| Sinusitis (acute and chronic) | |||||
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- What is sinusitis?
- Symptoms of sinusitis
- Causes of sinusitis
- Treatment of sinusitis
- Important sinusitis facts
Sinusitis is an infection and inflammation of the sinus passages, which can become swollen and blocked, making it difficult to breath through the nose. Sinusitis causes pain and other symptoms from the inflammation.
There are four main sinus cavities in the front part of the head (in the cheekbones and the forehead) which contain air, mucous and tiny little hairs, called cilia. The mucous in the sinus cavities, together with the cilia is used as a protective measure, to trap and sweep out bacteria that may try to come in and infect the body.
Sinuses need to be able to drain mucous properly to be effective and sinusitis prevents this from happening correctly.
Sinusitis occurs when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflammed, irritated and swollen and it prevents the cilia from working properly.
Allergies ares closely associated with the development of sinusitis, due to the inflammation of nasal mucous that allergy causes, which if not resolved can lead to sinusitis.
Sinusitis can be either:
- Acute - usually caused by a bacterial infection of the sinus passeages, but can also be caused by an allergy or irritation to a substance
- Chronic - when sinus infections occur regularly, last longer than an acute infection and cause longer-term symptoms
Acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis have many common symptoms:
- Bad breath - the build-up of infected or inflammed mucous can cause a build-up of bacteria in the area to make bread smell bad (especially happens in the morning, after sleeping at night when the head has been lying down for hours)
- Coloured discharge from the nose - yellow, greenish or brown coloured discharge from the nose, which is usually an indication that there is a bacterial infection of the sinuses
- Cough - the sinus inflammation can produce a dry cough
- Fatigue - the sinusitis can cause the body to feel weakened and lethargic
- Fever - usually low grade fever, but can be high if infection is really acute
- Nasal congestion - blocked nose and difficulty breathing through the nose
- Nausea - this usually happens from swallowing the inflammed (or infected) mucous
- Pain in the face - pain in the forehead, head, nose and cheeks to the side of the nose and tenderness when they are pressed
- Redness and swelling - especially around the nose, cheeks, eyes due to the internal inflammation of the sinuses
- Reduced senses of smell and taste - these senses can be dulled
- Runny nose - clear fluid that seems to drip out of the nose
- Teeth pain - most people feel pain in their teeth, especially upper teeth
Chronic sinusitis also has the following symptoms:
- Increased pain - the pain in the head, upper teeth and bones may be quite excruciating
- Post nasal drip - discharge from the back of the throat
In very rare cases, the sinus infection can spread to other parts of the head and even the brain, which can be serious if no treated promptly.
Children with swelling of the cheeks or eyelids should be immediately taken to a doctor for treatment.
Sinusitis is caused by any of the following:
- Allergy to a substance
- Cold and flu infection
- Irritation from environmental (or household) chemicals
Diagnosis and testing
Sinusitis is diagnosed by a doctor through the following methods:
- History of symptoms - your doctor will ask a series of questions about the symptoms
- Physical examination - to detect the severity of the condition and symptoms; the doctor will usually press on the areas which, if cause pain, are generally a good indication of sinusitis
- CAT scan - the CAT scan test can provide a good view of the sinus and nasal passage which can be diagnosed for the condition present and allow better treatment of symptoms
Conventional treatment
Treatment approach is recommended as follows:
- Immunotherapy - gradually increasing doses of the substance (or allergen) to which the person is allergic over time, this has the effect of making the immune system less sensitive to that allergen and reducing symptoms
- Lifestyle chages - certain strategeis can help prevent sinusitis in the first place, or improve symptoms in an existing condition
- Avoid allergens - known allergens that cause chronic sinusitis should be avoided as much as possible
- Avoid irritants - known irritants that cause chronic sinusitis should be avoided as much as possible
- Drink plenty of fluids - water, juice and herbal tea help to rehydrate the body and replace all the fluids being lost with the runny nose and dripping
- Humidifier - these moisten the air and help loosen and remove mucous from the infected sinus passages, reducing symptoms
- Keep immune system strong - eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which provide good levels of nutrients that may prevent sinusitis from developing in the first place
- Rinse sinuses with saline - either purchase a saline solution (to be used in the nasal and sinus passage) or make up one (mix lukewarm water with some salt to taste like tear drops, slightly salty) which should be used to rinse out the nasal passages; this helps reduce symptoms
- Medications - these can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over-the-counter from a pharmacy
- Antibiotics - are prescribed when a bacterial infection is suspected to clear up the infection
- Antihistamines - are prescribed to reduce the allergic reaction which caused the inflammation (for those whose sinusitis was caused by an allergy)
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays - these sprays help to reduce inflammed sinus passages and are used in people with chronic sinusitis
- Corticosteroid nasal tablets - taken orally also help to reduce inflammed sinus passages and are used in people with chronic sinusitis
- Decongestant nasal sprays - these sprays help to shrink the mucous inflammation and encourage sinus drainage, but should only be used short-term (around 1 week at the most)
- Decongestant tablets - these tablets are taken orally and have the same effect as the sprays but can usually be taken
- Pain killers - such as paracetemol or ibuprofen can help to relieve pain, headache and fever that is associated with sinusitis
