Do you suffer from a headache, a runny nose with thick discharge, and nasal congestion? Do you feel debilitating pain and pressure in the face? Sometimes patients also experience fever, weakness, fatigue, and a deterioration in the sense of smell. So infection of the paranasal sinuses is a serious health problem. For example, in the United States, 31 million people suffer from it! American citizens spend more than $1 billion on over-the-counter drugs for their treatment. Let’s consider common symptoms of a sinus infection and discuss what to do if you or your child faces this ailment.
Shocking Sinusitis Data
In 2018, 28.9 million adults were diagnosed with sinusitis. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis accounts for 1 in 5 antibiotic prescriptions in adults. It is the fifth most common reason for prescribing antibiotics. In addition, approximately 6-7% of children with respiratory symptoms have acute rhinosinusitis. This is a huge problem worldwide. One thing is important: to diagnose the disease as soon as possible and take action. It is known that the disease most often occurs in women, and the peak incidence occurs between 45 and 64. However, in general, this disease can bother you at any age!
What Is Sinusitis?
The paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities located on either side of the bridge of the nose, in the bony structure of the cheeks, behind the forehead and eyebrows, behind the nose, and just in front of the brain.
The sinuses are covered with a thin layer of mucus, which traps dust, germs, and other particles from the air. Small hair-like growths in the sinuses push the mucus to openings leading to the back of the throat. From there, it rolls down into the stomach. This continuous process is a normal function of the body. An infection disrupts this process. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. It is usually caused by a bacterial (germ) infection. Sometimes viruses and fungi (mold) are the cause. People with weak immune systems are more likely to develop a bacterial or fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses. People prone to allergies may develop an “allergic fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses.”
An acute paranasal sinus infection usually lasts three to eight weeks. If the illness lasts more than eight weeks, it is considered chronic. An infection of the paranasal sinus near the brain can be life-threatening! In rare cases, it can even spread to the brain.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
The problem is that this disease is easily confused with a cold. Therefore, many do not receive timely and adequate treatment. Headache or facial pain, runny nose, and nasal congestion—indeed, colds have similar symptoms. But unlike the common cold, symptoms of a sinus infection can be caused by bacterial infections. Adequate treatment of sinusitis requires antibiotics—that is, drugs that kill the germs that cause the infection.
How to Diagnose Sinusitis
It is important to act quickly. If you suspect sinusitis, please consult an allergist for an accurate diagnosis. If you do it fast, the treatment will really help! In most cases, it is very treatable.
The Following People Are at Risk
Some people have physical defects that contribute to developing a sinus infection.
It provokes the development of an infection, nasal polyps (benign nasal growths containing mucus), deformation of the bony septum between the two nasal passages, and narrowing of the sinus openings. Alas, people with these defects often suffer from chronic sinus infections. In any case, if you notice mucus flowing down the back of the nose, discolored nasal discharge (or greenish), facial pain (especially under the eyes or on the bridge of the nose), and nasal congestion, be sure to consult a doctor.
You should be alerted by headaches in the forehead, toothaches, coughs, fatigue, fever, and bad breath. Timely diagnosis helps to avoid problems and complications. If the disease is not treated in a timely manner, the consequences can be dire. It can cause meningitis, eye disease, and inflammation of the brain’s blood vessels. In advanced cases, this disease can cause the formation of polyps.
Is a Sinus Infection Contagious?
Sinus infections themselves are not contagious. However, the viruses and bacteria that can cause sinus infections are contagious. So, while you can’t catch a sinus infection directly from someone, you can catch the underlying virus or bacteria that might lead to a sinus infection.
Sinus Infection Treatment
It can be confusing to treat sinusitis with so many options. A qualified doctor can help you choose the right treatment for you. Your doctor may prescribe decongestants, saline nasal irrigation, or over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. Drinking plenty of fluids is essential.
If your sinusitis symptoms do not improve within 10 days, you may need to take more serious measures. You will likely need antibiotics, prescription intranasal steroid sprays, or oral or topical decongestants.
Treatment for chronic sinusitis focuses on the underlying condition. Treatment may include intranasal steroid sprays, topical antihistamine sprays, or tablets.
Adding other treatments such as acupressure, acupuncture, or facial massage may be helpful. These can help reduce the unpleasant symptoms of sinusitis, including discharge, pressure, and pain.
Prevention of Chronic Sinusitis
It is always better to prevent than to treat! First of all, it is important to improve immunity. Therefore, healthy sleep and proper nutrition—for example, eating vegetables and fruits—and the absence of debilitating stressful situations are essential.
If you have an allergy, limiting the factors that cause it as much as possible is very important. This will also protect you from sinusitis. Regularly rinse your nose with seawater or a soft saline solution. Also, take care of the cleanliness and freshness of the air in the room where you are. Also, try to maintain the proper level of humidity.
Conclusions
Are you tormented by this disease? With sinusitis, you need to act quickly to avoid unpleasant symptoms and prevent complications. The specialists at Allergy & Asthma Associates of Southern California have extensive experience and are ready to provide you with all the help you need. We have been caring for patients for over 30 years. Call us at a time convenient for you. We are waiting for you!
