A feeling of fullness in your head, pressure behind the eyes, almost no sense of smell... When you realize that these symptoms start with a cold but do not go away even after weeks, you probably think of one word: sinusitis. Sinusitis (sinus inflammation) is a common health problem that occurs when the air-filled spaces around the nose become inflamed and affects millions of people in Turkey. In the Anatolian side of Istanbul, especially in Sultanbeyli and surrounding districts, environmental factors such as traffic density, air pollution and humidity increase the incidence of sinusitis complaints. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of what sinusitis is, the differences between acute and chronic forms and the treatment options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sinuses are air-filled cavities lined with a thin layer of mucous membrane, located inside the facial bones. They are grouped into four pairs: the frontal sinuses in the forehead, the ethmoid sinuses on the inside of the eye sockets, the maxillary sinuses on either side of the nasal cavity and the sphenoid sinuses deep in the head. These cavities normally produce mucus that moistens, warms and filters particles from the inhaled air. They open into the nasal cavity through small channels; when these channels become blocked, mucus builds up, the environment becomes favorable for bacteria or viruses and inflammation begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main causes of inflammation are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exhaust emissions from the TEM Motorway, which passes through the center of Sultanbeyli, and indoor exposure, which increases with the population density of the region, increase the risk of allergic sinusitis and chronic forms at the local level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus cavities characterized by facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, yellow-green nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell and postnasal drip. Fever, headache, fatigue and toothache may also be among the accompanying symptoms. If these symptoms last less than 4 weeks, it is considered acute sinusitis, and if they last more than 12 weeks, it is considered chronic sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms also differ depending on the affected sinus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acute sinusitis is a form of sinus inflammation where symptoms start suddenly and last up to 4 weeks. The vast majority of cases are viral infections that develop after a cold. As the immune system responds to the virus, the sinus mucosa swells, the ducts become blocked and the mucus flow stops. Although the ground is prepared for bacterial growth in this process, antibiotics are not necessary in all cases since ninety percent of acute sinusitis is caused by viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The typical course of acute sinusitis is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If symptoms worsen after the 10th day or last for more than 4 weeks, this may indicate a transition to subacute sinusitis or bacterial sinusitis; an ENT specialist should be consulted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic sinusitis is a clinical picture in which inflammation in the sinus cavities lasts for more than 12 weeks, and although it is sometimes controlled with treatment, it does not completely disappear. It can also be defined as \u201crecurrent acute sinusitis\u201d in patients who have four or more recurrent acute attacks per year. In the chronic form, symptoms may not be as severe as in the acute form; however, persistent nasal congestion, sniffing disorder, feeling of phlegm in the throat in the morning and chronic fatigue significantly reduce the quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conditions commonly associated with chronic sinusitis include nasal polyposis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and immune system disorders. Therefore, chronic sinusitis should be considered not only as an ENT problem, but also as a health picture that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Sana Medical Center ENT Unit<\/a>, has the necessary infrastructure to make an accurate diagnosis and create a comprehensive treatment plan in such complex cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAcute and Chronic Sinusitis: Key Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n