Sinusitis

There are four air-filled facial sinuses in the human body. Of these are: frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary. When excess fluid and bacteria is built up into these sinuses, inflammation and swelling may occur. This is known as sinusitis.

Sinusitis may be caused by cilia that do not work properly in disposing of mucus, colds and allergies which block of the openings of the sinuses, deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spurs, or nasal polyps. There are three stages: acute, sub-acute, and chronic. Acute sinusitis is less than 4 weeks and is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Sub-acute is between 4 and 12 weeks long. And chronic is any symptoms lasting longer than three months.

Hay fever, cystic fibrosis, smoking, large adenoids, change in altitude, day care, tooth infection, and a weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy may put one at an increased risk for sinutsitis

Symptoms may include: bad breath, loss of smell, cough, fatigue, fever, headaches, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat and constant runny nose.

CT is the best way to visualize sinusitis. MRI may be used if the cause is a suspected tumor or fungal infection. Nasal endoscopy may also help determine the diagnosis.

Treatment of sinusitis may include but are not limited to:an increase in fluids, use of a humidifier, nasal saline sprays, inhale steam, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, allergy shot, or surgery (typically for chronic sinusitis).

Complications of sinusitis are abscesses, bone infections, meningitis, and skin infections around the eye.