More than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of acute
sinusitis each year. The prevalence of sinusitis has soared in the last decade
possibly due to increased pollution, urban sprawl, and increased resistance to
antibiotics.
Q. What is sinusitis?
A. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the membrane lining of any
sinus, especially one of the paranasal sinuses. Acute sinusitis is a short-term
condition that responds well to antibiotics and decongestants; chronic sinusitis
is characterized by at least four recurrences of acute sinusitis. Either
medication or surgery is a possible treatment.
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis?
A. For acute sinusitis, symptoms include facial pain/pressure,
nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, diminished sense of smell, and cough not due
to asthma (in children). Additionally, sufferers of this disorder could incur
fever, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain, and cough.
Acute sinusitis can last four weeks or more. This condition may be present when
the patient has two or more symptoms and/or the presence of thick, green or
yellow nasal discharge. Acute bacterial infection might be present when symptoms
worsen after five days, persist after ten days, or the severity of symptoms is
out of proportion to those normally associated with a viral infection.
Q. How is acute sinusitis treated?
A. Acute sinusitis is generally treated with ten to 14 days of
antibiotic care. With treatment, the symptoms disappear, and antibiotics are no
longer required for that episode. Oral and topical decongestants also may be
prescribed to alleviate the symptoms.
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
A. Victims of chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms
for 12 weeks or more: facial pain/pressure, facial congestion/fullness, nasal
obstruction/blockage, thick nasal discharge/discolored post-nasal drainage, pus
in the nasal cavity, and at times, fever. They may also have headache, bad
breath, and fatigue.
A. Warm moist air may alleviate sinus congestion. Experts
recommend a vaporizer or steam from a pan of boiled water (removed from the
heat). Humidifiers should be used only when a clean filter is in place to
preclude spraying bacteria or fungal spores into the air.
Warm
compresses are useful in relieving pain in the nose and sinuses. Saline nose
drops are also helpful in moisturizing nasal passages.
Q. How effective are non-prescription nose drops or sprays?
A. Use of nonprescription drops or sprays might help control
symptoms. However, extended use of non-prescription decongestant nasal sprays
could aggravate symptoms and should not be used beyond their label
recommendation. Saline nasal sprays or drops are safe for continuous use.
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