Sinusitis: Symptoms and Treatment

Sinus infections are common during winter. Below, discover their causes and effective treatment methods.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a common chronic condition that occurs particularly often in winter. Inflammation can occur in any of the four sinus cavities in the head:

• The maxillary sinuses, below the eyes.
• The ethmoidal sinuses, between the eyes.
• The frontal sinuses, above the eyes.
• The sphenoidal sinuses, behind the eyes.

These four cavities are connected by narrow passages in the head. They produce mucus that drains through the nasal passages, helping keep the nose clean and free of bacteria.

The sinuses are usually filled with air, but they can fill with fluid and become blocked. This allows bacteria and fungi to grow inside the nose, producing what is known as bacterial sinusitis. There are two types: chronic, long-term sinusitis and acute, short-term sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis: short term

1. Acute sinusitis often follows a bacterial infection after the sinuses or upper airways become blocked, such as during a cold. The mucous membranes in the nasal cavity become affected and block the sinus openings. Fluid drawn towards the sinuses causes pain, while the nose becomes a place for bacterial growth that intensifies the pain.
2. Allergies can also cause swelling of the mucous membrane and block the sinus openings. People with a deviated nasal septum are particularly susceptible to acute sinusitis.
3. If acute, short-term sinusitis is treated correctly within fewer than 30 days of onset, it will result in a viral infection in patients with a healthy immune system.

Chronic sinusitis: long term

Chronic sinusitis occurs when acute sinusitis continues for more than 90 days, or three months.

The causes of chronic sinusitis remain unknown, but some factors can cause chronic inflammation, including:

• Chronic allergies.
• Nasal fluids.
• Environmental irritants.
• A family history of sinusitis.
• Bacterial or fungal infection.
• An abscess in an upper tooth that inflames the sinus above it.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Both acute, short-term and chronic, long-term sinusitis cause similar symptoms, including:

• Headache.
• A blocked nose.
• Yellow or green nasal discharge.
• Severe facial pain.
• Pressure around the eyes and nose and in the forehead.
• Bad breath.
• Nasal congestion.
• Severe ear pain.
• A severe cough.
• Fever.
• Loss of the sense of smell.
• Tooth pain.
• Pain behind and between the eyes.
• Pain at the back of the head.
• Excessive chills.

Not every case includes all these symptoms. A person with sinusitis may experience only one, which can be treated quickly with sinusitis medicine from the pharmacy.

Treatment for sinusitis

Sinusitis can be treated with various medicines, with the choice depending on the severity of the inflammation. Pharmacy options include:

Panadol Sinus, 24 tablets

Panadol Sinus, 24 tablets, is one of the strongest sinusitis medicines. Doctors recommend it for sinus pain and congestion, and it also relieves colds and the body aches accompanying them.

Panadol Sinus, 24 tablets, is an ideal choice for treating sinusitis, different types of pain and colds.

Fludrex, 24 tablets

Fludrex, 24 tablets, is one of the best effective medicines for colds, influenza and sinusitis. It contains the effective, safe ingredients paracetamol, chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine, which eliminate influenza. It is classified as an antihistamine, decongestant and pain reliever.

Fludrex, 24 tablets, is one of the best respiratory medicines because it treats fever and congestion, lowers body temperature and reduces watery eyes accompanying colds and influenza.

Advil Cold & Sinus tablets

Advil Cold & Sinus tablets belong to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug group. They are a top treatment for colds, influenza and sinusitis together, relieving pain, reducing fever and countering inflammation. They relieve cold symptoms including fever, headache, nasal congestion, itchy skin and a runny nose, and reduce facial pressure, body aches and other symptoms of colds and influenza.

The best nasal sprays for sinusitis

Several nasal sprays are available for adults and children. Here are some of the best options for safe use:

• Sinomarin Nasal Spray, 30 ml

Sinomarin Nasal Spray for Children, 30 ml, cleans dust from children's noses and clears yellow and green mucus from the nose and sinuses. It helps open nasal passages in children and infants, allowing comfortable breathing again.

Sinomarin children's nasal spray also treats nasal congestion during colds, influenza and sinusitis. It contains seawater without soothing additives or medicinal substances that could pose a risk to a child's health.

• Sinomarin Adult Nasal Spray, 125 ml

Sinomarin Adult Nasal Spray, 125 ml, is the best aqueous nasal solution for adults. The saline solution reduces sticky mucus in the sinuses and nose and helps open blocked nasal passages, allowing comfortable, painless breathing.

This concludes our detailed article about sinusitis and its types, symptoms and treatment using the best sinusitis medicines available from the pharmacy.