Sinus infection in Oslo
Sinusitis is a common condition that often causes a blocked nose, facial pressure, headache and pain around the forehead, cheeks or eyes. Symptoms often occur in connection with a cold, and many people find that they become worse when bending forwards.
At Easy Clinic, you can have symptoms of sinusitis assessed, have your nose, throat and airways examined, and receive treatment if the doctor considers it necessary.
Appointment booking
At Easy Clinic, you can have symptoms of sinusitis assessed, have your nose, throat and airways examined, and receive treatment if the doctor considers it necessary.
Appointment booking
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis means that the lining of the sinuses and nose is inflamed. The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the face, including the forehead, cheeks and areas around the nose. When the lining becomes swollen, drainage from the sinuses may be reduced. This can cause pressure, pain and nasal congestion.
Sinusitis often develops after a cold or another respiratory infection. Most cases are caused by viruses and resolve without antibiotics. In some cases, sinusitis may be caused by bacteria, particularly when symptoms are severe, persist for a long time or worsen after a period of improvement.
Symptoms resembling sinusitis can sometimes be caused by allergies, nasal polyps, irritation of the lining, dental problems or persistent nasal congestion. A medical assessment may therefore be useful if symptoms are pronounced or long-lasting.
Sinusitis often develops after a cold or another respiratory infection. Most cases are caused by viruses and resolve without antibiotics. In some cases, sinusitis may be caused by bacteria, particularly when symptoms are severe, persist for a long time or worsen after a period of improvement.
Symptoms resembling sinusitis can sometimes be caused by allergies, nasal polyps, irritation of the lining, dental problems or persistent nasal congestion. A medical assessment may therefore be useful if symptoms are pronounced or long-lasting.
Common symptoms of sinusitis
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but typical signs of sinusitis include:
Many people experience sinus symptoms during a cold. A blocked or runny nose, cough and mild facial pressure are common. If the symptoms persist, become more severe or return after initially improving, a medical assessment may be appropriate.
When should you contact a doctor?
You should consider seeking medical advice if the symptoms are severe, persist for a long time, become worse, or if you are unsure whether they may be caused by sinusitis or another condition.
It is particularly important to contact a doctor if you:
It is particularly important to contact a doctor if you:
Swelling around the eye, changes in vision, a severe headache, neck stiffness or being clearly unwell may be signs of a more serious infection. You should seek prompt medical assessment.
Examination for suspected sinusitis
If sinusitis is suspected, the doctor will assess your symptoms, how long they have lasted and how they have developed. The doctor may examine your nose, throat, ears and lymph nodes, and check for tenderness over the sinuses.
In many cases, the assessment is based on the symptoms and examination. Blood tests or other investigations are usually not needed for uncomplicated sinusitis, but may be considered if the symptoms are severe, unclear or long-lasting.
The doctor will also consider whether the symptoms may be caused by something other than sinusitis, such as allergies, migraine, dental problems, nasal polyps or another respiratory infection.
In many cases, the assessment is based on the symptoms and examination. Blood tests or other investigations are usually not needed for uncomplicated sinusitis, but may be considered if the symptoms are severe, unclear or long-lasting.
The doctor will also consider whether the symptoms may be caused by something other than sinusitis, such as allergies, migraine, dental problems, nasal polyps or another respiratory infection.
Treatment of sinusitis
Treatment of sinusitis is based on your symptoms, how long they have lasted, the examination findings and your general health. Many cases are caused by viruses and resolve without antibiotics. Treatment therefore mainly focuses on relieving symptoms and monitoring how the condition develops.
Antibiotics are not always necessary for sinusitis. They usually have limited benefit in acute sinusitis and are used only in selected cases where the doctor suspects a bacterial infection and the symptoms are pronounced or persistent.
If antibiotics are considered appropriate, treatment is selected based on how long the symptoms have lasted, their severity, previous medical conditions, allergies and national guidelines on antibiotic use.
It is important to follow the doctor’s advice. If your symptoms do not improve, become worse or return soon after treatment, you should contact a doctor again.
Antibiotics are not always necessary for sinusitis. They usually have limited benefit in acute sinusitis and are used only in selected cases where the doctor suspects a bacterial infection and the symptoms are pronounced or persistent.
If antibiotics are considered appropriate, treatment is selected based on how long the symptoms have lasted, their severity, previous medical conditions, allergies and national guidelines on antibiotic use.
It is important to follow the doctor’s advice. If your symptoms do not improve, become worse or return soon after treatment, you should contact a doctor again.
