Acute Sinusitis

Sinuses are small, air-filled spaces, which can be found within the bones of the skull and the face. There are several paranasal sinuses, which are broadly classified into four sub-groups according to the bones within which they can be found. These sub groups are known as, maxillary sinuses, frontal sinuses, ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses. Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of these paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis or sinus infections can be acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis develops quickly and lasts for a short duration, usually for a week or two, but less than four weeks. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis can persist for more than 8 weeks.

Acute Sinusitis Causes
More commonly, its cause in children and adults is cold or viral infection. Occasionally, the causative agent can be bacteria. Bacteria can causes upper respiratory infection, which can eventually affect the sinuses. Rarely, sinusitis can be caused by fungal infection. It has been observed that certain factors can put an individual at an increased risk for developing sinusitis. Such factors include, structural abnormalities of the sinuses such as, deviated septum, nasal bone spur, small sinus ostia and nasal polyps. Apart from structural abnormalities, allergies, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, asthma, tooth infection, cystic fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, tumors in the nose, a weakened immune system and cigarette smoking are some other predisposing factors of sinus infection in children and adults.

Acute Sinusitis Symptoms
Sinusitis, both acute or chronic can produce a number of symptoms, out of which the most common symptoms are, nasal congestion and pain and tenderness over the infected sinus. Frontal sinusitis can produce pain across the forehead, while maxillary sinusitis causes pain and tenderness over the cheeks, that can radiate to the palate and the upper teeth. Infection of the ethmoid sinuses usually produces pain around the eyes, and on the bridge of the nose. On the other hand, sphenoid sinusitis causes pain across the forehead, at the back and top of the head, at the temples and behind the eye. Apart from pain and tenderness, one can experience all or a few of the following sinus infections signs and symptoms:

• Nasal congestion, which can cause difficulty in breathing through the nose
• Thick, yellow or greenish nasal discharge
• Runny nose
• Sinus headache
• Pressure and pain in the face
• Post nasal drip
• Sore throat
• Cough and sneezing
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Fever
• Ear pain
• Nausea
• Halitosis or bad breath

Acute Sinusitis Treatment
Physicians usually diagnose sinusitis by evaluating the symptoms, along with performing certain diagnostic tests like, nasal endoscopy, CT and MRI scan and nasal culture. Allergy test is carried out to find out whether allergy is responsible for producing the symptoms like, nasal congestion and postnasal drip. Saline nasal sprays and decongestant sprays are more commonly used for acute sinus infection treatment. If the symptoms do not improve, then corticosteroids are prescribed to treat the inflammation of the sinuses. Antibiotics are generally used for treating bacterial sinus infection. However, acute sinusitis caused by bacteria usually resolves within a few days without antibiotics. Antibiotics are considered only for severe sinus infection or recurrent infection.

Many times, sinusitis can be treated with some simple home remedies, especially if it is not severe.

• Drinking plenty of fluid is perhaps the most simple and convenient way to clear up the blocked sinuses. Fluid can help to thin mucus and thereby, promote its drainage.
• Steam inhalation is another effective home remedy for sinusitis and nasal congestion.
• You can use a warm and damp towel to apply heat on your face and the sinuses for pain relief. This would also help to clear nasal congestion.
• Try irrigating your nose with saline water, which would help to drain out the mucus and clear the nasal passages.
• Drink herbal tea, made with herbs like sage, ginger, fenugreek, fennel and anise.
• Garlic is renowned for its antibiotic properties. For curing sinusitis, take 2 to 3 cloves of garlic daily.
• Eating spicy foods that contain cayenne pepper can also promote drainage of mucus from the sinuses and nasal passage.
• Use humidifier in order to prevent the drying of the sinus and nasal passage. This would help to prevent the irritation of the sinuses, caused by dry air.

So, these are a few home remedies that can help you to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and clear nasal congestion. If the symptoms do not improve with these home remedies, talk to your physician regarding the use of appropriate medications. It usually does not cause any serious complication, though sometimes one can develop chronic sinusitis from it. Rarely, the infection can spread from the sinuses to the bones, around the eye, brain and the blood. Usually, children are more susceptible to such complications than their adult counterparts. To avoid such serious complications, be sure to seek medical attention, if the symptoms of sinusitis last for several days or worsen with time.