rhinitis, sinusitis and rhinosinusitis

background

Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the nose. Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the sinuses. These conditions affect between 15 – 20% of people in
the UK.

The lining of the nose is continuous with that of
the sinuses and so rhinitis and sinusitis often occur together, this is called rhinosinusitis.

Rhinosinusitis is more common in patients with asthma and is like having asthma in the nose.
It may run in families and have a link with asthma
and eczema.

  

scan of normal sinuses   sinusitis

causes

allergy

Rhinitis can be triggered by an allergic reaction
to airborne substances known as allergens. The allergens may cause year round problems, for example the house dust mite or just in certain
seasons such as grass pollen hay fever.

infection

The common cold, caused by a virus is an example of infective rhinitis.

non allergic, non-infective factors

Frequently infection is not present and tests show no allergies. It is thought that genetic factors may make the nose and sinuses and the immune system oversensitive to a range of airborne environmental irritants that in other individuals cause no problems.

symptoms

Rhinitis causes the nasal lining to swell especially
the turbinates and front end of the septum causing nasal blockage and stuffiness. Irritation causes excess mucus production with a runny nose and catarrh down the back of the nose. Sneezing and itching may also occur.

Sinusitis causes the sinus lining to swell and may also block the sinus drainage holes and the gutters into the nose. This may lead to feelings of pressure in the face and forehead. Infection may occur causing pain and coloured discharge.

treatments

For troublesome rhinitis and sinusitis a nasal steroid spray - similar to puffers used for asthma - should be used regularly and may be required in the long-term.

If allergy is present then measures may be taken to limit exposure to airborne allergy particles.

If sinus endoscopy shows pus then antibiotics may also be necessary.

Your rhinologist will be also able to explain other less frequently used medical options.

If medical treatment does not work, surgery may help.

For more details about these procedures please click on the following:

inferior turbinate surgery

balloon sinuplasty

functional endoscopic sinus surgery