What you need to know about sinus problems.   Sinus problems are extremely common among the general population, more so than hypertension, arthritis and depression . Despite this, the complaints of sinus sufferers are not always taken seriously. Sufferers often learn to live with their symptoms and accept what may be a lower quality of life. What symptoms do sinusitis patients suffer from? Patients can suffer from a variety of symptoms. Generally speaking sinusitis is like a permanent cold. The common symptoms are:   Headache Sore throat Nasal Obstruction Sleep disturbance Facial pressure Snoring Excessive catarrh Chronic cough Toothache Loss of sense of smell Recurrent ear infection It is important to recognise that a cold is a viral illness with symptoms which will improve within a week. Should symptoms not improve, a sinus infection may be the cause and antibiotics will be required to treat the infection. Why do sinuses get infected? We all suffer at one time or another from the common cold. If the membranes of the sinus remain swollen, due to a particularly bad infection or additional allergies, then the sinuses can become chronically blocked. Factors that trigger sinusitis: Viral infections Bacterial infections Allergic reactions Cigarette smoke Pollution Do children suffer from sinus problems? Sinus problems can affect all ages and it is now accepted that many childhood complaints are associated with sinus disorders. Symptoms include bad breath, loss of hearing, a sore throat, coughing, listlessness and a constant runny nose. The link between sinuses and allergies: The inflammation and congestion associated with allergies can cause sinus symptoms. Those suffering from allergies are more prone to sinus symptoms and unfortunately may not respond to standard allergy treatment. Does sinusitis affect asthma? Infections in the nose and sinuses can aggravate problems in the lungs, such as asthma. This is because the normal function of the nose as a filter and humidifier is impaired by sinus infections. Deviated septum The nasal cavity is separated into left and right by the septum - a partition of bone and cartilage. Any deviation of the septum could cause nasal obstruction, headaches or sinusitis. Trauma to the nose is the most common cause of septal deviation, and can exist from birth as a result of a traumatic delivery. The treatment for this condition would be corrective surgery, which has a high success rate. Sinuses - their development and function Sinus development begins in the womb and is completed in adolescence. There are four groups of sinuses located in the skull by their relation to the eyes: Maxillary - below the eyes Frontal - above the eyes Ethmoid - between the eyes Sphenoid - behind the nose The sinuses are air filled chambers that produce mucus which flows into the nose via a single passage from each sinus. They influence the way that air is humidified, warmed and filtered before reaching the lungs. As the sinuses are air filled the skull is therefore lighter. You can be helped to achieve a symptom-free lifestyle. The majority of patients respond to medical treatment involving antibiotics, nasal medication, irrigations and allergy treatment. However, some find only temporary relief using medication and may require further investigation and treatment. How your sinus complaint is assessed Clinic history This provides important information in the assessment and planning of the treatment programme. Endoscopic examination of the nose The Consultant Surgeon uses a fibre optic endoscope to explore the nasal passages. The examination will indicate structural abnormalities, swelling, polyps and significant sinus drainage. CT scanning A CT, or CAT, scan provides a clear and detailed picture of the structure of the sinuses. It can indicate which sinuses are affected and to what extent, allowing the surgeon to plan further treatment for the patient. How has sinus surgery improved? A greater understanding of the sinuses, together with new equipment and techniques, are producing more effective surgery and less discomfort for the patient. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) allows the surgeon to look for pathways of mucus flow and restore them with as little loss of mucous membrane as possible. The result is precise, less traumatic, minimally invasive surgery. This method promotes quicker healing and high levels of surgical success. Should you consider the new approach if you have had previous sinus surgery? Conventional operations were less successful because the procedures were destructive and not directly concerned with the function of the sinuses. Recent advances in diagnostic techniques and instrumentation enable the surgeons to concentrate on the areas most affected and preserve the surrounding structures. Many who were unhappy with the results of traditional surgery have been delighted with the new approach to treatment at the Sinus Surgery Centre. What is the success rate? It has been reported that more than 80% of surgical patients show improvement with the new surgical techniques. Sinus surgery is not curative surgery but the aim is to recover normal function and achieve a symptom free lifestyle. In less than 5% of cases, patients may require secondary minor revision surgery. The majority of these patients achieve the anticipated results.