How Is a Sinus Infection Diagnosed? Diagnosis To diagnose a sinus infection, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and their timeframe and perform a physical exam. This may include pressing parts of your face to check for pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762957a51ca6-7673-463d-8aca-1d30c066bc9e This exam may include looking in your nose for signs of polyps and inflammation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762957a51ca6-7673-463d-8aca-1d30c066bc9e If you have chronic sinusitis, your doctor may do those tests and others, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cb4be6e1-dd6e-4806-b03c-c13f4cbae470 Allergy tests to determine what allergens may be triggering your chronic or recurrent infections A computed tomography scan to identify sinus abnormalities, such as polyps or a deviated septum Magnetic resonance imaging to see if you have a nasal tumor or fungal infection A biopsy, if your doctor suspects another health condition is the cause, or in the rare case the infection has spread Should You Call the Doctor? Most bouts of sinusitis do not require a doctor’s visit. However, you should call your doctor if you have a history of chronic sinusitis or if your symptoms:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629362d09f5-e7ae-4f4f-b65a-087804d62f28 Last more than 10 days Get worse after improving Are accompanied by a fever Because infections can be serious and can spread, call for immediate medical help if you experience:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629362d09f5-e7ae-4f4f-b65a-087804d62f28 A high fever Pain, redness, or swelling around your eyes Changes in vision, including double vision Confusion A stiff neck
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sinus Infection BasicsHarvard Health Publishing: What to Do About Sinusitis Johns Hopkins Medicine: Endoscopic Sinus SurgeryMayo Clinic: Unlocking the Mystery of Your Sinuses: Answers to 8 Common Questions
Signs and Symptoms of a Sinus Infection Symptoms The hallmark symptoms of an acute sinus infection include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762987b4d273-a977-4b1e-b875-e1afb4fa84a0 Congestion Facial pain and pressure Postnasal drip (when mucus drips down the back of the throat) Runny nose with thick nasal dischargee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629abed04c8-aa48-4699-a2aa-06240603b37f Bad breath (halitosis) Headache Cough Sore throat Reduced sense of smelle60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293da6a4d6-0655-4e88-b71e-67e35a77c19b Fevere60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fbf3a2ec-e31a-48db-b964-0988e2b6ce04 Fatiguee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629abed04c8-aa48-4699-a2aa-06240603b37f
Sinuses are air-filled cavities behind your eyebrows, behind your cheekbones, and between your eyes. They are lined with a mucous membrane that filters and humidifies the air you inhale. This lining can fill with fluid and become inflamed and swell up, causing sinusitis. This inflammation can lead to a sinus infection as a result of a virus, bacteria, or, less commonly, fungi.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629277ae049-1947-402b-b5c5-718295a2261fe60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629714c1e58-0290-4d4e-800a-feb0e741d8c7
Complications of a Sinus Infection Complications Most sinus infections resolve on their own and do not spread. When sinus inflammation does spread, however, it can cause:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c9dc89ab-20c2-404f-902e-0cdaba3acfea Cellulitis of the face or around the eyes Abscesses around the eyes Blindness Blood clots in the cavernous sinus Epidural or subdural empyema, or pus-filled infections Meningitis
The Takeaway A sinus infection occurs when the mucous membranes inside your sinus become inflamed and trap microbes, leading to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. A cold is the most common cause of a sinus infection, which may result from allergies, the flu, or other conditions, including a weakened immune system. You can treat most sinus infections at home with steam, nasal sprays, and over-the-counter medications. If you have symptoms for more than 10 days, call the doctor; sinus infections can be chronic and require additional treatment, including surgery.
Lifestyle Changes and Prevention of a Sinus Infection Lifestyle Although a sinus infection itself is not contagious, the common cold or flu that often leads to a sinus infection is. Taking steps to reduce your risk of contracting viral infections can help prevent sinus infections. These include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762965afa525-61ce-4c29-beac-9b1f4f95e2a4 Practicing good hygiene, such as by washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze Getting recommended vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine Keeping your distance from people who have upper respiratory infections Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke Using a humidifier Other ways to reduce your risk of getting a sinus infection include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762981d3077a-3335-4de1-a5b6-fd19f7cec7ed Sleeping with your head elevated Moistening the air at home with a humidifier and avoiding dry environments Inhaling steam or using a saline nasal spray regularly Drinking lots of water Treating allergies Irrigating your nasal passages regularly
Types of Sinus Infections Types Sinus infections can be acute (short term) or chronic (if they last longer than 12 weeks).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a9598290-ac06-482a-beba-f34429954c40 Acute Sinus Infections Sinus infections can result from:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629629e1589-2b4d-4b59-85be-6a59db9820b5 Viruses associated with the common cold. This is the most common cause of a sinus infection and may be contagious. Bacterial infection , which can come after a viral infection. This infection is not contagious but may be the cause of a longer-term sinus issue. Fungal infection , which has more severe symptoms. This is the rarest type of sinus infection and is most prevalent among people with a weakened immune system. Chronic Sinusitis Also called chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic sinusitis involves inflammation that lasts at least 12 weeks. This swelling may be the result of an acute sinus infection, allergies, or irritation. If you have chronic sinusitis, you may develop nasal polyps that are large enough to clog your sinuses.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a9598290-ac06-482a-beba-f34429954c40 It’s not always clear why some people develop these polyps and others don’t.
