Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses caused by infection, allergy, or structural defect. Symptoms include nasal congestion, cough, pressure, and headache. Treatment includes medication, warm compresses, and surgery if necessary.
Sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses become irritated and inflamed due to an infection, allergy or structural defect. The mucus is unable to drain properly from the swollen sinus cavities, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms. The most common symptoms of sinusitis include nasal congestion, cough, pressure on the cheekbones and headache. A person may experience an acute attack of sinusitis, in which symptoms last for about a week, or chronic problems that may recur frequently or last more than eight weeks at a time. Doctors can typically evaluate the symptoms of sinusitis and determine the best treatment for acute and chronic problems.
Cases of acute and chronic sinusitis are usually caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. A person who catches a cold or flu virus is likely to experience persistent sinus problems for several days after other symptoms have disappeared. Allergies to dust, smoke, and pollen can also cause chronic sinusitis, as can a direct injury or congenital condition affecting the bone structure of the face.
The most prominent symptoms of sinusitis in both acute and chronic cases are nasal congestion and thick mucus drainage from the nostrils. Mucus can also drip into the throat, causing coughing and throat irritation. Congestion causes pressure to build up in one or more sinus cavities, including the frontal sinuses in the forehead, the maxillary sinuses in the cheeks, and the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses around the eyes. A person may notice that their face is tender to the touch in the areas where the pressure is the worst.
Other symptoms of sinusitis include bad breath, decreased ability to taste and smell, ear pain, and fatigue. Some people experience nausea and suffer from minor headaches due to the constant pressure from the sinus. Pain and headaches tend to get worse when an individual leans forward or stands up quickly. Fever may be present in acute cases, and toothache and jaw pain may result from pressure in the maxillary sinuses.
A person can usually treat mild symptoms of sinusitis at home. Over-the-counter flu or cold medications can break up mucus in the sinuses and promote proper drainage. Taking pain medication and applying a warm, damp washcloth to your face can help relieve pressure and headaches. If symptoms persist for more than a few days, an individual should usually make an appointment with their doctor.
Depending on the cause of a patient’s sinusitis, a doctor might prescribe antibiotics, suggest allergy shots, or recommend surgery to repair structural problems. In cases of chronic sinusitis where a cause cannot be determined, a patient may need to have a surgical procedure called a synoscopy. A surgeon inserts an endoscope into your nose to identify blockages in your sinuses, then removes the mucus with specialized surgical tools.
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