Ever so often people complain of having sinus or sinusitis, but do they really know what sinus or sinusitis is? Sinuses are the air chambers in the bone behind your cheeks, eyebrows and jaw. They produce mucus which is a fluid that cleans bacteria and other unwanted particles out of the air that we breathe. The tiny hairs sweep the mucus out of the sinuses so that it drains through the nose.
Sinusitis is a major health problem which affects millions of people each year. Sinusitis is the condition in which the lining of the sinuses become inflamed. Anything that causes swelling in the sinuses or anything that prevents the tiny hairs from removing mucus can cause sinusitis. This can occur due to changes in temperature, smoking, swimming or diving. Also, overusing nasal sprays can cause sinusitis, as well as the cold virus.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SINUSITIS
Sometimes a bad cold is mistaken for sinusitis as some of the symptoms are the same. The symptoms of sinusitis are:
- Pain and pressure in the face especially if leaning forward aggravates the pain
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Yellowish or greenish discharge from the nose
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Cough that produces mucus, which may be worse at night
- Fever
- Tooth pain
- Reduced sense of taste or smell
- Fatigue
In children, common environmental factors contribute to sinusitis. These include allergies, communicable illnesses that are transferred at day care facilities or school, pacifiers, bottle drinking while lying on the back and smoke in the environment. The symptoms of sinusitis in children include:
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge that lasts more than 7 to 10 days
- Complaints of headache
- Complaints of facial pain
- Children age 2 or older may also encounter frequent ear infections.
The different types of sinusitis are Acute sinusitis, Sub-acute sinusitis, Chronic sinusitis and Recurrent sinusitis. The differently types are briefly outlined below.
Acute Sinusitis
This is usually caused by a viral infection and is characterized by a sudden onset of cold-like symptoms such as runny nose and facial pain that does not go away after 7 – 10 days. This type typically lasts up to 4 weeks and the symptoms begin to clear up within a week. When caused by a bacterial infection, it is less likely to clear up on its own. Nasal discharge that contains pus and worsens after 5 days or if it persists for more than 10 days is usually a strong signal of acute sinusitis caused by bacterial infection.
Sub-acute Sinusitis
This refers to an inflammation which lasts 4 – 8 weeks.
Chronic Sinusitis
This is long term sinusitis which is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection which may be difficult to treat. Chronic sinusitis may lead to permanent changes in the mucus membranes that line the sinuses and may cause a person to become more prone to sinus infections.
Recurrent Sinusitis
This is simply having several attacks within a year.