- Surgery - this is recommended only for patients whose sinusitis is chronic and does not respond to the treatment options normally recommended (medication, lifestyle changes and immunotherapy); surgery removes the inflammed tissue, some nasal bone and any nasal polyps that are present
Alternative / complementary treatment
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
- Dietary changes - foods that trigger allergies should be avoided
to reduce symptoms
- Avoid foods causing mucous - certain foods such as dairy, processed foods (high sugar and high fat foods) tend to cause more mucous to form which can make symptoms worse
- Drink more fluids - water helps to hydrate the body and moisten the mucous membranes to keep the allergens out and prevent them from causing symptoms
- Eat more garlic and onions - as much as can be tolerated either fresh, cooked or as garlic supplements; both have anti-inflammatrory properties which help reduce symptoms
- Eat more salmon - this contains omega 3 fatty acids which may reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - these natural foods have a high content of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients such as antioxidants which may reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Eat more nuts - these foods contains essential fatty acids which may reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Eliminate food allergens - such as cow's milk products, food additive, colours and preservatives and any others
- Herbs - certain herbs may assist with reducing incidence of symptoms
- Echinacea - studies show this potent herb is an excellent anti-viral which has a positive effect on stimulating the immune system to work properly
- Fenugreek - traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection
- Garlic - studies show this potent herb / food which clears nasal congestion and prevents infection
- Horseradish - traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection
- Olive leaf - studies show this herb reduces inflammation and clears up congestion
- Omega 3 fatty acids - help reduce symptoms of inflammation
- Lifestyle changes- certain lifestyle factors can help clear up symptoms more quickly
- the strategies recommended in the conventional treatment are also recommended here
- Avoid alcohol - as it can cause the sinus lining to swell more, making symptoms worse
- Avoid allergens - if certain allergens are known to cause chronic sinusitis, care should be taken to avoid contact with them to prevent exacerbation of symptoms
- Relax - relaxation techniques that lower stress may help to reduce symptoms
- Rest - lying down, sleeping and taking it easy (not over-exerting the body) gives the body the best chance to heal more quickly
- Steam inhalation - the steam breaks up the mucous in the nasal passages, lessens nasal congestion assists with better sleep
- Stop smoking - as it puts a strain on the body and exacerbates symptoms; stay away from second-hand smoke too
- Minerals - some minerals assist with reducing symptoms
- Magnesium - has properties which induce relaxation in tissues and may reduce inflammation
- Selenium - this antioxidant mineral helps support the immune system to fight infection and help to heal the body more quickly
- Zinc - studies show that zinc helps with all upper respiratory conditions, stimulating the immune syste to heal more quickly
- Nutrients - studies show certain nutrients have a beneficial effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms
- Alpha-lipoic acid - is a potent antioxidant which can boost the immune system to help reduce sympoms
- Essential fatty acids - studies show these nutrients reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Quercetin - studies show this nutrient has a beneficial effect on reducing severity of symptoms
- Vitamins - many studies show certain vitamins have a beneficial effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms
- Betacarotene - this is the precursor to vitamin A, so has the same properties
- Bioflavonoids - together with vitamin C, these nutrients support the immune system to function correctly
- Vitamin A - required to keep the mucous membranes soft, moist and healthy to prevent allergens from entering the body and causing a problem in the first place
- Vitamin B complex - these vitamins support the immune system to function correctly and may reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Vitamin C - together with bioflavonoids, these nutrients support the immune system to function correctly
- Vitamin E - studies show this antioxidant vitamin helps to reduce symptoms of nasal congestion
- Sinusitis is a very common upper resipratory condition
- Chronic sinusitis is very closely associated with the development of nasal polyps (overgrowth of inflammed tissue in the sinus passages)
- Sinusitis is also associated with allergic rhinitis, as one can predispose the other to develop
- Untreated sinusitis can develop into more serious infections of the head and brain
- Always seek medical attention for babies and young children with any type of fever
- Sinusitis is also known as rhinosinusitis (rhino means "nose")
Last reviewed: 14 January 2007 || Last updated: 21 September 2007
Related Articles
references
- Guven M, Aladag I, Eyibilen A, Filiz NO, Ozyurt H, Yelken K. Experimentally induced acute sinusitis and efficacy of vitamin A. Acta Otolaryngol. 2007 Aug;127(8):855-60
- Jaber R. Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma. Prim Care. 2002 Jun;29(2):231-61
- Linday LA, Dolitsky JN, Shindledecker RD. Nutritional supplements as adjunctive therapy for children with chronic/recurrent sinusitis: pilot research. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2004 Jun;68(6):785-93
- Osiecki H. The Physicans Handbook of Clininical Nutrition, 6th Edition. Bioconcepts Publishing QLD, 2001
- Walls RS, Heddle RJ, Tang MLK, Basger BJ, Solley GO, Yeo GT. Optimising the Mmanagement of Allergic Rhinitis: an Australian Perspective. MJA 2005; 182 (1): 28-33
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Australasian Socety of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (USA)
- American Academy of Otolarynology
- National Library of Medicine (USA)
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
