Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled chambers between the skull and the nose. Bacteria are the most common cause of sinusitis, but there can be other causes as well. Symptoms of sinusitis include thick nasal discharge, facial pain or pressure, and reduced sense of smell. Depending on how long these symptoms last, sinusitis is classified as acute, subacute, chronic, or recurrent.

Non-Drug Treatment of Sinusitis

Home remedies such as saline (salt) washes or sprays are helpful for removing mucous and relieving congestion. Steam inhalation is also beneficial. Patients with sinusitis should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Water, which helps lubricate the mucous membranes, is the best fluid to drink.

Drug Treatment of Sinusitis

Medication depends on the type of sinusitis and its cause. Non-prescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help mild-to-moderate pain symptoms. Decongestants may help relieve congestion, but they do not cure sinusitis. Antihistamine can dry the mucous and sometimes worsen the condition. Because many cases of acute sinusitis resolve on their own, doctors generally wait at least 7 days before prescribing an antibiotic.

Antibiotics and nasal corticosteroids are the main treatments for chronic sinusitis, but this condition is difficult to treat and does not always respond to these drugs. Other drugs may also be prescribed. If drugs are ineffective, some patients with chronic sinusitis may require surgery.

The skull contains a number of air-filled spaces called sinuses. They perform the following functions:

• Reduce the weight of the skull
• Provide insulation for the skull
• Provide resonance for the voice

Four pairs of sinuses, known as the paranasal air sinuses, connect to the nasal passages (the two airways running through the nose) and are those that are involved in sinusitis. These sinuses are the following:

• Frontal sinuses (behind the forehead)
• Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheekbones)
• Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes)
• Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)

Sinusitis

Healthy sinuses are sterile and contain no bacteria. (The nasal passage, on the other hand, normally contains many bacteria that enter through the nostrils.)

The Disease Process. Sinusitis is an infection that occurs if one or more of the defense processes or factors are amiss, causing obstruction, and bacterial growth occurs in the paranasal sinuses. Among the many causes of such obstruction or congestion are the common cold, allergies, certain medical conditions, abnormalities in the nasal passage, and change in atmosphere. In any of these cases, sinusitis can develop as follows:

• Mucus drainage and airflow are blocked.
• Secretions build up, encouraging the growth of certain bacteria.
• The resulting infection, swelling, and inflammation create further blockage, which may cause the sinuses to close up completely.

Forms of Sinusitis. Sinusitis is classified as acute, subacute, or chronic, or recurrent. The classification is based on how long symptoms last:

• Acute: Less than 4 weeks
• Subacute: 4 - 12 weeks
• Chronic: 12 weeks or longer
• Recurrent: 3 or more acute episodes in 1 year