What Is a Sinus Infection & Who Gets It?

The medical terminology for a sinus infection is called sinusitis; basically this simply means that one or more of the four major paranasal cavities and/or the nasal passages have become inflamed which may cause pain or pressure in the forehead, above, below or between the eyes, cheek areas, sides of the nose, upper jaws (teeth), or side of the head. Double vision or other visual disturbances may occur if pressure from the sphenoid cavity extends into the brain, but is not common. Sinusitis is often accompanied by thick greenish-yellow nasal secretions, stuffy nose, sore throat, post nasal drip, bad breath, coughing, and sometimes with fever. It is a common affliction, not serious in nature typically, and generally responds well to proper treatment. Anyone can develop sinusitis.

What are the Types of Sinusitis?

1. Acute or Subacute Sinusitis: This form of sinus infection is called acute because it comes on suddenly and is typically triggered by a common cold or allergies. Another defining factor is that the duration of the infection only lasts for eight weeks or less, occurring no more than three times in a calendar year. (Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than four weeks, while the duration of subacute sinusitis may last from four to eight weeks.)
2. Chronic or Recurrent Sinusitis: The chronic or recurrent form of sinusitis is defined as occurring four or more times in a calendar year, with duration of infection lasting in excess of eight weeks.

Do I Need to See a Doctor?

As with any illness that lingers on for an extended period of time, worsens, recurs, or you are simply uncertain of what it is, it is good standard practice to see a physician to be sure there is no underlying cause of the onset of sinusitis. If you are uncertain and cannot get an appointment with your own primary care physician soon enough, a quick trip to your local urgent care center is an easy solution for diagnosis and treatment. If left undiagnosed and untreated complications from sinusitis can arise that may become a serious medical emergency, if you have any of the following symptoms you should call 911 or go to the ER of your local hospital immediately:

• Severe headache, personality changes, high fever, seizures, neck stiffness, body rash, visual disturbances, altered consciousness. This may indicate the infection has spread to the brain causing meningitis; a severe illness that can lead to coma and death.
• In children; headache, fever and swelling of the soft tissue over the frontal sinus cavity may be a sign of a bone infection indicating osteomyelitis, also known as Potts’s puffy tumor.
• Severe illness and fever present with; droopy eyelid, vision changes, a dilated pupil and loss of the ability to move the eye are indications of a serious nature. Possible blood clot or permanent blindness can result, seek emergency treatment at once.

How is Sinusitis Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may enlist some or all of the following procedures to make a diagnosis:

• Document, discuss and review your symptoms.
• Perform a physical examination wherein the doctor places pressure on the area of your four paranasal cavities. Tapping on your teeth.
• Send out a culture of your mucous for laboratory testing.
• Take blood samples for laboratory testing.
• Perform allergy tests.
• Take X-rays.
• Perform a nasal endoscopy
• Order a CT scan of the paranasal cavities.

What is the Treatment for Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a very common infection affecting about 37 million people a year, typically in a simple case of a sinus infection your healthcare provider will likely recommend a variety of over the counter medications and home remedies such as; non prescription nasal decongestants, nasal drops or sprays, antibiotics or oral steroids if prescribed by your doctor, utilizing a vaporizer or breathing in steam inhalations, and applying warm compresses to the painful paranasal cavity sites. Also drink plenty of water and hydrating fluids, hot teas can be hydrating and soothing as well. Remember it is always important to follow your doctors instructions on the use of any or all of these over the counter medications, as exceeding the recommended amount can result in actually worsening your condition. Follow the recommended use instructions and your doctor’s orders carefully.

Bacterial & Viral Sinusitis

If a bacterial infection has been determined the cause of your sinusitis, antibiotics will be prescribed to eliminate the bacterium. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, so do not insist on a prescription for antibiotics for a viral infection, you would simply be wasting your valuable money. Although sinusitis is a common and typically non life threatening ailment this does not mean you can simply let it go untreated, unless of course you enjoy the pain and discomfort sinusitis can bring or other possible side effects. It should also be noted that in rare circumstances untreated sinusitis can lead to much more serious illness such as infections of the bone, brain abscesses, eye socket infection that could lead to meningitis, coma, permanent blindness and death. Always seek professional medical guidance from your personal physician or urgent care center if you are in doubt or your symptoms get worse.