In daily life, the name chronic sinusitis may not be unfamiliar. This is a common nasal disease in clinical practice, referring to chronic inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa that lasts for more than three months. Although it may sound like a minor issue with the nose, its impact on the body should not be underestimated.
Professor Shi Jianbo, a professor at Sun Yat sen University, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology, and doctoral supervisor, wrote this article to provide patients with an understanding of the dangers of chronic sinusitis.
The harm of chronic sinusitis mainly manifests in two aspects.

Harm 1: Discomfort affects the quality of life

Firstly, it will trigger a series of uncomfortable symptoms.
Patients often feel nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, as if there is an invisible barrier blocking the circulation of air. Especially in patients with nasal polyps, it can completely block the nasal cavity, leading to difficulty breathing.
Due to inflammation The nasal cavity secretes a large amount of clear, sticky or purulent mucus, which is transparent, yellow white or yellow green in color Some patients may feel their nasal mucus continuously flowing into the throat behind the nose, resulting in& ldquo; Excessive phlegm& rdquo; “ Clear your throat& rdquo; The action.
Headaches or facial swelling are also common problems The location of pain is related to the inflamed sinuses. For example, maxillary sinusitis may cause swelling and pain in the cheeks, while frontal sinusitis may cause pain in the forehead, which can worsen when lowering or bending. Severe frontal sinusitis can cause severe headaches, starting around 10am and ending around 3pm in the afternoon.


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In addition Olfactory disorders can also affect patients' lives Quality, about 60% of patients will experience a decrease in smell, and in severe cases, even complete loss of smell. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as a foreign body sensation in the throat, coughing (especially noticeable at night), lack of energy, and decreased memory.

Hazard 2: May affect the lower respiratory tract

Secondly The harm of chronic sinusitis may also affect the lower respiratory tract. The sinuses are located in the upper respiratory tract, and the secretions produced by inflammation can affect the lower respiratory tract, causing inflammatory reactions and posing a serious threat to lung health Many Children Chronic cough is closely related to the posterior nasal drip of chronic sinusitis.
Meanwhile, literature and clinical experts believe that There is a close relationship between chronic sinusitis and asthma。 In Europe, about 40% of chronic sinusitis patients are accompanied by asthma. With the acceleration of China's industrialization process, this phenomenon has become increasingly evident in our country. According to survey data from 2012, about 11.2% of chronic sinusitis patients in China suffer from asthma, and another 27% of patients have asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness. This means that approximately 40% of patients with chronic sinusitis will experience lower respiratory problems. This not only increases the suffering of patients, but also puts greater pressure on medical resources.
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Chronic sinusitis is not just a simple nasal discomfort, it is a health issue that needs to be taken seriously. Not only does it affect the quality of life of patients, but it may also lead to more serious respiratory diseases. Therefore, we should strengthen our understanding and prevention of chronic sinusitis, seek medical attention in a timely manner, and avoid causing greater harm to the body.