Rhinosinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses or sinus walls, the sinus cavities will be filled with mucus and swelling of the mucous membranes will occur, causing a blockage. The sinuses themselves are small air-filled cavities that are located in the bony structures of the face.
Rhinosinusitis is a disease that is often found in daily practice, even considered as one of the most common causes of health problems worldwide, in Indonesia cases of rhinosinusitis are 18-22 million patients/year. Complications of rhinosinusitis can cause eye and intracranial abnormalities.
There are two types of rhinosinusitis, namely acute and chronic (more than 12 weeks). The grouping of sinusitis itself is based on the duration of the symptoms that appear. The most common causes of sinusitis are bacteria, viruses and fungi. If caused by a virus, sinusitis will become a contagious disease.
The main symptoms of rhinosinusitis are:
- Stuffy or stuffy nose
- Cold/runny nose or a feeling of liquid flowing in the throat
- Pain in the face
- Impaired sense of smell or loss of sense of smell.
Here are some factors that interfere with the sinuses, but the most common factors are:
- Allergic rhinitis or swelling of the nose due to an allergic reaction
- Nasal polyps or small growths in the nasal cavities
- Deviation of the septum (nasal septum)
- Tooth infection
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Autoimmune disease
- Environmental factors such as exposure to secondhand smoke
If you experience symptoms related to the sinuses or this problem often recurs, it's a good idea to immediately have a health checkup with an ENT specialist and take him straight to the hospital.
Article written by dr. Ferry Herjanto, Sp. ENT-KL (Ear Nose and Throat Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).