Important things you need to know about sinusitis
A much prevalent illness that affects people across the world is the sinus infection. It is a common condition categorized as acute or chronic, where serious infections need urgent sinus treatment.
Sinuses are four major air-filled hollow cavities that connect the space between the nostrils and nasal passage. When the tissues lining the sinuses swell up, doctors call it sinusitis or sinus infection. Sinuses that are healthy are filled with air, but you may start encountering discomforting symptoms if they get blocked or filled with fluid.
Types of sinusitis
An acute sinus infection usually occurs in the form of a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, but allergy-causing substances can also trigger it. The cells of the sinus lining are damaged by viral infection, leading to inflammation. The nose gets constricted as the lining thickens. The nasal passage is connected to the sinuses, and therefore, the obstruction in the nasal passages disturbs the process of removing bacteria, present in the nasal passage. The bacteria multiply and invade the sinus lining.
Apart from viruses, bacteria, allergens, and pollutants, fungi are also a prominent cause of chronic sinus infection, especially in people who have a weak immune system. Moreover, medications designed to modify or improve the immune system may also build the risk of developing a sinus infection.
Symptoms of sinusitis
The main symptoms of acute sinusitis include the following:
Having two or more of the above symptoms or having green or yellow nasal discharge might imply sinus infection.
The symptoms of chronic sinusitis include the following:
Along with these symptoms, you may also have headaches, bad breath, and tooth pain.
Diagnosis of sinusitis
Typically, to diagnose a sinus infection, the doctor critically studies the medical history of the patient, evaluates the symptoms, and performs some physical examinations, which may include CT scans and ultrasound. Only after proper diagnosis, the doctors go on to discuss the sinus treatment because several other conditions also have similar symptoms.
Sinus – Treatment options
Can sinus infection be prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent sinusitis. However, certain things can help you keep away from the infection are as follows:
What happens if sinusitis is left untreated?
The pain and discomfort persist until it starts to clear up. However, in rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, brain abscess, or an infection of the bone. Consult the doctor and talk about your concerns in detail. Self-medication might reduce the immediate misery, but only a proper doctor’s consultation, diagnosis, and sinus treatment can help to prevent the future attacks or to cure the condition completely.