Sinusitis

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis or a sinus infection, is the inflammation of the tissue that lines your sinuses. Your sinuses are hollow cavities behind your nose, around your eyes, and inside your cheekbones. They hold mucus that filters, moistens, and warms the air you breathe.

Sinusitis causes your sinuses to become blocked and filled with fluid. Sinusitis can arise as a result of a number of other conditions, including:

• Allergic rhinitis
• The common cold
• Deviated septum
• Asthma
• Infection
• Fungus
• Nasal polyps

Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts four weeks or less. Most often, acute sinusitis resolves itself within one to one and a half weeks. Chronic sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks, even with medical treatment.

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

Symptoms of a sinus infection include:

• Nasal congestion
• Sinus headaches
• Sleep disturbance
• Thick, yellow-green colored mucus and discharge
• Toothache
• Decreased or lost sense of smell
• Facial pain
• Facial pressure

Some cases of acute sinusitis are accompanied by a fever. It can also lead to an ear infection.

What is the process for diagnosing sinusitis?

Depending on your case, your health care provider can determine if and/or why you have sinusitis, using a few different tests. These include:

Allergy testing

Allergy testing can identify allergies that may be triggering your sinusitis.

Nasal endoscopy

Your allergist can use this procedure to look inside your nasal and sinus passages for blockages.

CT scan

With a CT scan, your allergist can locate abnormalities like nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or narrow drainage passages.

What are my options for treating sinusitis?

To treat your sinusitis, your doctor may offer you antibiotics, steroids, or decongestant nasal spray. The treatment you receive is based on the source of your sinusitis. For example, antibiotics help sinusitis caused by infection, while nasal spray promotes drainage.

At home, you can manage your sinus problems using a number of different strategies, including:

• Saline nasal rinsing
• Over-the-counter pain medicine
• Drinking lots of water
• Getting plenty of rest
• Breathing in hot, steamy air
• Applying hot compresses to your face

If your sinusitis is triggered by allergens, you need to take care to avoid these allergens. You may consider getting an air filter to control particles in the home.

Are you over your sinus problems? Move beyond a poor quality of life and start enjoying yourself again with sinusitis treatment from Midwest Allergy Sinus Asthma today. Book your appointment online or over the phone.