What Happens When I Have Sinusitis?
With a sinus infection, your nasal passages or sinuses become inflamed and swollen.
There are two sinuses on your forehead, two are located at either side of the bridge of your nose called the ethmoid sinuses, and there are also two behind your cheekbones, the maxillary sinuses.
It is the maxillary sinuses that are most commonly affected by sinusitis.
Often, no treatment for sinusitis symptoms is required especially if the infection is only viral.
But painkillers may be needed and, occasionally if the infection is diagnosed to be bacterial, antibiotics are prescribed.
The most common symptoms of sinusitis may include: * Pain and tenderness of the infected sinus.
* Swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.
You may experience a throbbing pain which is worse when you move your head.
* Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty of breathing through your nose.
If your nose becomes blocked with mucus, the pain and tenderness in the affected area may become worse.
* Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat.
* Aching in your upper jaw and teeth, where it becomes more severe when you eat.
* Reduced sense of smell and taste.
* Cough, which may be worse at night.
* A high temperature or a slight fever.
You may also experience a number of other symptoms, including: * Tiredness * Headache * Ear pain * Sore throat * Bad breath (halitosis) * Pressure in your ears * Fatigue or irritability * Nausea * A feeling of being generally sick Children with sinus infection may be irritable, breathe through their mouth, and have difficulty eating.
Because their sinuses are blocked, their speech may sound nasal (through the nose).
This is known as hyponasal speech.
If you notice these symptoms in your child, you should take them to see your doctor.
You may have several episodes of acute sinusitis, lasting less than four weeks, before developing chronic sinusitis.
You can go to a general physician, and may be referred to an allergist or an ear, nose and throat specialist as needed for further evaluation and treatment.
See a doctor: * If you've had sinusitis a number of times and the condition fails to respond to treatment * If you have sinusitis that lasts more than 7 days * If your symptoms don't get better after you see your doctor See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms that may be a sign of a serious infection: * Pain or swelling around your eyes * A swollen forehead * Severe headache * Confusion * Double vision or other vision changes * Stiff neck * Shortness of breath To look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will feel for tenderness in your nose or throat.
Your doctor may use a tool to hold your nose open and apply medication that constricts blood vessels in your nasal passages.
This makes it easier to see inside your nasal passages.
Your doctor will then shine a light into your nasal passages to look for inflammation or fluid.
This visual inspection will also help rule out physical conditions that trigger sinusitis, such as nasal polyps or other abnormalities.
There are two sinuses on your forehead, two are located at either side of the bridge of your nose called the ethmoid sinuses, and there are also two behind your cheekbones, the maxillary sinuses.
It is the maxillary sinuses that are most commonly affected by sinusitis.
Often, no treatment for sinusitis symptoms is required especially if the infection is only viral.
But painkillers may be needed and, occasionally if the infection is diagnosed to be bacterial, antibiotics are prescribed.
The most common symptoms of sinusitis may include: * Pain and tenderness of the infected sinus.
* Swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.
You may experience a throbbing pain which is worse when you move your head.
* Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty of breathing through your nose.
If your nose becomes blocked with mucus, the pain and tenderness in the affected area may become worse.
* Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat.
* Aching in your upper jaw and teeth, where it becomes more severe when you eat.
* Reduced sense of smell and taste.
* Cough, which may be worse at night.
* A high temperature or a slight fever.
You may also experience a number of other symptoms, including: * Tiredness * Headache * Ear pain * Sore throat * Bad breath (halitosis) * Pressure in your ears * Fatigue or irritability * Nausea * A feeling of being generally sick Children with sinus infection may be irritable, breathe through their mouth, and have difficulty eating.
Because their sinuses are blocked, their speech may sound nasal (through the nose).
This is known as hyponasal speech.
If you notice these symptoms in your child, you should take them to see your doctor.
You may have several episodes of acute sinusitis, lasting less than four weeks, before developing chronic sinusitis.
You can go to a general physician, and may be referred to an allergist or an ear, nose and throat specialist as needed for further evaluation and treatment.
See a doctor: * If you've had sinusitis a number of times and the condition fails to respond to treatment * If you have sinusitis that lasts more than 7 days * If your symptoms don't get better after you see your doctor See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms that may be a sign of a serious infection: * Pain or swelling around your eyes * A swollen forehead * Severe headache * Confusion * Double vision or other vision changes * Stiff neck * Shortness of breath To look for the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will feel for tenderness in your nose or throat.
Your doctor may use a tool to hold your nose open and apply medication that constricts blood vessels in your nasal passages.
This makes it easier to see inside your nasal passages.
Your doctor will then shine a light into your nasal passages to look for inflammation or fluid.
This visual inspection will also help rule out physical conditions that trigger sinusitis, such as nasal polyps or other abnormalities.
Source...