Information On Sinusitis

Information On Sinusitis
You're coughing and sneezing and tired and achy. You think that you might be getting a
cold. Later, when the medicines you've been taking to relieve the symptoms of the common cold
are not working and you?ve now got a terrible headache, you finally
drag yourself to the doctor. After listening to your history of
symptoms, examining your face and forehead, and perhaps doing a sinus
X-ray, the doctor says you have sinusitis.

Sinusitis simply means inflammation of the sinuses, but this gives little indication of
the misery and pain this condition can cause. Chronic sinusitis, sinusitis that persists
for at least 3 weeks, affects an estimated 32 million people in the United States.
Americans spend millions of dollars each year for medications that promise relief from
their sinus symptoms.

Sinuses are hollow air spaces, of which there are many in the human body. These
cavities, located within the skull or bones of the head surrounding the nose, include the
frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area; the maxillary sinuses inside each
cheekbone; the ethmoids just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes; and
behind them, the sphenoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

Each sinus has an opening into the nose for the free exchange of air and mucus, and
each is joined with the nasal passages by a continuous mucous membrane lining. Therefore,

anything that causes a swelling in the nose - an infection or an allergic reaction - also

can affect the sinuses. Air trapped within an obstructed 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. Similarly, when air is prevented from entering a paranasal sinus by a

swollen membrane at the opening, a vacuum can be created that also causes pain.

Sinusitis has its own localized pain signals, depending upon the particular sinus
affected. Headache upon awakening in the morning is characteristic of sinus involvement.

Pain when the forehead over the frontal sinuses is touched may indicate inflammation of

the frontal sinuses. Infection in the maxillary sinuses can cause the upper jaw and teeth
to ache and the cheeks to become tender to the touch. Since the ethmoid sinuses are near

the tear ducts in the corner of the eyes, inflammation of these cavities often causes

swelling of the eyelids and tissues around the eyes, and pain between the eyes.

Ethmoid inflammation also can cause tenderness when the sides of the nose are touched,

a loss of smell, and a stuffy nose. Although the sphenoid sinuses are less frequently

affected, infection in this area can cause earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top

of the head.

However, most patients with sinusitis have pain or tenderness in several locations, and

symptoms usually do not clearly define which sinuses are inflamed.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, tiredness, a cough that may be

more severe at night, and runny nose or nasal congestion. In addition, drainage of mucus
from the sphenoids (or other sinuses) down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) can

cause a sore throat and can irritate the membranes lining the larynx (upper windpipe). On
rare occasions, acute sinusitis can result in brain infection and serious

complications.

Most cases of acute sinusitis are preceded by virus-induced "colds."
These viral "colds" do not cause symptoms of sinusitis, but they do
cause inflammation of the sinuses. Both the "cold" and the sinus
inflammation usually resolve without treatment in two weeks. However,
the inflammation might explain why colds increase the likelihood of
developing acute sinusitis. For example, the nose reacts to an invasion
by viruses that cause infections such as the common cold, flu, or
measles by producing mucus and sending white blood cells to the lining
of the nose, which congest and swell the nasal passages. When this
swelling involves the adjacent mucous membranes of the sinuses, air and
mucus are trapped behind the narrowed openings of the sinuses. If the
sinus openings become too narrow to permit drainage of the mucus, then
bacteria, which normally are present in the respiratory tract, begin to
multiply. Most healthy people harbor bacteria, such as Streptococcus
pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, in their upper respiratory
tracts with no ill effects until the body's defenses are weakened or
drainage from the sinuses is blocked by a cold or other viral
infection. The bacteria that may have been living harmlessly in the
nose or throat can multiply and cause an acute sinus infection.

Sometimes, fungal infections can cause acute sinusitis. Although these organisms are
abundant in the environment, they usually are harmless to healthy people, indicating that

the human body has a natural resistance to them. Fungi, such as Aspergillus, can cause
serious illness in people whose immune systems are not functioning properly. Some people

with fungal sinusitis have an allergic-type reaction to the fungi.

Chronic inflammation of the nasal passages (rhinitis) also can lead to sinusitis.
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever (discussed below) may be complicated by episodes of acute

sinusitis. Patients with allergic rhinitis
also often have chronic sinusitis. Vasomotor rhinitis, caused by
humidity, cold air, alcohol, perfumes, and other environmental
conditions, also may be complicated by sinus infections.

Acute sinusitis is much more common in certain patients than in the general population.
For example, sinusitis occurs more often in patients with reduced immune function (such as

patients with immune deficiencies and HIV infection) and with abnormality of mucus
secretion or mucus movement (such as cystic fibrosis and diseases of abnormal cilia

[Kartagener's syndrome]).

Chronic sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that continues for at least 3
weeks, but often continues for months or even years.

Patients with Asthma.html">asthma have a particularly
high frequency of chronic sinusitis. Inhalation of airborne allergens
(substances that provoke an allergic reaction), such as dust, mold, and
pollen, often set off allergic reactions (allergic rhinitis) that, in
turn, may contribute to sinusitis. People who are allergic to fungi can
develop a condition called "allergic fungal sinusitis."

Damp weather, especially in northern temperate climates, or pollutants in the air and
in buildings also can affect people subject to chronic sinusitis.

Like acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis is more common in patients with immune
deficiency or abnormalities of mucus secretion or movement (e.g., immune deficiency, HIV

infection, cystic fibrosis, Kartagener's syndrome). In addition, some patients have severe
asthma, nasal polyps, and severe asthmatic responses to aspirin and aspirin-like

medications (so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs). These latter
patients have a high frequency of chronic sinusitis.

After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, a
doctor can prescribe a course of treatment that will reduce the
inflammation and relieve the symptoms.

Acute sinusitis is treated by re-establishing drainage of the nasal passages,
controlling or eliminating the source of the inflammation, and relieving the pain. Doctors

generally recommend decongestants to reduce the congestion, antibiotics to control a
bacterial infection, if present, and pain relievers to reduce the pain.

Over-the-counter and prescription decongestant nose drops and sprays, however, should
not be used for more than a few days. When used for longer periods, these drugs can lead

to even more congestion and swelling of the nasal passages.

Although people cannot prevent all sinus disorders - any more than they can avoid all
colds or bacterial infections - they can take certain measures to reduce the number and

severity of the attacks and possibly prevent sinusitis from becoming chronic.

A person susceptible to sinus disorders, particularly one who also
is allergic, should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.
Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies predisposes a patient to a
strong reaction to all irritants. Drinking alcohol also causes the
nasal-sinus membranes to swell.

Sinusitis-prone persons may be uncomfortable in swimming pools
treated with chlorine, since it irritates the lining of the nose and
sinuses. Divers often experience congestion with resulting infection
when water is forced into the sinuses from the nasal passages.

Air travel, too, poses a problem for the individual suffering from acute or chronic
sinusitis. A bubble of air trapped within the body expands as air pressure in a plane is

reduced. This expansion causes pressure on surrounding tissues and can result in a
blockage of the sinuses or the eustachian tubes in the ears. The result may be discomfort

in the sinus or middle ear during the plane's ascent or descent. Doctors recommend using
decongestant nose drops or inhalers before the flight to avoid this difficulty.