With chronic sinusitis, the cavities surrounding the nasal passages may become swollen and inflamed. It intervenes with drainage and results in the accumulation of mucus. This condition is often known as chronic rhinosinusitis. People suffering from chronic sinusitis may face difficulty in breathing through the nose. The region around the face and eyes may feel swollen and the patient may have headache or throbbing facial pain.
Chronic sinusitis can be caused due to an infection but it can also be caused because of the deviated nasal septum or sinus growth. Most people suffer from short-lived bout of sinusitis at some point in life. This is called acute sinusitis. Sinusitis which lasts for more than 8 weeks or recurring sinusitis is known as chronic sinusitis.
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis:
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
- Cough, which can aggravate in the nights
- Decrease in sense of taste and smell
- Pain in the teeth and upper jaw
- Swelling, pain and tenderness around the forehead, nose, cheeks or eyes
- Nasal congestion or obstruction which causes difficulty in breathing through the nose
- Drainage of a thick greenish or yellow discharge down from the back of the throat or from the nose
Other symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Irritability or fatigue
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Sore throat
- Ear pain
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis are similar, except they last longer and may often cause significant fatigue. Fever is not a common symptom of chronic sinusitis.
When to Consult a Medical Professional?
A person may have many episodes of acute sinusitis which lasts for four weeks, before building up into chronic sinusitis. Consult an allergist or an ear, nose and throat specialist for treatment.
Consult a doctor:
- If you have had suffered from several sinusitis attacks and if the condition fails to respond.
- If sinusitis lasts for more than a week.
- If the symptoms do not improve even after consulting the doctor.
Seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms are of serious infection:
- Shortness of breath
- Stiff neck
- Double vision an other changes in vision
- Confusion
- Severe headache
- Swollen forehead
- Swelling and pain around the eyes
