Sinusitis
By Yusra Qadir
Chronic Sinusitis is either recurring or persisting (displaying the symptoms for 3 r more months) sinusitis. A deviated septum or other obstruction of the nose may also trap fluids, causing chronic sinus infections. Initial medical treatment for this as well as acute (one-time) sinusitis is usually antibiotics, if the infection is bacterial. If antibiotics don’t work in the case of chronic sinusitis, surgery can be performed to clean and drain the sinuses and prevent future recurrences.
Do you think you have the world’s worst cold?
- You’re stuffed up.
- Your head is pounding from sinus pressure in front of your head or around your eyes.
- You have a fever.
- Your throat hurts.
- You have a cough.
- You have chills.
- Your nasal mucus is thick, yellow or yellow-green.
- You have pain in the roof of your mouth or in your upper teeth.
- Maybe your face is even swollen around your eyes.
- You feel generally miserable.
You may have sinusitis.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. Sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull that lighten the skull and give your voice resonance. They are lined with mucus-producing membranes and cilia (microscopic hairs) that move the mucus through the small passages toward the nose. The movement of this watery mucus keeps the nasal and throat passages moist and clean of dust, bacteria, viruses and other airborne particles.
When you have a cold or an allergic reaction or are exposed to smoke, pollution or other irritants, the sinus membranes may swell. Once they swell, the mucus doesn’t drain and the cilia become less effective, allowing bacteria and viruses to invade through the nasal passages. This is a sinus infection. Sinus pain results when the sinuses are unable to drain due to swollen membranes blocking passages to the nose. Sinusitis usually occurs as a complication of the common cold or an allergy attack.
The best way to prevent sinusitis is to keep your sinuses clear.
- If you have allergies, avoid those things that may trigger attacks.
- Take antihistamines (like Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, & Tavist) before exposure to allergens to prevent sinus swelling.
- Avoid cigarette smoke. It irritates the sinus membranes and slows the cilia, too.
- Wash your hands frequently (especially before eating and after using the bathroom).
- Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes since this is how cold and flu are often transmitted.
If you are already stuffed up, treat your cold or allergy.
At Home:
- If you have a cold or flu, get plenty of rest to recover as quickly as possible.
- Drink plenty of fluids (a glass of water or juice an hour) to keep nasal mucus thin.
- Use a humidifier or take a hot shower to thin mucus.
- Blow your nose gently.
- Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat.
- Use a salt water spray to reduce nasal swelling. You can make one with a cup of lukewarm water and a teaspoon of salt. Sniff the solution from the palm of your hand or from a clean dropper bottle, or use a non-medicated salt water spray.
- Avoid bending with the head down – this increases sinus pain.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes – this also increases sinus pain.
- Increase humidity
- Most sinus blockages and infections occur in the winter months. This is the time of year when heating is on and the doors and windows are closed, making the inside air very dry.
- The easiest fix to this problem is to increase humidity in the air. You can use a whole-house humidifier that attaches to your furnace. If that is not an option you can use small room-sized humidifiers throughout the house. These are inexpensive and can greatly improve humidity levels. Be sure to keep the water filled and clean the containers often to avoid bacteria and mold build up.
- Alternatively, boil a large pot of water on the stove. The vapor from the boiling water adds humidity to the air. Another quick fix is to sit in the bathroom with the hot shower running for 20 minutes or so.
- Nasal irrigation
- This is a method of running sterile water into the nose. You can buy a small irrigation pot from a health food store and follow the package directions. If you need something a little more portable try using a saline nasal spray. Nasal irrigation works by cleaning the nasal passages and sinus cavities of mucus and thereby, assisting the natural cleaning system of your nasal passages.
- Warm compress
- A wet towel or washcloth can be heated and placed on the face, over the nose and sinuses. This will help clear the sinus cavities by loosening the mucus so that it will drain out more easily. You can purchase warm compress that can be heated in the microwave, from health food stores or pharmacies.
- Eucalyptus or menthol
- Eucalyptus or menthol oil can be used in a steam inhalation to relieve nasal and sinus congestion, in draining mucus and relieving pressure. Menthol is derived from peppermint. It is a natural anesthetic, germicidal and the vapors are an incredible decongestant. Eucalyptus oil is a powerful antiseptic with antibacterial properties. To create an eucalyptus steam inhalation, pour some boiling water into a bowl and add 3 drops of eucalyptus oil. Look down, with your head over the bowl. Cover your head and bowl with a towel. Close your eyes and inhale the steam slowly for 10 minutes.
- You can also put a few drops of eucalyptus on a handkerchief and sniff periodically.
From the Pharmacy:
- Oral decongestants (like Sudafed) reduce sinus swelling and provide relief. Check the label for side effects such as drowsiness.
- Use a decongestant spray to clear your nose, but for no more than three days. After that, it has the opposite effect and can cause stuffiness.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce sinus pain. Generic medicines are as effective as brand names and less costly.
- If you must fly, use a nasal decongestant spray before your plane takes off to allow your sinuses to drain.
Most colds do not turn into a sinus infection, but see a clinician if:
- Home treatment doesn’t relieve sinus pressure in 2-4 days.
- You have a fever and yellow or yellow-green mucus (colored mucus indicates a bacterial infection where antibiotics may help).
- After 5-7 days of a cold, your mucus changes from clear to colored.
- A cold doesn’t improve after 10-14 days.
- Your vision is blurry or changes for the worse.
- You have visible swelling around the eyes (a large sinus area).
- Your sinus headache isn’t relieved by the aspirin or similar pain-killers.
If left unchecked,
a sinus infection can spread to other sinuses, the eyes, ears or throat. It could also damage sinuses, leading to chronic sinusitis.