All about Sinusitis and its treatment
Overview
If you have a stuffy nose that fails to get better, you could be having sinusitis. The space beneath your forehead and between your eyes has hollow spaces, called sinuses. The sinuses are involved in the production of mucus. Such mucus keeps your nose moist from the inside. Mucus protects against the entry of foreign materials. In the case of healthy sinuses, the hollow spaces are filled with air. However, the entry of foreign materials such as allergens and dust can block your sinuses. When this happens, the space gets filled with fluid, as opposed to air. The fluid acts as a breeding ground for germs and increases the risk of infection. There are several factors that might lead to sinus blockage. These include:
- Common cold
- Nasal polyps: these are small growth that is located on your nasal lining
- Swelling on your nasal lining due to allergens
- Deviated septum: this happens when your nasal cavity shifts
Sinus surgery is a surgical procedure that seeks to open up your sinus pathway. The procedure is recommended for individuals whose nasal cavity has an abnormal sinus structure. In case you suffer from a recurrent sinus infection, sinus surgery is one of the options to treat the condition. Other people also have an abnormal growth in their sinus and this needs to be corrected through surgery. Laser surgery has quickly emerged as a surgical procedure for treating sinusitis. This is because laser surgery is less invasive, can be completed in a short duration, and leads to faster recovery.
Causes of sinusitis
Viral or bacterial infection: this happens when your sinuses get filled with materials, other than air. Such foreign materials act as a breeding ground for viruses which are the leading causative agents for sinusitis. Additionally, bacteria may also lead to sinus infections.
Cystic fibrosis: this refers to a health condition leading to the accumulation of thick mucus in your lungs. Thick mucus may also build up in your mucus membrane
Air travel: increases the risk of exposure to germs at higher concentrations
Weak immune system: people with a weakened immune system are at risk of sinus infection.
Sinus structural problems: If your sinus is problematic, then it elevates the risk of sinusitis. Sinus structural problems could be due to nasal polyps or growth in your sinuses or nasal lining
The following risk factors can elevate the risk of a sinus infection:
- If you have suffered from a cold in the past
- If you suffer from seasonal allergies
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke is a risk factor
- People who have had recent contact with mold
- Individuals who have had an upper respiratory infection in recent weeks
- Dental infection may also enhance the risk of sinusitis
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
If you have chronic sinusitis, you are likely to experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Your nasal cavity will get inflamed
- A running nose, characterized by a thick and discoloured discharge
- Postnatal draining: You are likely to experience drainage at the back of your throat.
- Congested or blocked nose: This makes it hard for you to breathe properly through your nose
- There might be swelling and tenderness around your nose, eyes, and forehead. The swelling and tenderness may also affect your cheeks
- Your sense of taste and smell declines
Chronic sinusitis may also present with the following additional signs and symptoms:
- Headache
- Pain in the ears
- Sore throat
- General tiredness
- Emitting bad breath
- Aching in your teeth and upper jaw
- Throat clearing and cough
Acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis present with the same signs and symptoms. The only difference is that in the case of acute sinusitis, the signs and symptoms are short-lived and often clear within a few days. In the case of chronic sinusitis, however, the signs and symptoms persist for at least 12 weeks.
Chronic sinusitis may present with the following symptoms:
- Your face feels full or congested
-
Your nasal cavity might generate pus
- You could have a running fever
- Nasal blockage
The above signs may also be accompanied by headache and fatigue
How to diagnose sinusitis
Sinus surgery is recommended for recurrent or chronic sinusitis. To diagnose chronic or recurrent sinusitis, you should have experienced the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection persistently for at least 12 weeks. Your doctor will be keen to know how long you have been experiencing the symptoms. The doctor will also take your medical history to find out if you are sensitive to allergens or have a family history of chronic sinusitis.
An endoscope allows your doctor to clearly see the inside of your nose and with it, the sinuses as well. An endoscopy helps your general practitioner to access certain parts of your nasal cavity that they might otherwise have a problem accessing if they were to rely on a standard examination procedure. The device gives us a magnified and high-quality vision of your nasal passage and sinuses. In this way, your GP can tell whether your sinuses are inflamed, and the extent of such swelling.
In case of structural issues with your nasal cavity, the doctor will most probably order an MRI or CT scan. An example of structural problems includes polyps or a deviated nasal septum. In very rare cases, your doctor might order a biopsy. This will help to establish whether the infection has spread.
An allergy test is also important as it allows your GP to identify the potential triggers.
In case the symptoms persist, your GP may recommend that you see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist who is more qualified to conduct a detailed examination of the medical problem.
Treating sinusitis
If there is a growth (polyps) in your nasal cavity or structural problems such as a deviated nasal septum, the only viable treatment to correct sinusitis is undergoing a surgical procedure. Sinus surgery is also recommended in case of chronic sinusitis or recurrent sinus infection. However, this is often the last resort after other options such as medication have failed to resolve the problem.
The goal of sinus surgery is to enlarge the inside of your nose and the sinus opening. This promotes the passage of air into the nasal cavity while also allowing drainage. As part of the sinus surgery, your surgeon may have to remove the infectious polyps or sinus tissues. The following forms of sinus surgery are possible:
Endoscopic sinus surgery
The goal of this surgical procedure is to improve airflow via your nose. It is also geared towards improving the drainage associated with your sinuses. The procedure is conducted under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will insert an endoscope into your sinus tissues. This is a thin camera rod with an attached light. The instrument helps to magnify and visualize your sinus tissues.
