Table of contents:
- Sinusitis can be cured, but ...
- If you want a full recovery, sinusitis must be treated based on the cause
- Should I have surgery?
Most people who have sinusitis often complain of one thing in common: symptoms that recur again, again, and again despite previous treatment. No doubt, the recurrence of this respiratory disorder can cause stress over time. So can sinusitis be cured or is it a lifelong condition like diabetes? Check out the explanation here.
Sinusitis can be cured, but…
Sinusitis is a fairly common respiratory disorder. This respiratory disorder occurs when there is inflammation in the nasal sinuses and eventually swell, thus covering the airways. Inflammation of the sinuses is mostly experienced by adults, but it does not rule out that children can have it too.
If you have sinus inflammation that doesn't get better, it could be chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses that lasts at least 12 weeks or more. It is different from acute sinus inflammation which only lasts for only 4 weeks.
Sinusitis is curable. But to achieve that, you first have to find out what causes it so that you get the right treatment. Apart from bacterial and viral infections, recurrent sinusitis can also be caused by allergies, nasal polyps, and deviation of the nasal septum (displaced middle wall of the nose).
If you want a full recovery, sinusitis must be treated based on the cause
The main goals of sinusitis treatment are to:
- Reduces inflammation of the sinuses
- Pressing so that sinusitis symptoms do not recur
- Relieves pain and discomfort in the nose
Usually, sinusitis treatment does not require special treatment. Symptoms can be treated by:
- Take painkillers
- Using drugs to clear the respiratory tract
- Compress the face using warm water
If the cause is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics can help the healing process. However, if you have polyps and nasal septal deviation, then you need further treatment for this condition. Because even though your sinusitis has been treated, your sinus inflammation can recur at a later date if the polyps and deviation persist.
If you have a history of allergies, such as cold or dust allergies, don't be surprised if sinusitis will recur every time you are exposed to cold or dust. The solution is to stay away from allergens (things that trigger allergies) and control the allergic response. For example, if you experience rhinitis every morning, which is characterized by sneezing and a runny nose because you are allergic to cold air in the morning. So maybe it's a good idea to set the room air conditioner alarm to turn off a few hours before it's time for you to wake up early so that the room warms up a little. Also consider installing a humidifier at home to neutralize room air,
Your doctor can prescribe a nasal spray that contains corticosteroids. When used with the right dosage and regulation, it can control the allergic response and prevent rhinitis from developing into sinus inflammation. But do not use it carelessly, because this drug can actually worsen your condition.
Should I have surgery?
If indeed the antibiotics given to patients with chronic sinus inflammation do not work, then the last thing that will be an option in your treatment is surgery. Surgery can be done to remove polyps that cause sinusitis. Surgery can also be done to open the narrowed openings of the sinuses and drain the fluid trapped in them.
Most of these sinus surgeries will be successful and can prevent symptoms of sinus inflammation in the future. Usually doctors will still give antibiotics after sinus surgery.
To find out if you need sinus surgery, you should ask and discuss this with your doctor.
