Sinusitis diagnosis and treatment
Sinusitis infection diagnosis is done through medical history assessment and a thorough physical examination is conducted. It is highly essential to differentiate sinusitis from other ailments like cold or simple upper respiratory infection.
Sinus due to bacteria is treated with antibiotics; however antibiotics will not help if the sinusitis is caused by viruses. Viral illnesses and upper respiratory infections too are caused by viruses so proper diagnosis is very important to treat appropriately. Also, excess dose of antibiotics may be dangerous as it can lead to antibiotic resistance.
CT scan: Usually diagnosing acute sinusitis is easy and does not require CT scan. If at all, test is required the scan will clearly show the paranasal sinuses, any swollen in the nasal passage and other structures surrounding the facial area. CT scan will let you know the following:
Ultrasound: Another diagnostic tool for sinusitis is ultrasound; it is very fast and reliable and not as expensive as CT scan. Ultra sound is still not considered as a diagnostic tool by doctors especially when it comes to ear, throat and nose problems as the results are not elaborate.
Treating sinusitis
Sinusitis is usually treated with antibiotics and the dosage of the medicine depends on the acuteness of the illness. Viral infection sinusitis usually goes away after few days; antibiotic penicillin is most often given to patients who suffer from sinusitis caused by bacteria. In case of chronic sinusitis, culture sample is required to diagnose and treat the condition. Other treatments include nebulized antibiotics given through nose or intravenous antibiotics injected in the blood.
Sinus due to bacteria is treated with antibiotics; however antibiotics will not help if the sinusitis is caused by viruses. Viral illnesses and upper respiratory infections too are caused by viruses so proper diagnosis is very important to treat appropriately. Also, excess dose of antibiotics may be dangerous as it can lead to antibiotic resistance.
CT scan: Usually diagnosing acute sinusitis is easy and does not require CT scan. If at all, test is required the scan will clearly show the paranasal sinuses, any swollen in the nasal passage and other structures surrounding the facial area. CT scan will let you know the following:
- Help to identify the air /fluid level in the sinuses area
- Show the total blockage in sinuses
- Enlarged and thickening of inner lining of the sinuses
- Mucosal thickening is also identified in person who does not have any sinusitis symptoms, so it is advisable to correlate CT scan findings with physical examination to diagnose Sinusitis infection.
Ultrasound: Another diagnostic tool for sinusitis is ultrasound; it is very fast and reliable and not as expensive as CT scan. Ultra sound is still not considered as a diagnostic tool by doctors especially when it comes to ear, throat and nose problems as the results are not elaborate.
Treating sinusitis
Sinusitis is usually treated with antibiotics and the dosage of the medicine depends on the acuteness of the illness. Viral infection sinusitis usually goes away after few days; antibiotic penicillin is most often given to patients who suffer from sinusitis caused by bacteria. In case of chronic sinusitis, culture sample is required to diagnose and treat the condition. Other treatments include nebulized antibiotics given through nose or intravenous antibiotics injected in the blood.