After you explain your history of symptoms, have your face and forehead examined, and perhaps have a sinus x-ray taken, the doctor says you have sinusitis. This simply means that your sinuses are infected or inflamed, but it gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause.
The sinuses are hollow air spaces in the human body. There are four pairs of cavities, or sinuses, known as paranasal sinuses, located within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose. Each sinus has an opening into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucous, and each is joined with the nasal passages by a continuous mucous membrane lining.
Therefore, anything that causes swelling in the nose – an infection, an allergic reaction or an immune reaction – can all affect the sinuses. Air trapped with a blocked sinus, along with pus or other secretions, may cause pressure on the sinus wall. The result is the sometimes intense pain of a sinus attack.
Health professionals usually divide sinusitis cases into three categories: acute, which lasts for three weeks or less; chronic, which usually lasts for three to eight weeks but can continue for months and even years, and recurrent, which is several acute attacks within a year.
Quite a considerable number of Maltese people are affected by sinusitis every year and spend hundreds of liri on medications that promise relief.
But what are the symptoms of sinusitis? Most people with sinusitis have pain and tenderness in several locations; this depends on which sinus is affected. Typical of a sinus problem is when you wake up in the morning with a headache. Feeling pain when touching the forehead may indicate that your frontal sinuses are inflamed. Infection in the maxillary sinuses (inside the cheekbones) can cause your upper jaw and teeth to ache and render your cheeks tender to the touch.
The ethmoid sinuses are situated just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, and inflammation of these cavities often causes swelling of the eyelids and the tissues around the eyes, and pain between the eyes. This type of inflammation can also cause tenderness when the sides of your nose are touched, a loss of smell and a stuffy nose.
The sphenoid sinuses, found behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes, are less-frequently affected. Infection in this area can cause earache, neck pain and deep aching at the top of the head.
However, most people with sinusitis encounter pain and tenderness in several locations, and have symptoms that do not clearly indicate which area is inflamed. These symptoms may include fever, weakness, tiredness, a cough – that may be more severe at night – a runny nose and/or nasal congestion.
Since your nose can get stuffy when you have a condition like a common cold, you may confuse simple nasal congestion with sinusitis. A cold, however, usually lasts about seven to 14 days and disappears without treatment.
Acute sinusitis often lasts longer and typically causes more symptoms than just a cold. Your doctor can diagnose sinusitis and identify a possible cause; he may also suggest treatments that will reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms.
However, you should use over-the-counter or prescription decongestant nose drops and sprays for only a few days. If you use these medicines for longer periods, they can lead to even more congestion and swelling of your nasal passages.
If bacteria caused your sinusitis, antibiotics, used along with a nasal or oral decongestant, will usually help. Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic that fights the type of bacteria most commonly associated with sinusitis.
It is of utmost importance to consult your physician before you decide to take any kind of medication for sinusitis and follow the doctor’s instructions for dosage and amount of days of medication. If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important that you take all the medication just as your doctor instructs, even if the symptoms have gone.
As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To avoid developing sinusitis during a cold or allergy, keep your sinuses clear by using a nasal decongestant. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids especially water; this will help keep the nasal discharge thin. One should also avoid drinking alcohol, since it causes the nasal and sinus membranes to swell.
If you are prone to getting sinus disorders, especially if you have allergies, you should avoid cigarette smoke or other air pollutants. Also, if you suspect that your sinus inflammation may be related to dust, mould, pollen or any of the hundreds of allergens that can trigger an upper respiratory reaction, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor can perform various tests to determine whether you have an allergy and its cause. This will help you and your doctor take appropriate steps to reduce or limit your allergy symptoms.