Thought It Was a Cold but Sinusitis? 'Seasonal Change Warning' [Kok! Health]

During the changing seasons, the large temperature fluctuations make it difficult for the body to quickly adapt, leading to a weakened immune system. Especially in spring, when various allergy-causing substances such as fine dust, yellow dust, and pollen are abundant, the number of patients complaining of bronchial symptoms like runny nose and nasal congestion increases. If yellow nasal discharge and nasal congestion persist for a long time, it is necessary to suspect sinusitis (chronic sinus infection).

According to big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on the 11th, the number of acute sinusitis patients sharply increases in April and May. In 2022, the number of patients was 269,890 in March and increased to 334,441 in April.

The sinuses are empty spaces within the facial bones. They circulate air and expel secretions through small openings connected to the nasal cavity. However, if the sinuses fail to function properly due to certain causes, purulent secretions (pus) accumulate, causing inflammation of the internal mucosa, resulting in sinusitis. Sinusitis mainly occurs in infants and children. This is because their sinuses are not yet fully developed, and the sinus outlets are relatively wider compared to adults, making the nose and sinuses connected almost as one space, allowing inflammation from a cold to easily spread to the sinuses. According to an analysis of disease statistics by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, among the total 3,936,499 patients with acute and chronic sinusitis in 2022, 1,215,861 were children aged 9 or younger, accounting for about 31% of all patients.

The main symptoms of sinusitis include nasal congestion caused by swelling of the nasal mucosa due to inflammation and the discharge of yellowish nasal mucus, postnasal drip where mucus flows down the back of the throat, facial pressure and pain, and headaches. If symptoms worsen, they may be accompanied by decreased concentration, breathing difficulties, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that reduce quality of life.

Sinusitis is often diagnosed late because its symptoms are similar to those of a cold. Since colds are mainly caused by viruses, antibiotics are generally not necessary except in rare cases suspected of bacterial infection, and may even be harmful. However, sinusitis is primarily caused by bacteria, so appropriate antibiotics must be administered for a sufficient period, marking a clear difference in treatment methods.

If sinusitis is not detected and properly treated, it can lead to various complications and chronic sinusitis, making early diagnosis crucial. Methods for diagnosing sinusitis include simple medical interviews, nasal endoscopy, radiography (fluoroscopy), biopsy, and computed tomography (CT) scans.

To prevent sinusitis, it is most important to avoid catching colds or the flu. After going outside, wash hands and feet thoroughly to maintain hygiene, and rinsing the inside of the nose with saline solution can be helpful. It is also important to maintain indoor humidity at 30-40% to prevent dryness. Using a humidifier or drinking lukewarm water two to three times a day is recommended. Beverages containing caffeine should be avoided as their diuretic effect can further dry out the nasal passages.

Sinusitis is broadly classified into acute and chronic types. If symptoms last within 4 weeks after onset, it is diagnosed as acute; if symptoms persist for 12 weeks or more, it is diagnosed as chronic. Acute sinusitis symptoms improve with about 10 to 14 days of antibiotic treatment. Adjunctive medications include antihistamines containing mequitazine to relieve nasal discharge and congestion symptoms of sinusitis. If it progresses to chronic sinusitis, drug treatment involves antibiotics along with appropriate adjunctive medications such as topical steroids, mucolytics, and nasal decongestants. If symptoms do not improve with medication, surgery may be considered. Especially in chronic sinusitis, complications such as otitis media, orbital cellulitis, and meningitis can occur, so early detection and examination are important.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.