What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses that can be painful and cause significant discomfort. It’s a condition that is very common and which may be mild or severe. If you think you might have sinusitis then you can often treat this at home on your own and there are only a few situations in which you might need to get the support of a medical professional.

What does sinusitis feel like?

For many people it is tenderness, pain and swelling in the face, specifically around the nose and forehead. You may also have some pain and swelling around the eyes and cheeks and a blocked nose. A headache, temperature and pain in your teeth and gums can also be typical with sinusitis. Many people also find that they are producing green or yellow mucus and have bad breath. All of these symptoms can make you feel very unwell in addition to causing problems such as issues with eating, breathing and sleeping.

What help can you get over the counter?

A pharmacist can provide you with nasal sprays that can ease congestion as well as painkillers to help with the discomfort.

How can you help yourself?

In most cases sinusitis will go away on its own as long as you allow your body to rest and recover. You can take paracetamol or aspirin for the discomfort and headaches and make sure that you sleep as much as you need to. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids if you feel like this so that you don’t get dehydrated. Many people find that using a salt water solution to clean out the nose can help to ease some symptoms. Avoiding smoking and anything that you’re allergic to, such as pollen or household cleaning supplies, can also help when it comes to a faster recovery.

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you have sinusitis symptoms for a week without improvement then you may need to consider speaking to your GP. Severe symptoms or those that recur regularly may also require further investigation. There are a number of ways in which your GP might be able to help, including prescribing steroid nasal sprays or drops that will bring down any swelling or antibiotics if it looks like a bacterial infection is the cause of the sinusitis. For most of us sinusitis resolves fairly easily, even if GP intervention is necessary. However, if you’re still suffering after three months then you may be referred to an ear nose and throat specialist, especially if your symptoms are only appearing on one side of your face.

Is surgery ever necessary?

Occasionally. If you are suffering from chronic sinusitis then surgery can be used to ease the discomfort either by removing some of the tissue that is causing the problem or inflating a tiny balloon in your blocked sinuses, which is then removed.

Sinusitis is a painful condition but not usually a long term one – if you suffer from it then there is often a lot you can do to help yourself.

Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses that can be painful and cause significant discomfort. It’s a condition that is very common and which may be mild or severe. If you think you might have sinusitis then you can often treat this at home on your own and there are only a few situations in which you might need to get the support of a medical professional.

What does sinusitis feel like?

For many people it is tenderness, pain and swelling in the face, specifically around the nose and forehead. You may also have some pain and swelling around the eyes and cheeks and a blocked nose. A headache, temperature and pain in your teeth and gums can also be typical with sinusitis. Many people also find that they are producing green or yellow mucus and have bad breath. All of these symptoms can make you feel very unwell in addition to causing problems such as issues with eating, breathing and sleeping.

What help can you get over the counter?

A pharmacist can provide you with nasal sprays that can ease congestion as well as painkillers to help with the discomfort.

How can you help yourself?

In most cases sinusitis will go away on its own as long as you allow your body to rest and recover. You can take paracetamol or aspirin for the discomfort and headaches and make sure that you sleep as much as you need to. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids if you feel like this so that you don’t get dehydrated. Many people find that using a salt water solution to clean out the nose can help to ease some symptoms. Avoiding smoking and anything that you’re allergic to, such as pollen or household cleaning supplies, can also help when it comes to a faster recovery.

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you have sinusitis symptoms for a week without improvement then you may need to consider speaking to your GP. Severe symptoms or those that recur regularly may also require further investigation. There are a number of ways in which your GP might be able to help, including prescribing steroid nasal sprays or drops that will bring down any swelling or antibiotics if it looks like a bacterial infection is the cause of the sinusitis. For most of us sinusitis resolves fairly easily, even if GP intervention is necessary. However, if you’re still suffering after three months then you may be referred to an ear nose and throat specialist, especially if your symptoms are only appearing on one side of your face.

Is surgery ever necessary?

Occasionally. If you are suffering from chronic sinusitis then surgery can be used to ease the discomfort either by removing some of the tissue that is causing the problem or inflating a tiny balloon in your blocked sinuses, which is then removed.

Sinusitis is a painful condition but not usually a long term one – if you suffer from it then there is often a lot you can do to help yourself.