More than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of acute sinusitis each year.
An increasing number of people are suffering possibly because of increased pollution, urban sprawl and increased resistance to antibiotics.
Sinusitis is the medical term for inflammation or irritation and swelling of the sinuses. And it’s caused by an infection from viruses, bacteria or both.
Sinuses are the moist air spaces within the bones of the face around the nose. When we’re healthy, our sinuses are filled with air, making our facial bones less dense and much lighter in weight.
Acute sinusitis may be present with two or more symptoms and/or the presence of thick, green or yellow nasal discharge. It’s a short-term condition that responds well to antibiotics and decongestants.
Symptoms last a month or more and include:
- Facial pain/pressure
- Nasal obstruction
- Nasal discharge
- Diminished sense of smell
- Cough not due to asthma (children)
- Cough (adults)
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Dental pain
Chronic sinusitis includes at least four recurrences lasting three months or more each time. Symptoms include:
- Facial pain/pressure
- Facial congestion/fullness
- Nasal obstruction/blockage
- Thick nasal discharge/discolored post-nasal drainage
- Pus in the nasal cavity
- Fever
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
To help relieve pain at home, try warm moist air from a vaporizer. Humidifiers should be used only when a clean filter is in place. This will prevent adding bacteria or fungal spores to the air in your home.
Warm compresses may be useful in relieving pain in the nose and sinuses. And saline nose drops can be helpful in moisturizing nasal passages.
You may also need to consider medication or surgery. Sinus surgery enlarges the natural opening to the sinuses, resulting in a normal flow of mucus.