What can you do yourself?
For mild symptoms, it may help to drink fluids as normal, rest and use pain-relieving medication when needed, provided it is suitable for you. Some people find that rinsing the nose with saline or using a saline nasal spray provides relief.
Decongestant nasal sprays can provide short-term relief from a blocked nose, but should not be used continuously for too long. Prolonged use can make nasal congestion worse.
Sleeping with your head slightly raised, avoiding smoke and monitoring whether the symptoms become worse may also help. Self-care can relieve symptoms, but severe or persistent symptoms should be medically assessed.
Decongestant nasal sprays can provide short-term relief from a blocked nose, but should not be used continuously for too long. Prolonged use can make nasal congestion worse.
Sleeping with your head slightly raised, avoiding smoke and monitoring whether the symptoms become worse may also help. Self-care can relieve symptoms, but severe or persistent symptoms should be medically assessed.
Sinusitis or a common cold?
Sinusitis often develops after a cold, and it can be difficult to distinguish between a common cold and sinusitis early in the illness. A blocked or runny nose, cough and mild discomfort are common with a cold.
Sinusitis becomes more likely if you develop clear facial pressure or pain, thick nasal mucus, a reduced sense of smell and symptoms that last longer than a typical cold. It may also be more likely if you initially improve and then become worse again, with increased pain, fever or a greater feeling of illness.
Sinusitis becomes more likely if you develop clear facial pressure or pain, thick nasal mucus, a reduced sense of smell and symptoms that last longer than a typical cold. It may also be more likely if you initially improve and then become worse again, with increased pain, fever or a greater feeling of illness.
Acute sinusitis
Acute sinusitis usually lasts for a shorter period and often occurs after a cold. Many people improve gradually without antibiotics. Treatment often involves pain relief, nasal rinsing, possible short-term use of nasal spray and observation.
If the symptoms are severe, last more than a week without improvement, or become worse after initially improving, further assessment and treatment may be appropriate.
If the symptoms are severe, last more than a week without improvement, or become worse after initially improving, further assessment and treatment may be appropriate.
Persistent sinusitis
If symptoms last for a long time or return frequently, this may indicate persistent or recurrent sinus problems. Possible causes include ongoing inflammation of the lining, allergies, nasal polyps, anatomical factors, irritation or other conditions.
For persistent symptoms, it may be appropriate to assess the pattern of symptoms, previous treatment, allergies, nasal congestion, sense of smell and whether further investigation is needed.
For persistent symptoms, it may be appropriate to assess the pattern of symptoms, previous treatment, allergies, nasal congestion, sense of smell and whether further investigation is needed.
Sinusitis and toothache
Sinus pain can sometimes feel like toothache, particularly in the upper jaw. Dental problems can also cause pain resembling sinusitis. If you have tooth pain, swollen gums, an unpleasant taste in your mouth or recent dental problems, a dental cause should be considered.
The doctor can help assess whether the symptoms are most likely coming from the sinuses or whether you should be examined further by a dentist.
The doctor can help assess whether the symptoms are most likely coming from the sinuses or whether you should be examined further by a dentist.
Recurrent sinusitis
Some people develop sinusitis repeatedly. For recurrent symptoms, it may be useful to look more closely at how often they occur, how long they last, whether allergies are present, whether you have persistent nasal congestion and whether previous treatment has helped.
The aim is to identify the correct assessment and treatment while avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics.
The aim is to identify the correct assessment and treatment while avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Frequently asked questions about sinusitis in Oslo
Can sinusitis resolve on its own?
Yes. Most cases of acute sinusitis resolve on their own, particularly when caused by a virus. Severe symptoms, persistent problems or deterioration should be assessed.
How do I know if I have sinusitis?
Typical symptoms include a blocked nose, facial pressure or pain, headache, thick nasal mucus and pain that becomes worse when bending forwards. The doctor will assess your symptoms and examination findings.
Do I need antibiotics?
Not always. Antibiotics have limited benefit in most cases of acute sinusitis. The doctor will assess the need based on your symptoms, their duration and severity, and your general health.
What helps with sinusitis?
Pain relief, saline nasal rinsing, rest and short-term use of a decongestant nasal spray can provide relief for many people. Severe or persistent symptoms should be medically assessed.
When is sinusitis more serious?
Swelling or redness around the eye, changes in vision, a severe headache, neck stiffness, a high fever or being clearly unwell may indicate a more serious condition. You should contact a doctor promptly.
