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