Sinusitis

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.

• Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
• Most people do not spread sinus infections to other people.
• Sinusitis may be classified as acute sinus infection, subacute sinus infection, chronic sinus infection, infected sinusitis, and noninfectious sinusitis.

Conditions:

• The common cold
• Allergic rhinitis, which is swelling of the lining of the nose
• Small growths in the lining of the nose called nasal polyps
• A deviated septum, which is a shift in the nasal cavity

Types

You may hear your doctor use these terms:

• Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2-4 weeks.
• Subacute sinus inflammation usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
• Chronic inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
• Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

About 35 million Americans have sinusitis at least once each year. It’s more likely if you have:

• Swelling inside the nose like from a common cold
• Blocked drainage ducts
• Structural differences that narrow those ducts
• Nasal polyps
• Immune system deficiencies or medications that suppress the immune system

For children, things that can cause sinusitis include:

• Allergies
• Illnesses from other kids at day care or school
• Pacifiers
• Bottle drinking while lying on the back
• Smoke in the environment

The main things that make sinusitis more likely for adults are infections and smoking.

Acute Sinusitis Symptoms

The main signs include:

• Facial pain or pressure
• "Stuffed-up" nose
• Runny nose
• Loss of smell
• Cough or congestion

You may also have:

• Fever
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Dental pain

It may be acute sinusitis if you have two or more symptoms, or thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge.

Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms

You may have these symptoms for 12 weeks or more:

• A feeling of congestion or fullness in your face
• A nasal obstruction or nasal blockage
• Pus in the nasal cavity
• Fever
• Runny nose or discolored postnasal drainage

You may also have headaches, bad breath, and tooth pain. You may feel tired a lot.

Chronic sinusitis:

Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside your nose and head (sinuses) are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment.

This common condition interferes with the way mucus normally drains, and makes your nose stuffy. Breathing through your nose may be difficult, and the area around your eyes might feel swollen or tender.

Chronic sinusitis can be brought on by an infection, by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or swelling of the lining of your sinuses. Also called chronic rhinosinusitis, the condition can affect both adults and children.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

·         Nasal inflammation

·         Thick, discolored discharge from the nose

·         Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage)

·         Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose

·         Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead

·         Reduced sense of smell and taste

Other signs and symptoms can include:

·         Ear pain

·         Aching in your upper jaw and teeth

·         Cough or throat clearing

·         Sore throat

·         Bad breath

·         Fatigue

Chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis have similar signs and symptoms, but acute sinusitis is a temporary infection of the sinuses often associated with a cold. The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis last at least 12 weeks, but you may have several episodes of acute sinusitis before developing chronic sinusitis. Fever isn't a common sign of chronic sinusitis, but you might have one with acute sinusiti

also

• sinus headache,
• facial tenderness,
• pressure or pain in the sinuses, in the ears and teeth,
• cloudy discolored nasal or postnasal drainage,
• feeling of nasal stuffiness,
• occasionally facial swelling.

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