Treating Sinus Infection
Causes:
The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes) that are lined with mucous membrane. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. In general, mucus and air can move out.
When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus accumulates, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily.
Sinusitis can occur from one of the following situations:
* Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses, which help move mucus out, are not working properly due to some condition.
* Colds and allergies can cause too much mucus production or block the opening of the sinuses.
* A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur or nasal polyps can block the opening of the sinuses.
Sinusitis can be:
* Acute (symptoms lasting up to 4 weeks)
* Subacute (symptoms last for 4-12 weeks)
* Chronic (symptoms lasting 3 months or more)
Acute sinusitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the sinuses resulting from an infection of the upper respiratory tract. Chronic sinusitis refers to prolonged swelling and inflammation of the sinuses that can be caused by bacteria or fungus.
The following factors may increase your risk or your child have sinusitis:
* Allergic rhinitis or hay fever
* Cystic Fibrosis
* Nursery
* Diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly, as syndrome and immotile cilia
* Changes in altitude (flying or diving)
* Large adenoids
* Smoking
* Dental infections (rare)
* Weakened immune system or chemo therapy
Symptoms
The classic symptoms of acute sinusitis in adults usually follow a cold that one does not improve or worsens after 5-7 days of having symptoms. Symptoms include:
* Bad breath or loss of sense of smell
* Cough, often worse at night
Fatigue and general ill feeling
* Fever
* Headache: pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or facial tenderness
* Nasal congestion and discharge
* Sore throat and postnasal drip
The symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks.
The symptoms of sinusitis in children include:
* Cold or respiratory illness that has been improving and then begins to worsen
* High fever, a runny nose with dark, for at least 3 days
* Runny nose, with or without a cough that has been present for more than 10 days and not improving
Exams and Tests
The doctor will examine you or your child or yourself:
* Looking in the nose for signs of polyps
* Shining a light against the sinus (transillumination) for signs of inflammation
* Making percussion on the sinus area to find infection
Regular x-rays of the sinuses are not very accurate in diagnosing sinusitis.
Viewing the sinuses through a fiber-optic scope (called rhinos-copy or nasal) can help diagnose sinusitis. This is usually done by an audiologist (a specialist in problems of the nose, ear and throat).
However, these tests are not very sensitive at detecting sinusitis.
Computed tomography data A CT scan of the sinuses can also be used to help diagnose sinusitis or to evaluate the anatomy in order to determine whether surgery will benefit. If sinusitis is thought to involve tumor or fungal infection may be necessary magnetic resonance sinuses.
If you or your child has chronic or recurrent sinusitis, other tests may include:
* Allergy testing
* Blood tests for HIV or other tests for immunodeficiency
* Ciliary function tests
* Nasal
* Proof of chloride in sweat chloride for cystic fibrosis
Treatment
PERSONAL CARE
Try the following steps to help reduce sinus congestion:
* Apply warm, moist washcloth on the face several times a day
* Drink plenty of fluids to thin mucus
* Inhale steam 2-4 times per day (for example, sitting in the bathroom with the shower running)
* Use nasal saline several times a day
* Use a humidifier
Beware of counter nasal decongestants. May help at first, but using 3 to 5 days can actually worsen nasal congestion.
Also, for sinus pain or pressure:
* Avoid flying when you are congested
* Avoid extreme temperatures, sudden temperature changes and lean forward with head down
* Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen
DRUGS AND OTHER TREATMENTS
Usually not needed antibiotics for acute sinusitis. Most of these infections go away by themselves. Even when antibiotics do help, they can only slightly reduce the time you or your child is sick. Antibiotics may be prescribed prior to:
* Children with runny nose, possibly with a cough that is not improving after 2 to 3 weeks
* Fever greater than 102.2 ° F (39 ° C)
* Headache or facial pain
* Severe swelling around the eyes
Acute sinusitis should be treated for 10-14 days, while chronic sinusitis should be treated 3-4 weeks. Some people with chronic sinusitis may need special medicines to treat fungal infections.
At some point, the doctor will consider prescribing prescription drugs, antibiotics, further testing or referral to an otolaryngologist (a doctor who specializes in nose, throat and ear) or an allergy specialist.
Other treatments for sinusitis include:
* Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help prevent recurrence of the disease
* Avoid your allergy triggers
* Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines to reduce swelling, especially if nasal polyps or allergies
It may also require surgery to clean and drain the sinuses, especially in patients whose symptoms fail to disappear after three months, despite medical treatment, or patients who have more than two or three episodes of acute sinusitis each year . A doctor specializing in ear, nose and throat, also known as an otolaryngologist, can perform this surgery.
Most fungal sinus infections require surgery. Surgical repair of a deviated septum or nasal polyps may prevent the condition from returning.
Prognosis
Prognosis-Usually, sinus infections are cured with personal care and medical treatment. If you are having recurrent attacks, you should be checked for underlying causes such as nasal polyps or other problems such as allergies.
Possible complications
Possible complications
Although very rare, complications can include:
* Abscess
* Bone infection
* Meningitis
* Infection of the skin around the eye (orbital cellulitis)
Call your health care provider
Call your health care provider
Call your doctor if:
* The symptoms last longer than 10-14 days or have a cold that gets worse after 7 days.
* Suffers from a severe headache that is not relieved with nonprescription medications.
* Fever.
* You still have symptoms after taking all antibiotics properly.
* Present any changes in your vision for a sinus infection.
A green or yellow discharge does not necessarily indicate a sinus infection or the need for antibiotics.
Prevention
The best way to prevent sinusitis is to avoid or quickly treat flu
and colds:
* Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and other chemicals that could boost the immune system and help the body resist infection
* Get vaccinated annually against influenza
* Reduce stress
* Wash hands frequently, particularly after shaking hands with others
Other tips for preventing sinusitis:
* Avoid smoke and pollutants
* Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture in the body
* Take decongestants during an infection of the upper respiratory
* Treat allergies quickly and appropriately
* Use a humidifier to increase moisture in the nose and sinuses