ENT specialists are very fond of using the word sinus”! The family physicians have picked up this word from them and the public is as afraid of sinus. An acute attack of common cold, which is ‘viral rhinitis’ is often misdiagnosed as an acute attack of ‘sinus’. Most of the chronic sinus patients have simple chronic allergic rhinitis.

Really speaking, the diagnosis of sinus aetiology should be suspected only when a patient complains of aches, discomfort or pain over the sinuses, which are also tender on palpation. Purulent nasal discharge, which is also often trickling behind the uvula and is often brought out after suction through the mouth, is another good symptom to diagnose sinus. Once suspected, an X-ray or even a CT scan of the sinuses will be worthwhile.