Sinusitis

Sinusitis

Signs and Symptoms

 

Acute sinusitis:

1. Stuffy nose and trouble breathing, especially when a cold lasts longer than a week.

2. Green or yellow nasal discharge, sometimes tinged with blood. It may drip into the back of your throat, making you cough.

3. Pain or pressure in or around the eyes and forehead. The pain may travel to the back of your head and be worse in the morning or when you’re leaning forward.

4. A foul smell in your nose and/or bad breath.

Sometimes:

1. Fever.

2. Pain in the upper jaw.

Chronic sinusitis:

Nasal discharge and sinus congestion that persist or recur over a period of months.

What to Do Now

 

1. Drink plenty of liquids- at least eight to ten glasses a day.

2. Inhale steam for temporary relief from clogged sinuses. Take a hot shower or place warm, damp cloth over your nose.

3. Try oral decongestants or nasal decongestant sprays. They help you breathe more easily, but they should not be used for more than two days without consulting a doctor, because their “rebound effect” can make symptoms worse.

4. Flushing your nose with salt water can help wash away mucus and bacteria.

When to Call A Doctor

 

1. If facial swelling occurs or vision is blurry; you may have a dangerous infection.

2. If symptoms last more than seven days without improvement; it’s important to get medical attention.

3. If a bacterial sinus infection goes untreated, it can persist for years, causing chronic pain.

4. Continued postnasal drip of infected mucus can lead to bronchitis, chronic cough, or asthma.

How to Prevent It

 

1. Since sinusitis generally follows problems like allergies, colds, or the flu, it’s important to treat those conditions before sinusitis can develop.

2. If you have allergies, learn what triggers them so you can manage your condition.

3. Avoid smoky or polluted environments. If you smoke, quit.

4. Sleep with your head elevated to help your sinuses drain.

5. Don’t blow your nose too hard.

Posted in: Health Tips