If you’ve ever experienced a sinus infection, you know the pain and misery this entails. You are not alone: Nearly 29 million American adults suffer from sinusitis (the medical term for sinus infection).
Symptoms
Sinusitis is a result of swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages. Symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or allergies. You are likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Nasal congestion that causes breathing difficulty
- Yellowish-green discharge from the nose or back of the throat (postnasal drip)
- Pain, tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead
- Loss of smell and taste
- Pain in the ears, jaw and teeth
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Nausea
Sinusitis may be acute (a short-term inflammation lasting two to four weeks) or chronic (a long-term infection persisting for 12 weeks or more). Many different factors can cause it, including respiratory tract infections (such as colds), allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated nasal septum, immune system disorders and other medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS and gastroesophageal reflux. Your risk factor increases if you suffer from abnormal nasal passages or asthma, smoke tobacco, come into frequent contact with pollutants or have a sensitivity to aspirin.
Treatments
Acute sinus infections are usually treated with over-the-counter decongestants, nasal corticosteroid sprays and pain relievers. Home remedies to relieve discomfort include using a warm, moist washcloth as a compress, a humidifier to moisten the air, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and sleeping with your head elevated.
Unfortunately, chronic sinus infections do not respond as favorably to these types of treatment. They might require strong prescription medications or antifungal drugs.
The first approach to treating sinusitis is to try over-the-counter medications and nasal sprays. For those with acute sinusitis, antihistamines and decongestants are often powerful enough to do the trick. Symptoms should clear up in a week or two. If a bacterial infection is identified, you’ll be given antibiotics.
Prescription medications, corticosteroid sprays and antifungal medications may be recommended, at least initially. If these treatments don’t work, the best solution might be surgery. Patients will undergo one of the following:
- Endoscopic sinus surgery, which utilizes an endoscope mounted with a video camera, allows the surgeon to widen the nasal passageways to remove blockages and open up a path for fluid drainage.
- Balloon dilation surgery, where a catheter is inserted into the sinus cavity and inflated, helps open up the passages and allows fluids to drain.
There are pros and cons to both types of surgery; your doctor will have to decide which is best for your particular symptoms. The good news? Both provide long-term relief and should help clear up your chronic sinusitis.
Call (248) 266-2312 to schedule a consultation.