Sinusitis

Sinus issues are basically caused by closed nasal passages.  These passages can close due to allergic response to some substance toxic to you, or too much dry air.  My sinuses are terrible because I seem to be allergic to a number of things.  Wheat, pet mammals, household dust, cheap perfume; those are the biggies.  When my nasal passages close up due to allergy, the cavaties build up mucus, which grows bacteria and creates an infection.

I prevent infection by using generic nasal spray each night before I go to bed.  It keeps my sinus passages open, drained and clear.  If I still get a sinus infection, I use a small plastic squeeze bottle filled with very warm water that has some salt in it to irrigate my sinus cavaties.  I squeeze a flood of salty water through my nostril and wash out my entire sinus.  Its rough, and leaves me feeling somewhat run over for a few minutes, but three treatments in two days will always clear up my infections.

The best thing is, I almost never get sinus infections these days, because I avoid all of my allergens and use the generic afrin at night (only at night.  Daytime use will create additional problems for you).

Acute sinusitis (acute rhinosinusitis) causes the cavities around your nasal passages (sinuses) to become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up.

With acute sinusitis, it may be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face may feel swollen, and you may have throbbing facial pain or a headache.

Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Other triggers include bacteria, allergies and fungal infections. Treatment of acute sinusitis depends on the cause. In most cases, home remedies are all that’s needed. However, persistent sinusitis can lead to serious infections and other complications. Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks, or keeps coming back, is called chronic sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis symptoms often include:

  • Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat
  • Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
  • Aching in your upper jaw and teeth
  • Reduced sense of smell and taste
  • Cough, which may be worse at night

Other signs and symptoms can include:

  • Ear pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Fatigue
  • Fever

When to see a doctor
If you have mild symptoms of sinusitis, try self-care.

Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:

  • Symptoms that don’t improve within a few days or symptoms that get worse
  • A persistent fever
  • A history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis

See a doctor immediately if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a serious infection:

  • Pain or swelling around your eyes
  • Swollen forehead
  • Severe headache
  • Confusion
  • Double vision or other vision changes
  • Stiff neck
  • Shortness of breath

When you have sinusitis, the mucous membranes of your nose, sinuses and throat (upper respiratory tract) become inflamed. Swelling obstructs the sinus openings and prevents mucus from draining normally, causing facial pain and other sinusitis symptoms.

Blocked sinuses create a moist environment that makes it easier for infection to take hold. Sinuses that become infected and can’t drain become pus filled, leading to symptoms such as thick, yellow or greenish discharge and other symptoms of infection.

Acute sinusitis can be caused by:

  • Viral infection. Most cases of acute sinusitis are caused by the common cold.
  • Bacterial infection. When an upper respiratory tract infection persists longer than seven to 10 days, it’s more likely to be caused by a bacterial infection than by a viral infection.
  • Fungal infection. You’re at increased risk of a fungal infection if you have sinus abnormalities or a weakened immune system.

Some health conditions can increase your risk of getting a sinus infection that causes sinusitis, or can increase your risk of getting sinusitis that isn’t caused by an underlying infection. These conditions include:

  • Allergies such as hay fever. Inflammation that occurs with allergies may block your sinuses.
  • Nasal polyps or tumors. These tissue growths may block the nasal passages or sinuses.
  • Deviated nasal septum. A crooked septum — the wall between the nostrils — may restrict or block sinus passages.
  • Tooth infection. A small number of cases of acute sinusitis are caused by an infected tooth.
  • Enlarged or infected adenoids in children. Adenoids are located in the upper back part of the throat.
  • Other medical conditions. The complications of cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or immune system disorders may result in blocked sinuses or an increased risk of infection.

You may be at increased risk of getting sinusitis if you have:

  • Hay fever or another allergic condition that affects your sinuses
  • A nasal passage abnormality, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors
  • A medical condition such as cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or an immune system disorder such as immunoglobulin or antibody deficiency
  • Regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke

Acute sinusitis complications include:

  • Asthma flare-ups. Acute sinusitis can trigger an asthma attack.
  • Chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may be a flare-up of a long-term problem known as chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts longer than 12 weeks.
  • Meningitis. This occurs when infection spreads to the lining of the brain.
  • Vision problems. If infection spreads to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or even blindness. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent potentially permanent damage.
  • Ear infection. Acute sinusitis may occur along with an ear infection.