:: Health Conditions - Allergy
Sinusitis
The sinuses are small empty caverns in the bony skull. They
are lined by mucus membranes and connect with the nasal passages. Some sinuses
are present at birth; others continue to grow and develop for the first 20 years
of life.
Sinusitis is the name given when the lining of one or more of these
sinuses is red, swollen, and tender, the opening is blocked, and the sinus is
at least partially filled with fluid (mucus and/or pus).
Technically, every cold is also a case of viral sinusitis.
However, when doctors use the term sinusitis they are usually
referring to a bacterial infection in the sinuses.
Acute bacterial sinusitis has been present for less than three
or four weeks; subacute bacterial sinusitis has been present
for up to about ten weeks; and chronic bacterial sinusitis
has been present for about ten weeks or more. The three may
have different causes and treatments.Have you ever had cold
symptoms that lasted more than several days? If so, chances
are you may have had acute sinusitis, an inflammation of the
nasal sinuses. Experts estimate that 31 million people develop
sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health
conditions in America. That is one reason why it is extremely
important to learn about the signs and symptoms of sinusitis.
Symptoms of sinusitis may include:
- profuse, thick, colored nasal drainage
-
bad tasting post-nasal drip
- cough
- head congestion/headache
- a plugged up nose
- a feeling of facial swelling
- toothache
- constant tiredness
- occasionally a fever.
You have sinusitis when:
- Cough
Sometimes
- Extreme axaustion Never
- Facial Pressure Yes
-
Feweer Sometimes
- Nasal Congestion Yes
- Nasal discharge Thick,
Yellow-Green
- Runny nose Often
- Sneeying No
- Sore throath
No
- Tiredness and Weakness Mild
Who gets it?
Anyone can
get a sinus infection. Colds or nasal allergies are usually present first. Sinus
infections are also more common when there is exposure to cigaterre smoke. Is
it contagious?
In general, sinus infections are not contagious (although there
have been rare outbreaks associated with swimming together). The colds that can
lead to sinus infections are quite contagious. How is it treated?
Acute
and subacute bacterial sinusitis is usually best treated with appropriate antibiotics
(zithromax,
ampicilin)at
an appropriate dose for the appropriate amount of time (usually 14-21 days). The
antibiotics are usually continued for at least 7 days after symptoms disappear.
If symptoms worsen or do not improve, the antibiotic is usually changed early
in the course.
Saline nose drops may thin the
mucus and speed healing. Decongestants may help symptoms,
but usually do not speed healing. Antihistamines
may thicken the mucus and slow healing.
Allergists
also recommend several non-drug treatments such as breathing in hot, moist air,
applying hot packs to the face and washing the nasal cavities with buffered salt
water. In certain cases, Endoscopic surgery to correct structural problems of
the nose may be needed in more serious cases of chronic sinusitis. If there is
the possibility of surgery to correct the sinusitis, your allergist will be able
to make the proper referral to a surgeon.
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