According to a small US study, symptoms of chronic sinusitis can be effectively reduced by using a steroid nasal wash without affecting adrenal gland function. The nasal wash, Budesonide, is yet to get approval from the FDA for such use.

This study is the first-of-its-kind to evaluate safety of such a nasal wash, according to researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Chronic Sinusitis is a continuing inflammation of the nose and sinuses behind it and tends to afflict up to 14 percent of population in the United States.

From Bio-Medicine.Org:

All participants reported at least some improvement in their sinusitis symptoms, and their adrenal gland function was not affected, the study found. The results were published in the March issue of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.

“The clinical significance of this study is that budesonide nasal respules appear safe for short-term use for the relief of symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis,” the researchers concluded. “Budesonide respules seem to provide an effective treatment option for the patient with chronic rhinosinusitis with minimal fear of systemic adverse effects.”

The researchers recommended medical practitioners to advise sinusitis patients about the possible risks associated with use of Budesonide such as reduced bone mineral density, in the long run.