The condition of sinusitis can be treated either through medications or through surgery. It is up to the ENT specialist to decide the right course of action depending on the patient’s physiological condition and the severity of the disease. Like any other disease, it is easier to treat sinusitis if it is diagnosed early.

Outlook of Treatment

Patients suffering from sinus infection often report nasal congestion with thick secretions from the nose. They also get high fever and cough. It is possible to treat patients by reducing the swelling or inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. The treatment should also involve eliminating the infection and maintaining open sinuses.

Using Antibiotics

Most cases of acute sinusitis are caused by viral infections. Since antibiotics do not kill viruses, it is not a recommended solution to viral sinusitis. Sometimes waiting for a couple of weeks will cause the body’s own immune system to clear the viruses. Even in the case of bacterial or fungal infections, the body’s immune system can take over the problem in the case of acute sinusitis. Since certain antibiotics create side effects, it is not advised to use them. However, antibiotics can prove useful in certain scenarios. For instance:

• If symptoms persist or becomes severe or the patient becomes generally unwell, then antibiotics may be a good choice
• If the patient suffers from other problems such as cystic fibrosis, heart problems or a weak immune system

Relieving the Symptoms

There are certain treatments that can be done in order to relieve the patient of the symptoms. Once the symptoms subside, the immune system can take over and fix the problem. Such treatment involves the following:

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to ease the pain of the patient. They can also bring down the fever. In rare cases, stronger pain killers such as codeine should be used for limited a period.
• Usage of decongestant nasal sprays or drops is recommended sometimes. They can relieve the blocked nose temporarily. Sprays and drops won’t reduce the duration of acute sinusitis and it is not recommended to use them for more than 7 days. They can cause rebound congestion through overuse.
• Drinking plenty of fluids can be helpful.
• Using warm face packs is another method to ease the pain.
• Once can use saline nasal drops to relieve congestion and blockage in the nose.
• The traditional remedy is to use steam inhalation however, it is not advised in modern medicine. People may burn themselves by inhaling hot steam and there is little evidence that it helps.

Surgical Procedures

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

The traditional surgical method for treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyps is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery also known as ESS. It is safe as well as successful and recent breakthrough in nasal endoscopy avoids making incisions.

4 mm and 2.7 mm telescopes are used for adults and children respectively in this procedure. There are a variety of angles that can be achieved using these telescopes. They provide good illumination of the inner nasal cavity and sinuses. High definition cameras and monitors many articulating instruments help in identifying and restoring the proper drainage and ventilation in the sinus and nose cavities.

This procedure helps in taking bacterial culture and conducting biopsies. These can give the medical practitioner ample diagnostic information. This surgery has the advantage of letting the practitioner reach all sinuses in some degree.

Balloon Sinuplasty

A much more modern approach which is being increasingly favoured by ENT specialists throughout the world is Balloon Sinuplasty. It is a procedure that uses a balloon over a wire catheter to dilate the sinus passageway. The idea is to restore the normal drainage in the sinus passageway.

The Balloon Sinuplasty can be performed either in the hospital or at the clinic of the doctor because of the relative ease of the procedure. Though performed under general anaesthesia, it is slowly being performed under local anaesthesia by many doctors.