Q. Are rhinitis and sinusitis the same?
Rhinitis is nasal mucosal inflammation; sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Long-standing rhinitis can develop into sinusitis. Korean medicine treats both together.
📝 Detailed Answer
They differ. They are problems of structurally different places.
Rhinitis is a problem of the nasal mucosa. Clear discharge, sneezing and itching are the main symptoms, and allergy is often the background.
Sinusitis is a state where inflammation arises in the hollow spaces within the bones around the nose and pus collects. Yellow sticky discharge, facial pressure and pain, a poor sense of smell, and post-nasal drip are characteristic, and fever sometimes occurs.
The two are connected. When rhinitis swells the mucosa, the sinus openings become blocked and progression to sinusitis is common.
If yellow discharge or blood-stained secretion comes from one side of the nose only, or there is severe headache or swelling around the eye, please be sure to tell us at the consultation. If examination indicates it, we will arrange ENT care.
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Hyo-seop Kim
Chief Director