A stuffy nose, headache, and facial pressure are common symptoms when it becomes very hot and/or very humid. Maintaining sinus health should form part of your patients’ daily routine to help protect this vulnerable and hardworking area of the body.

According to Dr Mohammed Thandar, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon practising at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, apart from its unpleasant symptoms which can also include a postnasal drip, facial pain, congestion, coughing, and fatigue, sinusitis can lead to serious complications if it is left for too long. “When the nasal passageways become swollen, obstructing the natural pathways for fluid drainage, a build-up of mucus occurs within the sinus, which can result in a secondary bacterial infection.

“Symptoms may persist for many weeks leading to chronic sinusitis and recurrent infections. Certain symptoms, such as a postnasal drip that tracks down the back of the throat into the chest can quite easily result in the development of bronchitis. It can also aggravate pre-existing conditions, such as asthma,” he said.

“Furthermore, untreated acute sinusitis has been known to lead to orbital complications including eye pain, swelling of the eyelids, a bulging eye, visual changes and visual loss, as well as intracranial complications such as inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain, resulting in severe headaches, a change in level of consciousness, seizures, and even coma. This can necessitate emergency surgery,” he said.

Dr Pradeep Soni, an ENT surgeon practising at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital added that although such complications may not be common, sinusitis occurs in almost all people and incorporating nasal hygiene habits into their daily routine is therefore an important ongoing preventative care measure.

Dr Soni recommends taking the following steps:

• Practice good hygiene by washing hands and avoiding contact with people who are sick.
• Use a nasal saline rinse daily to help keep sinuses clear of infection.
• Use a humidifier to prevent sinuses from drying out and becoming inflamed in dry, heated environments.
• Address dental problems to prevent oral infections from spreading to the sinuses.
• Quit smoking, as it irritates the sinuses and damages their normal drainage mechanism thereby increasing the risk of infections.
• Avoid allergens. Allergies are a trigger of sinusitis for many people and it is important to limit exposure to allergens – which may range from dust mites to pollens, animals, grass and others. Controlling your allergies, as indicated by your healthcare professional, will also prove helpful.

“An extremely common condition among the entire population and affects millions of people globally. It is therefore advisable for everyone to practise good nasal hygiene all year round,” said Dr Soni, noting that if sinusitis continues or worsens, it is important for patients to see their GP who may prescribe certain treatments to address the infection, such as a nasal decongestant spray or oral decongestant for short term use, antibiotics, nasal steroids to reduce inflammation, and in the case of allergies, antihistamines.