When sinusitis becomes chronic

When an infection settles in the nasal cavity and spreads to the sinuses, the latter will ignite, infect, it is the sinusitis... stuffy Nose, postnasal drip, headaches, sinusitis is sometimes difficult to treat and can become chronic. What are the treatments ? And what is the difference between sinusitis and a cold ?

Stuffy nose, runny nose, headache... if any of these symptoms you lead a hard life, you may be suffering from sinusitis. Sinusitis is an inflammation very common, which may be of dental origin, allergic or caused by a bacteria, a virus or even a fungus. Most of the time, sinusitis passes in a few days, but sometimes it becomes chronic.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are small cavities filled with air and dug into the part facial bones of the skull. They are eight in number, four on each side. The most well-known are the maxillary sinuses. They are under the eyes, sides of the nose. The top of the eyes, there are the frontal sinuses. Between the two eyes, there are other sinus less known, are the ethmoïdes. At the bottom, is the sine sphénoïdaux, located in the middle of the skull.

The sinuses are connected to the nose, specifically the nasal passages, which open before thanks to the nostrils, and which communicate back with the pharynx. The air enters through the nose to reach the sinuses through a small pipe and then it is clear by the nasal cavity. But for this to be possible, it is necessary that the passage is free. It is the role of microscopic cilia that line the mucosa of the sinus. The movement of cilia allows the elimination of the impurities and to prevent these cavities from turning into trash. The presence of cells with mucus-allows the humidification of the inspired air, the warm up as well as the filter.

When one has a heavy cold, rhinitis repeat... the infection can spread from the nose to the sinuses because of the communication between the nose and these cavities. The movement of cilia is altered and secretions accumulate, which causes inflammation of the mucosa. It swells and blocks the flow of the mucus in the sinuses. The latter accumulates, it is the sinusitis. If the frontal sinus is affected, the pain is located above the eye, or below if this is the maxillary sinus. These pains become stronger when one leans the head forward, or in the case of effort...

There are two main causes of chronic sinusitis : on the one hand, infections by bacteria (including those of dental origin) and on the other hand, the polyposis. If the doctor looks at the inside of the nose through an endoscopy, he sees polyps, which are kind of small balls of mucous. These tumors are most often non-cancerous. But they block the flow of liquid and can damage the bones, making it necessary to remove it surgically. Other causes treated surgically : deviation of the nasal septum, tumor, malformation,...

There are different forms of sinusitis, including those of dental origin.An amalgam may be the seat of an infection, that spreads to the sinuses.

This is the case of Catherine, who suffers from sinusitis for which she is not able to get rid of. His general practitioner has, therefore, decided to send him to see a specialist.

The teeth responsible for sinusitis are the premolars and molars which are in contact with the bottom of the sinus. The roots of these teeth can send bacteria into the sinus, and thus be the cause of sinusitis.




When the sinusitis resistant to drug treatments and prolonged several weeks, or even months, the last alternative can be a surgery called “méatotomie“. Its principle : getting rid of the nasal secretions that obstruct the opening of the sinus.


Sinusitis is for Vincent, a recurrent illness in the family. His father and the sister of his father have the same problem of chronic sinusitis.

Half of the year, Vincent has the nose taken, and flows to the bottom of the throat. His doctor does not prescribe that sprays to relieve congestion in the nose. It was decided to try a new method, osteopathy.

Osteopathy does not make a diagnosis. Osteopaths encourage their patients to follow it up with a doctor.

There are also homeopathy, which is appreciated in certain patients to decrease the symptoms of sinusitis...