Untreated Sinus Infection

Sinuses are air-filled cavities which are located at the back of the upper face bones. There are sinus cavities behind the nose, forehead, cheeks and also between the eyes. The lining of the sinuses consists of cells which produce mucus. Some cells have hair on their surface known as cilia which prevents the accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities by pushing the mucus out from the sinus openings located in the nose. However, sometimes due to swelling or infection of the sinuses the mucus may thicken. When this happens, the sinus cavities get clogged with mucus, trapping the bacteria inside the sinus. This leads to an infection in the sinus lining which is termed as sinusitis. Sinusitis, in its initial stage, can be treated at home by following certain remedies like steam inhalation and drinking plenty of fluids. However, chronic sinusitis or complications arising from sinus infection which is left untreated, should be taken seriously.

Sinus Infection Symptoms and Complications

Sinus problems mostly occur as a result of a viral infection. Some of the common symptoms of sinus infection include nasal congestion, nasal discharge, headache, facial pain, fever, cough, bad breath and fatigue. The symptoms also depend upon the sinus which is infected. These symptoms become severe if the infection is not treated at the right time. Here are the most common symptoms, which a person may experience if the infection is left untreated.

Frontal Sinusitis
Frontal sinusitis can cause pain in the forehead which worsens when a person lies down. If left untreated, it may lead to osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is the infection of the facial and forehead bones. In such a condition, the person experiences fever, headache and an inflammation of the bone called Pott's puffy tumor.

Maxillary Sinusitis
This causes pain in the cheekbone, around the eyes, in the upper teeth and jaws. The pain can be felt either on one side or on both the sides. If left untreated, an infection in the maxillary sinuses can lead to the formation of blood clots, in rare cases. If a blood clot forms in the sinus area, the eye pupil may become dilated and fixed. The symptoms of maxillary sinusitis are fever, nasal congestion, cough, runny nose, toothache, headache and facial swelling and pain around the cheeks. These symptoms may worsen with time if the infection is not treated.

Ethmoid Sinusitis
Ethmoid sinusitis causes pain between the eyes and on the sides of the nose. Headache is felt around the temple or around the eyes. The pain symptoms worsen when a person lies down on his back or when he coughs. Nasal discharge, foul breath, eyelid swelling, sore throat and loss of smell are some of its other symptoms. If left untreated, these symptoms may aggravate or a complication like orbital infection may occur. This may lead to inflammation and dropping of the eyelid, causing vision problems.

Sphenoid Sinusitis
This causes pain in the forehead, on top of the head and behind the eyes. It may cause pain in the neck and ears, too. Nasal discharge is also experienced. If not diagnosed at the right time, a complication of frontal and sphenoid sinusitis may lead to brain infection. Brain infection is caused by anaerobic bacteria which spreads this infection to the brain through the blood vessels or through the bones. The symptoms include visual problems, mild personality changes, headaches, seizures and sometimes even death.

Besides these complications which occur due to an infection in a particular sinus, some other conditions that may arise due to an untreated sinus infection are as follows:

• Sinus infection, if left untreated, can cause an infection in the ear canal leading to immense pain in the ear. It may affect both the inner ear and the middle ear and may lead to auditory impairment in severe cases.
• Chronic sinus infection can weaken the immune system and produce various other symptoms like facial pain, pus in the nasal cavity, nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge and fever.
• If a sinus infection is left untreated and worsens with time, it can lead to anosmia (absence of the sense of smell).
• In rare cases, sinus infection can lead to meningitis (an infection of the brain). The symptoms include, headache, stiff neck, fever and nausea.
• Untreated chronic sinusitis may also aggravate and worsen the symptoms of asthma.
• Untreated sinusitis may also create severe resistance to antibiotics causing the infection to aggravate further.
• In extreme cases, surgery may be required to treat sinusitis if timely treatment is not received.

These are the different complications that may arise in case of sinusitis that is left untreated. During the initial stage, doctors generally prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. However, if a complication arises or if the sinus infection becomes chronic, it is recommended to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is meant for informative purposes only. The information provided here is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner.