In sinusitis, colds and allergies can cause excessive mucus to form or block the opening of the sinus cavity. Deviations inthe nasal septum, nasal bone spurs or nasal polyps can block the opening of the sinuses. Chronic infections can cause mucosal inflammation and swelling. This causes nasal congestion, facial pressure, headache, cough and fatigue, and the most prominent symptom is a loss of smell and taste.

Difference between sinus infection and common cold

Many times patients mistake sinus infection for common cold, but both diseases are different and their symptoms and treatment also differ. Inflammation in the sinuses is the cause of sinus infection. On the other hand, common cold is caused by viral infection and affects the upper respiratory tract and mainly the nose.
For sinus infection caused by virus, mainly rhinovirus, influenza virus and parainfluenza virus are the causes. Sometimes a sinus infection can last for several weeks in a patient, whereas a common cold is mainly caused by rhinovirus and it gets cured in a few days.
The symptoms of sinus infection are severe and the person feels watery eyes, headache, facial pain and pressure in the sinuses. On the other hand, in a common cold, a person feels sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and headache.
Congestion caused by sinus infection does not give relief to the patient even with decongestant medicines, whereas in a common cold, relief is immediate.

Types of Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be of different types depending on the duration, affected sinus and cause. Here is a quick classification of sinusitis based on various parameters:

Based on duration

Acute sinusitis: It usually lasts less than four weeks and is often caused by a bacterial infection following a cold or upper respiratory infection.
Subacute sinusitis: Lasting from four to twelve weeks, subacute sinusitis can develop after acute sinusitis and persist longer than usual.
Chronic sinusitis: Lasting longer than 12 weeks, chronic sinusitis involves persistent inflammation and may require more aggressive treatment.
Recurrent sinusitis: Characterized by multiple episodes of acute sinusitis within a year, recurrent sinusitis can significantly impact quality of life and may require long-term management.

Based on the affected sinus

Maxillary sinusitis: Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, which are located behind the cheekbones, is the most common form of sinusitis.
Ethmoid sinusitis: The ethmoid sinuses are located between the eyes and can also become inflamed, leading to sinusitis.
Frontal sinusitis: Inflammation of the frontal sinuses, located in the forehead, can lead to frontal sinusitis.
Sphenoid sinusitis: The sphenoid sinuses, located behind the eyes, may also become inflamed, resulting in sphenoid sinusitis.
Pansinusitis: Pansinusitis, involving inflammation of all the paranasal sinuses, is a severe form of sinusitis that can cause significant discomfort and complications.

Depending on the cause

Fungal sinusitis: This sinusitis caused by a fungal infection can be acute or long-term and usually requires specific antifungal treatment.
Allergic sinusitis: Allergic sinusitis caused by an allergen such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander results in inflammation of the sinuses and often also causes allergic rhinitis.
Bacterial sinusitis: Bacterial sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection often occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection and may require antibiotics for treatment.
Viral sinusitis: This disease is usually caused by viruses such as cold or influenza, and viral sinusitis usually resolves on its own without antibiotics.

31 million patients of sinusitis in the US

About 31 million people in the US are affected by chronic sinusitis, of which more than 15 million people come to the hospital for treatment every year.
Earlier, sinus surgery was very complicated, and it was very painful. Nowadays endoscopic treatments for nose and sinus disorders are very simple and less painful. Their results are also better than before.

Main symptoms of sinusitis
●    Nasal congestion
●    Fever
●    Bad breath
●    Thick discharge from nose
●    Pain in teeth or jaw
●    Decreased ability to smell and taste
●    Fatigue
●    Cold
●    Runny nose
●    Headache
●    Cough
●    Sore throat
●    Pain or pressure on face

Treatment of sinusitis
Most patients of sinusitis directly resort to antibiotics, the side effects of which they have to bear. It can be easily cured with panchkarma, shatkarma, naturopathy and some home remedies. Apart from this, surgery becomes very necessary in serious conditions.

Surgery for sinusitis
Endoscopic sinus surgery: In severe cases of sinusitis, which are not cured by medicines, endoscopic sinus surgery can be done. In this, a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is inserted through the nose into the sinuses to remove blockages, polyps or infected tissue, thereby improving sinus drainage.
Balloon Sinuplasty: In this, a balloon catheter is used to widen the blocked sinus passage and improve drainage.
Patanjali Wellness has created a complete package of Panchkarma, Shatkarma and Naturopathy for the treatment of sinusitis, which includes the following treatments.
●     Nasya Karma
●     Steam Therapy
●     Jalneti
●     Sutranet
●     Vamana
●     Virechan
●     Salt water nasal rinse
●     Hot compress
●     Staying hydrated
●     Pain relievers
●     To prevent sinusitis: Clean the nose, take steam, avoid pollution.

If these symptoms persist, seek medical advice.

Ayurvedic Treatments at Patanjali

According to Ayurveda, the main cause of all diseases in the body is the imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Sinusitis is mainly a cough-borne disease. The use of the following new medicines of Patanjali is very beneficial in sinusitis-
● Swasari Gold Capsule
● Swasari Vati
● Swasari Pravahi
●Broncom
● Swasari Avaleha
● Immunogrit
● Curcumin Gold Capsule
● Anu Tail \ Shadbindu Tail

Along with this, medicines like Laxmivilas Ras, Tribhuvankirti Ras, Godanti Bhasm, Abhrak Bhasm etc. of Patanjali are also very effective medicines. Take medicines as per the advice of the doctor.

Other disorders related to nose and sinus
●     Deviated septum
●     Cerebral spinal fluid leak
●     Fracture of nose
●     Nasal masses and nasal tumors
●     Allergic rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal membrane
●     Chronic sinusitis with polyps: Inflammation of the sinuses that lasts for more than 12 weeks and is related to nasal polyps.
●     Complicated infection of chronic sinusitis without polyps
●     Fungal sinusitis: This includes allergic fungal sinusitis and fungal balls as well as acute or chronic invasive fungal sinusitis
●     Inverted papilloma: Benign tumors that form inside the nose
●    Meningoencephalocele: In which the lining of the brain and/or brain tissue protrudes out of a hole in the skull
●     Nosebleed: What to do during nosebleed. Put 4 drops of Durva Swaras or 4 drops of Sheesham leaf juice in each nostril.
●     Triad asthma: This is a clinical syndrome that has three conditions – asthma, aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyps.

To accurately diagnose the patient's problem, the doctor compiles a complete history of the patient and reviews his past records. Then performs a physical examination of the head and neck, including using a nasal endoscope to evaluate the nasal cavity. If necessary, a biopsy of a polyp or mass can be done using an endoscope. An endoscope is also used to look at the nose, sinuses, and larynx. A CT scan can also be done if necessary.
If a bacterial infection is suspected, there are some modern equipment to obtain a painless culture from the sinuses. This identifies the bacteria in the lab and determines the best medication and other treatment methods.
We use complex medical and minimally invasive surgery in patients with sinus disorders. In some cases, balloon sinuplasty is also used, in which a small balloon is endoscopically inflated in the sinus cavity. This opens up the blocked sinuses, which allows normal drainage, and then removes the balloon. In patients with polyps, many advanced techniques, both medical and surgical, have been developed to slow the growth of polyps.