Signs and Symptoms of Sinus Infection

Sinus infection, commonly referred to as sinusitis, is an inflammation in the lining of the paranasal sinuses. Very often, it is associated with upper respiratory tract infection.

The term 'sinuses' refer to paranasal sinuses, which are air-filled cavities, lined by mucous membrane. They are located in and around the nose. There are four paranasal sinuses viz. maxillary, frontal, ethmoid and sphenoid. These sinuses are named after the facial bone type where they are located. The basic function of sinuses is to moisten the nasal cavity.

Sinus Infection: Signs and Symptoms

Sinusitis occur due to infection caused by bacteria, virus or fungi in the paranasal sinuses. It is also caused due to colds, air pollutants (allergens), extreme climatic conditions, weak immune system, stress, dehydration, excess smoking, injury of the nasal bones and dental infection.

Sinus infection is classified as infectious or non-infectious. The former is caused by infection of the sinuses, whereas allergies and environmental irritants cause non-infectious sinusitis. Sinus Infection is further classified into acute, sub-acute and chronic, depending upon the duration of the condition. Acute (sudden) sinusitis lasts for less than 4 weeks, sub-acute for about 4-6 weeks, and chronic (long-term) sinusitis, as the name suggests, usually lasts for more than 12 weeks. Whatever may be the type of sinusitis, symptoms are more or less the same.

Inflammation of the sinuses causes excess secretion of mucus, which blocks the nasal passages. Most common symptoms of sinus infection are stuffy nose, headache and pressure around the face. Other signs include thick yellow or greenish nasal discharge, cough, fever, bad breath, pain in the upper jaw, fatigue, sore throat, problem in breathing through the nose, loss of smell and very rarely, a burning sensation in the eyes. In severe cases, sinus infection may lead to osteomyelitis, brain infection and meningitis.

Sinus Infection: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of sinusitis is done based on the symptoms, physical examination and medical history of the patient. Since the symptoms of sinusitis are similar to that of a common cold, the physician may conduct certain diagnostic tests such as microbial culture, endoscopic evaluation of the nasopharynx and computed tomographic (CT) scan of the sinuses. Palpation and percussion of the face also help in diagnosing the affected paranasal sinus.

Sinus infection should be treated as early as possible, as there are chances that an acute sinusitis may lead to sub-acute or chronic conditions. The main objective of sinusitis treatment is to cure the infection (if any) and relieve the nasal congestion. For a patient of acute sinusitis, antibiotic therapy is recommended. One can also make use of decongestants (topical or oral) to clear the nasal passages.

In addition, the physician may recommend adjunctive treatments such as a proper diet plan, steam bath, antihistamines, mucolytic agents and corticosteroids. According to a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine, it was shown that a daily nasal irrigation using hypertonic saline is an effective way for treating chronic sinusitis. It was also reported that the administration of sinus medications to the patients reduced considerably after following daily nasal irrigation. A patient can put the saline solution in the nasal passages by using a squeeze bottle or a pump spray bottle.

Though allopathic medications are used for the treatment of sinus infection, there are several cases of recurrent sinus infection even after treatment. Hence, in order to get rid of sinus infection many people prefer home remedies such as steam inhalation using licorice, ginger and eucalyptus. It is always advisable to consult and seek advice from a qualified physician before following any of the home treatment methods for sinus infection.