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Sinusitis is a condition that occurs when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed, swollen, and/or infected. The sinuses are hollow cavities located in the bones around the nose, and they are connected to the nasal passages. When the sinuses become inflamed or infected, they can become blocked, and mucus can build up. This can cause pain and pressure in the face, nasal congestion, headache, and a runny nose.
There are several types of sinusitis, including acute sinusitis (which usually lasts less than four weeks), subacute sinusitis (which lasts four to 12 weeks), chronic sinusitis (which lasts more than 12 weeks), and recurrent sinusitis (which occurs several times a year).
Sinusitis is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can also be triggered by allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum. Treatment for sinusitis depends on the underlying cause and may include antibiotics, decongestants, nasal steroids, saline nasal irrigation, or in some cases, surgery.
Recurrent Acute Sinusitis
(RARS)
Acute sinusitis is a short-term inflammation of the sinuses that is frequently accompanied with a sinus infection. Colds or bacterial infections are the most common causes of acute sinusitis. It normally lasts approximately 10 days, but it can last up to a month. Most people require little or no treatment to recover.
When you experience four or more bouts of acute sinusitis per year with no symptoms in between, you have recurrent acute rhinosinusitis. This differs from chronic sinusitis in that the symptoms of chronic sinusitis do not go away for long periods of time. You’ll experience symptom-free periods between sinus infections if you have recurrent sinusitis.
Sinusitis is classified into two types: chronic and acute. Chronic sinusitis develops when your nasal passages and sinus canals are inflamed for an extended period of time (usually three months or more).
Recurrent Acute Sinusitis Symptoms
Recurrent acute sinusitis is defined by four or more bouts of sinusitis per year, each lasting 3-4 weeks. Among the symptoms are:
- Sinus pressure
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Severe congestion
- Need for antibiotic treatment
- Decreased smell and taste
- Discolored nasal drainage
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is a long-term infection and inflammation of the sinuses. It can remain for a long time, usually more than 12 weeks. Sinuses are four pairs of cavities (spaces) in the skull. These areas are linked together by tiny canals. The four gaps are named for the bones that surround them: ethmoidal, sphenoidal, frontal, and maxillary. The sinuses produce thin mucus that drains via the nasal canals. This drainage functions as a filtration system, keeping the nose clean and bacteria-free.
As the sinuses get blocked and filled with fluid, they can become infected. This is known as sinusitis. Sinusitis is classified into four types: acute, subacute, chronic, and recurring. Acute sinusitis, unlike chronic sinusitis, normally lasts only a few days but can last up to four weeks before clearing up with minimum or no therapy. Persistent sinusitis may necessitate a variety of treatments. Surgery may be required in severe cases of chronic sinusitis that do not respond to conventional treatments.
Chronic sinusitis differs from recurrent sinusitis in that the symptoms of chronic sinusitis do not go away for long periods of time. You experience four or more bouts of sinusitis in a year with recurrent sinusitis, but you also have symptom-free periods in between.
Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms
The mix of symptoms, as well as the fact that they linger for such a long time, can make you unhappy. Chronic sinusitis symptoms may include:
- Tenderness or pressure in the face (particularly around the nose, eyes and forehead).
- Post nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat).
- Nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or a stuffy nose.
- Toothache, ear pain and/or headache.
- Cough.
- Tiredness.
- Ear pain.
- Loss of the senses of taste and smell.
- Halitosis (bad breath).
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