OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who has been diagnosed with sinusitis and is struggling to access treatment.
Q) I HAVE been diagnosed with sinusitis and have an appointment at the ENT department at the hospital, but it keeps getting cancelled.
Is there anything I can get to help in the meantime?
A) Chronic sinusitis can affect physical, mental and even social health, and it is good that you have a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist for assessment, though it is frustrating when appointments get cancelled.
One piece of advice would be to start a daily nasal hygiene routine, a cornerstone of non-surgical management for sinusitis.
Use either a saline nasal spray (such as Sterimar) or a nasal douching system (for example, NeilMed sinus rinse).
You can get these from the pharmacy.
This is good practice for anyone who has nasal symptoms. Keep it next to your toothbrush and get into the habit of spraying or douching every time you brush your teeth.
But make sure to use the formula sachets provided, and not tap water.
This is in addition to using any steroid sprays or drops that might have been advised.
Some find drops are more effective than sprays, and they can take several weeks of consistent use to be fully effective, so stick with it.
The douching helps the steroid medication penetrate the nasal lining more effectively.
TIP: Norovirus is a sickness and diarrhoea bug that spreads in winter. Hand sanitizers are ineffective against it.
The most effective way to prevent its spread is to wash your hands thoroughly in soap and water and to wipe kitchen surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
