A stuffy nose all day… Reporter Kim Dong-wook's story on the proper treatment for sinusitis.

With the number of patients with sinusitis increasing, appropriate treatment methods are drawing attention. Acute sinusitis has symptoms similar to a cold, but caution is required as the treatment methods differ. Treatment for sinusitis typically involves antibiotic-based drug therapy, and auxiliary medications such as antihistamines are also helpful.

According to big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on the 20th, the number of patients with acute sinusitis recorded 3,994,297 last year. This represents a 55.8% increase compared to the previous year (2,564,506). Compared to 2021 (1,955,947), two years ago, the number of patients has more than doubled.

 

Sinusitis is an inflammatory disease that occurs in the sinuses, which are empty spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. Yellow dust and pollen are cited as major causes. The medical community reports that the number of patients has recently increased due to reasons such as weakened immunity caused by air pollution and stress.

 

Sinusitis is broadly classified into acute and chronic types. It is considered acute if symptoms persist within four weeks of onset, and chronic if symptoms last for 12 weeks (three months) or longer. Acute sinusitis presents with symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, malaise, headache, mild fever, and facial pain. Chronic sinusitis primarily manifests as nasal congestion, persistent yellowish nasal discharge, and postnasal drip.

Sinusitis and the common cold have similar symptoms, but there are distinct differences in treatment methods. .

To treat sinusitis caused primarily by bacteria, antibiotics must be administered.

In the case of the common cold, which is primarily caused by viruses, antibiotics are not necessary except in a very small number of cases where a bacterial infection is suspected. This is why you should suspect sinusitis if symptoms persist even after taking medications commonly used to treat the common cold.

 

 

The basis of sinusitis treatment is medication. Antibiotics must be taken for both acute and chronic sinusitis. In addition to antibiotics, it is also beneficial to use various supportive medications. Representative supportive medications include the antihistamine Comekina capsules, which help improve nasal congestion and runny nose, the mucolytic Eldos, and topical steroids.

 

Nasal irrigation with saline solution and humidity control using a humidifier can also be helpful, as they lower mucus viscosity to improve drainage and ciliary movement, and alleviate mucosal bleeding. However, if symptoms do not improve and worsen, you should seek professional help.

 

 

=============

 

Nasal irrigation helps a lot.

It's the same even if it's raining..

 

My younger sibling has very severe sinusitis

I even had surgery,

 

Because it's been 10 years.

 

It's slowly starting again.

It's a really chronic problem.