Sinusitis is one of the UK’s most common health concerns. Although it doesn’t usually have serious implications, it can be a very unpleasant condition to experience.

The symptoms of sinusitis are similar to a head cold and typically include fatigue, difficulty breathing through the nose and generally feeling run down. The tell-tale symptom is pain around the actual sinuses – behind the eyes, nasal cavity and forehead. In severe cases, the symptoms of sinusitis can be quite debilitating.

Sinusitis sufferers also often report a feeling of pressure in this area of the face. This is caused by a build-up of mucus that isn’t draining properly. Our nasal airways are coated with a thin layer of mucus, which helps trap harmful bacteria and acts as a filter. A build up of mucus can occur when too much mucus is produced, if it becomes too thick or if it can’t drain properly. Colds are often responsible for this excess mucus, but the problem can also be triggered by other viral infections. Either way, the result is often painful.

The good news is that around 95% of sinusitis cases are acute, which means they only last one or two weeks and should clear up by themselves. A wide variety of treatment options are available that can help alleviate symptoms. As a first step, try inhaling eucalyptus, menthol or olbas oil dissolved in hot water. These inhalations can help open up the nasal airways and relieve the feeling of facial pressure. This is palliative treatment, so it only provides temporary relief. It may also be worth asking your pharmacist to recommend a good decongestant nasal spray as these tend to have longer-lasting effects.

Painkillers are the obvious choice for alleviating headaches and facial pain, but take care not to exceed the stated dosage, however much discomfort you’re in. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen are particularly effective because they have the added advantage of reducing any inflammation or swelling inside the nose.

As with all illnesses, prevention is better than cure, so if you feel yourself coming down with a cold, it’s best to try and nip it in the bud before it has a chance to develop into full-blown sinusitis. Taking high doses of vitamin C every few hours will boost your immune system, and zinc is also known to help fight viral infections, but it’s important to take them as soon as you first start to experience symptoms.

If the sinusitis lasts longer than about ten days and shows no signs of improvement, then it’s time to pay your GP a visit. If the condition was caused by an infection, the above remedies are unlikely to work long-term, and antibiotics may be required. In most cases, these will work quickly to tackle the root of the problem, while the painkillers will help to mask the symptoms until the sinusitis has fully cleared up.

Only a small percentage of sinusitis cases don’t respond to any form of medication. If the above treatments aren’t working, your GP may refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. If the sinusitis lasts for several weeks or is recurrent, it is usually classed as chronic. This can mean that it’s trickier to treat, because the cause of the condition is probably more complicated than a simple infection.

After other forms of treatment have been tried and have failed, surgical intervention may be an option for sufferers of chronic sinusitis. Although this may sound drastic, surgery is generally regarded as a safe and effective way to treat sinusitis.

There are two main options when it comes to surgery. The most common is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS). This involves inserting a catheter with a tiny camera into the nose, enabling the surgeon to see inside the nasal cavity. The sinus opening is then widened by removing small amounts of bone and tissue, effectively restructuring the airway to enable the mucus to drain properly and to reduce the feeling of pressure. There is a certain amount of post-operative pain and swelling even though the procedure is only minimally invasive, but most patients would agree that it’s worth it.

The second technique is newer and is known as Balloon Sinuplasty. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a tiny balloon into the nose via a catheter. The balloon is then slowly inflated to gently push against the walls of the sinuses, widening them and allowing the air to circulate more freely. Like ESS, Balloon Sinuplasty also restores natural drainage function, helping to prevent the painful build up of mucus. The advantage with this particular technique is that it isn’t as invasive and there is less post-operative pain. Patients can often return to to work the next day, although there may be some residual pain or swelling.

Most of us are likely to experience a bout of sinusitis at some stage in our lives, but it’s rarely anything to worry about. As with all health conditions, if over-the-counter remedies don’t work, or you’re in any way concerned, a visit to your GP should put your mind at rest or at the very least inform you of all the treatment options open to you.