMENT
Apart from medication, physiotherapy treatment of sinusitis include ultrasonic nebulisation/inhalations (your doctor may prescribe medication to use in the nebuliser), laser and ultrasound therapy to decrease the inflammation and aid drainage of the sinus cavities.