The medical history (anamnesis) represents an important component in the diagnosis of sinusitis (sinusitis/inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses) or rhinosinusitis (simultaneous inflammation of the nasal mucosa (“rhinitis”) and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses (“sinusitis“)).
Family history
- Is there a history of frequent upper respiratory tract infections in your family?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Do you notice any obstruction to nasal breathing?
- Do you have secretions flowing from your nose?
- Do you have secretions flowing down the back of your throat?
- Have you noticed a deterioration in your sense of smell?
- Do you have pain or a feeling of pressure in the area of the cheeks or forehead?
- Do you have a facial pain?
- Do you suffer from a headache?
- Do you have discomfort in the area of the teeth and periodontium?
- Do you have an increase in pain with forward bending posture?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you have a strong feeling of illness?
- How long have you had the symptoms?
- Have you had these complaints before in the last twelve months? Have you noticed an improvement in the complaints in the meantime?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis
- Do you eat a balanced diet?
- Have you recently taken a long-haul flight?
- Have you recently gone scuba diving?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
Self history including medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (infections; dental diseases (eg, dental root abscesses); reflux disease; allergic rhinitis).
- Operations (previous operations in the area of the nose or sinuses; dental and/or maxillofacial surgery)).
- Allergies
- Environmental history
- Medication history (α-sympathomimetic (alpha-sympathomimetic) abuse; immunosuppression).