Causes and Risk Factors of a Sinus Infection Causes The most common cause of the blockage is inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages because of the common cold or allergies. It can also occur because of the flu or various bacteria.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762961d979ed-7892-426a-b03f-bc3c53e7c05b The terms “sinus infection” and “sinusitis” are often used interchangeably, but sinusitis simply refers to the inflammation of the sinuses, with or without an infection. Sinus infections ultimately develop because of the sinus and nasal blockages that are a result of sinus inflammation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762961d979ed-7892-426a-b03f-bc3c53e7c05b These blockages can trap microbes, which cause an infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297730f9f4-4a2d-4883-8c63-3747f6b9856c Several factors can increase your risk of developing sinus inflammation or a sinus infection, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762961d979ed-7892-426a-b03f-bc3c53e7c05be60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762907742f6e-c897-478f-a295-55760d993457 Allergies A cold Nasal polyps or other nasal growths Deviated nasal septum , a bending of the wall between the two nostrils Weakened immune system Smoking Certain medicationse60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292859fd3c-6e9a-4986-a222-92edae01ef95 Asthmae60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292859fd3c-6e9a-4986-a222-92edae01ef95 Allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis , and other conditions that may keep nasal passages inflamed can also increase your risk of developing chronic sinusitis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762980c00d79-4ef9-4903-a828-f85b1c661f72
Treatment and Medication Options for Sinus Infection Treatment As many as 70 percent of people with acute sinus infections recover without being prescribed medications. Treatment for acute sinus infections focuses on relieving symptoms, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294b1ce32c-a0bc-47c0-8c4b-6be478105cd9e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fe013838-2fe8-486a-b09a-157c23f7f830 Drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest Flushing out the sinuses with a saline nasal wash or spray Inhaling steam several times a day Using a humidifier Resting a warmed, moist washcloth or a warm compress over your nose and forehead Medication Options Various over-the-counter and prescription medications may help relieve sinus infection symptoms. These include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e0fe6459-60e0-4604-91b3-dc64534a2e45e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fe013838-2fe8-486a-b09a-157c23f7f830 Nonprescription pain medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Corticosteroid nasal spray Nasal decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Medications to thin secretions to help clear mucus Antibiotics may be a part of some sinus infection treatments, but only if you have a bacterial sinus infection. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines if allergies trigger your sinus problems. Otherwise, you may want to avoid them, as they may thicken mucus.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e0fe6459-60e0-4604-91b3-dc64534a2e45 Chronic Sinusitis Treatment Chronic sinusitis may require longer-term treatment for symptoms. In addition to treatment options for acute sinus infections, treatment for chronic sinus problems may include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294270f009-1fdb-4784-a3fd-2a454444ea84 Surgery to reopen sinuses if you have nasal polyps or a deviated septum Balloon sinuplasty, in which a balloon is inserted in your sinus cavities to open them Mucus-thinning medication such as guaifenesin (Mucinex)e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e0fe6459-60e0-4604-91b3-dc64534a2e45 The medication dupilumab (Dupixent), which may treat chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps or allergic fungal sinus infectionse60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296ecb4aaa-741d-4726-a4a9-5fcbd078c43ee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ff2c9d6c-3c40-4e03-bd0a-1f94d4cf8197 A combination of oral and intranasal corticosteroid irrigations Complementary and Integrative Therapies In some cases, complementary therapies may help ease symptoms of sinus infections. These may include: Supplements such as the enzyme bromelain, found in pineapplese60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292b300b13-cb87-43f2-8747-7551e5ce39a6 Quercetin, a natural antioxidant found in many foods, including onions, apples, green tea, and red winee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762931451cc6-55a4-4f27-8b84-153376a62378 Root of pelargonium sidoides, or South African geraniume60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291b1bf73b-a6d7-40d2-922b-d892b7569635 Some herbal medications, such as eucalyptol (cineole) and spike lavender oile60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ef7c27fb-bbb9-4fce-98bd-97da63a60a96 Mind-body practices such as yoga, which may support overall well-being but have little evidence supporting their treatment of sinus infections Talk to your doctor before starting any supplements, and ask about the efficacy of complementary therapies for your situation.
How Long Does a Sinus Infection Last? Prognosis An acute sinus infection usually lasts less than four weeks and may resolve without medical attention. It can recur, however. Chronic sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or more. This inflammation can continue for months or years.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299477ac89-3604-4bd6-a826-b91cd76fd7c4
Read the full article here
Leave a comment
