SINUSITIS (Sinus Infections)
What are sinuses?
Everyone has air chambers in the bone behind their cheeks and forehead that are called sinuses. Sinuses open into the nasal passages. The sinuses, along with much of the rest of the airways, produce mucous.
What is mucous?
Mucous is a fluid that traps bacteria and other particles out of the air we breathe. The body continually sweeps this mucous out the airways, including your nose and throat.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is another name for 'sinus infection,' and is when the linings ofthe sinuses becomes inflamed.
What causes sinusitis?
Anything that causes swelling in your sinuses or keeps the mucous from being cleared can cause sinusitis. This can occur because of changes in temperature or air pressure. Using decongestant nasal sprays too much, smoking, and swimming or diving can also increase your risk of getting sinusitis. Some people have growths called polyps ("pawl-ips") that block their sinus passages.
When sinusitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, it's often called "acute sinusitis." Acute sinusitis sometimes occurs after you've had a cold. The cold virus attacks the lining of your sinuses, causing them to swell and become narrow. Your body responds to the virus by producing more mucus, but it gets blocked in your swollen sinuses. This built-up mucus makes a good place for bacteria to grow. The bacteria can cause a sinus infection.
What are the signs of acute sinusitis?
A cold that starts to get better and then gets worse may be a sign of acute sinusitis. Pain or pressure in some areas of the face (forehead, cheeks or between the eyes) is often a sign of blocked sinus drainage and can be a sign of acute sinusitis. Pain in your forehead that starts when you lean forward can also be a sign. Other symptoms may include a stuffy nose, fever, thick green or yellow nasal mucus, and an ache in your upper teeth.
How is acute sinusitis treated?
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic (medicine that kills bacteria). You may take an antibiotic for 10 to 14 days, but you will usually start feeling better a couple of days after you start taking it. It is important to take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you and to continue taking it until it is gone, even after you're feeling better. If you have sinus pain or pressure, your doctor may prescribe or recommend pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) to help your sinuses drain.
Should I use a humidifier?
Yes, you should consider using a humidifier if the air you breath is dry. Our bodies have wonderful immune systems that line our airways from our nose down to our lungs. These natural defenses work well, but they must be moist in order to work effectively.
Dry air, particularly that found in forced air heating systems, tends to dry the airways. This not only makes us vulnerable to respiratory germs, but also slows our recovery.
If you don't have a humidifier, find some other method of getting moisture into the air. However, putting a pot of water on the stove doesn't put out much moisture compared to humidifiers.
Tips on taking care of sinusitis
- Get plenty of rest. Lying down can make your sinuses feel more stopped-up, so try lying on the side that lets you breathe the best.
- Sip hot liquids and drink plenty of fluids.
- Apply moist heat by holding a warm, wet towel against your face or breathing in steam through a cloth or towel.
- Talk with your doctor before using an over-the-counter cold medicine. Some cold medicines can make your symptoms worse or cause other problems.
- Don't use a nose spray with a decongestant in it for more than 3 days. If you use it for more than 3 days, the swelling in your sinuses may get worse when you stop the medicine.
- Use an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen for pain.
- Rinse your sinus passages with a saline solution. You can buy an over-the-counter saline solution or ask your doctor how to make one at home.
Adapted from the American Academy of Physicians