Your surgeon will insert surgical instruments together with the endoscope. In this way, your surgeon finds it easier to remove the material that has blocked your sinus. The surgeon can also remove any polyps found alongside your mucous membrane. The procedures can be conducted in the surgeon’s office or at a healthcare facility. An endoscopic sinus surgery takes between 30 and 90 minutes.
Laser surgery
This is a procedure that involves the use of laser energy to relieve the symptoms brought about by chronic sinusitis. Additionally, laser surgery helps to relieve drainage, chronic congestion, and headaches brought about by allergies. The procedure is preferred to the conventional surgical procedure because it is quick, and is less painful. Additionally, laser sinus treatment is minimally invasive. That means the risk for infection is minimized.
The procedure helps to shrink blood vessels in your nasal cavity. It also helps to expand the turbinates that narrow down your nasal passage when they get inflamed. Consequently, it becomes hard to drain out mucus. It leads to difficulty in breathing and congestion.
Shrinking of the blood vessels in your nasal cavity also helps to subside the swelling in your turbinates. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Your surgeon will pass a fiberoptic wire to which laser is attached, below the turbinate lining. Recovery is possible within 2 days. However, full recovery happens after about 2 weeks.
Before the procedure, your surgeon will brief you fully on what to expect during the procedure. This also includes the benefits and possible limitations of the procedure.
Once the procedure is completed, the surgeon will recommend that you remain in the recovery room for a few hours to observe your vital signs. You will only be allowed to go home after the surgeon is fully satisfied that you are not experiencing severe pain, and that you are not at risk of any complications.
Post-op care and diet
After the procedure, we will organize your transport back home in one of our hospital vans. We encourage you to take as much rest as possible while at home. This will promote faster recovery and healing. After the surgery, expect to experience minor discomfort for the first two weeks.
In the case of endoscopic sinus surgery, some people may experience minor bleeding. Your surgeon is likely to suggest weekly visits to the healthcare facility at least for the initial three weeks. The purpose of such weekly visits is to allow the surgeon to remove mucus and any dried blood.
Some of the guidelines are as follows:
- As you continue with your recovery at home, it may be advisable to pack your nose with gauze. This will aid in absorbing bloody drainage.
- Your surgeon may also recommend antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Salty water is also useful in irrigating your nasal lavage. This helps to maintain a moist nasal passage.
- Keep off from strenuous activities. Avoid leaning forward or blowing your nose for at least a few days post-operation. Warm compression of your forehead and nose is also recommended, it will relieve any kind of pressure build-up in your sinuses.
- Should you develop any complications while at home, such as severe pain or excessive bleeding, we encourage you to call us immediately.
Sinusitis is a problem that plagues many patients especially in a city like Bangalore, which is home to many allergens. Sniffling and sneezing may just be a minor problem, but most patients suffering sinusitis are unable to manage nose blocks, runny nose, headache, and congestion in the nose. Many times this obstructs good sleep at night and increases the risk of other lifestyle diseases.
Endoscopic surgery with microdebrider is the most advanced form of surgery to treat sinusitis in Bangalore. This can help eliminate constant blockage of the nose, relieve congestion, enable good quality sleep, help wean way from the use of nasal spray, and aid relief from sinus headache. It can also cure bad breath.
Benefits of microdebrider assisted procedure at Bangalore for sinusitis:
- Minimally invasive surgery
- No incision or stitches or pain
- Procedure time is only 1-2 hours
- Minimal blood loss
- Only 1-2 days recovery time
- Successful clearance of sinus
goficure for complete sinusitis cure
goficure has a network of all the specialists in Bangalore that have the experience to perform advanced sinus surgery with the latest technique. We have a number of happy patients that are enjoying the quality of life after the surgery and are able to breathe easily.
When you approach goficure for assistance what you will get is :
- Assistance with selection of specialist
- Scheduling the appointment
- Enabling diagnosis
- Selecting the type of surgery
- Saving the date for surgery
- Facilitating free pickup and drop before and after surgery
- Organising the procedure
- Handing post-op care
- Paperwork for insurance claims by goficure team
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
Smooth and hassle-free
Choosing to get your treatment done with us would rid you of major and minor inconveniences alike. Whether it be...
Specialist doctors
We work with specialist doctors with several years of experience in diagnosing and treating...
Transparent pricing
Your doctor will explain to you in detail about your condition and if there is a chance of developing...
Confidential
Life is precious. Each day lost in sickness can't be relived. It's time to shed inhibitions and...
Safe and reliable
All our treatments and procedures are not just quick and provide immediate relief, but they are also...
Priority treatment
The difference between a typical hospital and us is that we understand that your treatment is not all about...
Trustworthy diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose you appropriately and transparently. Rest assured, our aim is to ensure...
Quick treatment
Our aim is to shorten your treatment and healing time and make it a fraction of the time...
Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
Affordability
Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
What you don’t undergo with goficure
1. Long waiting lines
2. Lack of personalized attention
3. Excessive billing/hidden charges
4. Running around for your treatment
Frequently asked questions
Treatments Available
Gynaecology
Aesthetics
Vascular
Laparoscopy
ENT
Proctology
Urology
Orthopedics
Fertility
Ophthalmology
