Friday, May 3, 2013

Rhinitis or Sinusitis?

 What is the difference between rhinitis and sinusitis? 

Rhinitis is a broad term that is used to describe a NOSE issue.  Symptoms include:

  • nasal congestion
  • rhinorrhea (runny nose)
  • post nasal drainage.  

These symptoms are often present on a recurrent or constant basis for people.  These symptoms can be due to allergic rhinitis (allergies) or non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor, medication induced, hormonal or age related changes).  Depending on the cause for the rhinitis, it can be managed through various topical and/or oral medications in addition to saline nasal rinses. 

People often confuse that any problem with their nose, is actually a problem with their sinuses. Sinusitis is a term that is used to describe a SINUS issue.  It is often used when describing an infection within the sinuses.  Sinus infections can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in origin.  Symptoms include:

  • facial pain/pressure
  • dental pain
  • purulent (yellowish-green) drainage
  • at times a fever  

A bad “head cold” is essentially a viral sinus infection, which will resolve on its own, within 14 days usually.  A bacterial sinus infection typically develops when secretions—that get produced in response to a viral or allergic process—do not move and drain properly become stagnant and allow bacteria to grow within them.  

Please call our office for a consultation.

218-454-8888


Thank you!  

Kurtis Waters MD

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