[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Allergies T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Allergies.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” global_module=”2217″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Page Title” module_class=”tert-content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#008c99″ title_font_size=”39px” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A \u201csinus” is simply a hollow space. There are many sinuses in the body, including 4 pairs inside the skull. These are called the \u201cparanasal sinuses.” They lighten the skull and help give your voice its tone. Sinusitis is when your sinuses become inflamed and congested. It is usually caused by the common cold, but other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergies can also cause sinusitis. Sinusitis is also called rhinosinusitis.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The sinuses have the same kind of tissue that lines the inside of the nose. The same things that can cause swelling in the nose can also affect the sinuses, such as allergies or an infection. When the tissue inside the sinuses swells, mucus increases and disrupts normal drainage. Over time, air trapped inside swollen sinuses can create painful pressure inside the head. This is a sinus headache.<\/p>\n
A viral infection causes most cases of sinusitis. Bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergies<\/a>, asthma<\/a>, and other health conditions can also cause sinusitis. If your sinuses are blocked for a long time, typically 10 days or more, you may get a bacterial infection. This secondary infection is caused by bacteria that are normally present in the respiratory tract. These bacteria multiply and cause a sinus infection when they are unable to drain out of the blocked, inflamed sinuses.<\/p>\n Irritants like smoke, strong odors, and air pollution can also cause sinus swelling. If you are exposed to certain irritants often, they can contribute to episodes of sinusitis. Also, bodily defects such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, and narrowed sinus openings can contribute to sinus infections.<\/p>\n There are 2 types of sinusitis.<\/p>\n Acute sinusitis <\/strong>is a temporary swelling of the sinuses, typically lasting less than 4 weeks. The mucous membranes inside your nose, sinuses, and throat swell. This could happen when you have a common cold (viral infection) or allergies. The swelling blocks the sinus openings and prevents normal mucus from draining. This causes mucus and pressure to build up leading to facial pain and pressure, headaches, and possibly a decreased sense of smell.<\/p>\n Chronic sinusitis<\/strong> occurs when symptoms become more frequent or worse. Sinus infections may cause long-term sinus inflammation (swelling) and symptoms. If you have more than 3 sinus infections in a year or have symptoms longer than 12 weeks, you could have chronic sinusitis.<\/p>\n When a sinus infection results from blocked sinuses, symptoms may include:<\/p>\n These symptoms may be similar to some respiratory viral infections<\/a>. They may require different treatments.<\/p>\n The first step to treat sinusitis is to clear your nasal passages. This helps your sinuses drain properly. Draining your sinuses helps flush out a bacterial infection and irritants. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic to fight it.<\/p>\n Here are a few common treatment options for sinusitis:<\/p>\n Nasal saline (saltwater) rinse or inhaling steam: <\/strong>To clear your sinuses, you rinse your nose with warm saline solution (salt water) using a neti pot or a special rinse bottle. Follow the instructions carefully.<\/p>\n Use lukewarm distilled or boiled water that is stored in a clean container. You can buy nasal saline packets in most pharmacies. You can also follow a recipe to make your own nasal saline rinse<\/a> from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.<\/p>\n Or you can breathe hot steam through your nose for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. Do not use steam if it triggers your asthma or makes it hard to breathe.<\/p>\n Nasal corticosteroid sprays:<\/strong> These are topical nasal sprays that contain steroids that help decrease swelling and inflammation of the nasal and sinus tissue. Use your nasal spray as directed by your doctor to avoid side effects. Point it toward your ear when you spray it into your nose and away from your nasal septum (the cartilage and bone in your nose that separates your nasal cavities). This will help to prevent nosebleeds, irritation, and damage of the nasal septum.<\/p>\n Allergy treatment:<\/strong> If allergies are causing sinusitis, allergy treatment<\/a> may help. These treatments may include nasal saline rinses, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, nasal antihistamine sprays, leukotriene modifiers, and immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets). An allergist can test you for allergies and help you come up with an appropriate and effective treatment plan.<\/p>\n Leukotriene modifiers:<\/strong> This is a medicine taken in pill form. It prevents your body from making or activating leukotrienes, which can cause swelling and inflammation of your nose and sinuses. It may be helpful if you have allergies.<\/p>\n Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a black box warning<\/a>\u00a0about serious behavior and mood-related changes with montelukast (Singulair\u00ae and generics).<\/em><\/p>\n Antibiotics:<\/strong> Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to fight an infection caused by bacteria. Many doctors will prescribe antibiotics if your symptoms have not improved in about 10 days.<\/p>\n Antibiotics are not always needed to treat sinusitis. Talk with your doctor about whether or not you need antibiotic treatment. The overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance if you take them too often and\/or when you don\u2019t need them.<\/p>\n Decongestants:<\/strong> This medicine reduces stuffiness by shrinking swollen membranes (tissues) in the nose. Pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant. You can buy it over the counter in pill, liquid, and nasal spray form. It is also sometimes included with combination cold and allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine or mucolytics (medicine that thins mucus).<\/p>\n Talk with your doctor about using decongestants because of their potential side effects. For example, they can raise your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, you may want to avoid them.<\/p>\n If you use nasal decongestant sprays more than 3 days in a row, they may cause the swelling and stuffiness in your nose to get worse. This can happen even after you stop using the medicine. This is called a rebound reaction.<\/p>\n Mucolytics:<\/strong> Mucolytics are a type of medicine that thin mucus and make it less sticky. This can make it easier to clear it from your nose and lungs. You can buy them over the counter. Guaifenesin (Mucinex\u00ae) is a common mucolytic. It can also come combined with a decongestant and\/or antihistamine.<\/p>\n Oral corticosteroids:<\/strong> Your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids<\/a> for severe chronic sinusitis. These are powerful medicines that treat congestion and inflammation but can have major side effects. These medicines are usually only prescribed when other medicines don’t work.<\/p>\n Sinus surgery:<\/strong> If your chronic sinusitis symptoms will not go away with these medical treatments, your doctor may recommend you see a doctor called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist about sinus surgery. There are 2 common types of sinus surgery: functional endoscopic sinus surgery and less-invasive balloon sinuplasty. Both surgeries open up blocked sinuses, restore normal sinus drainage, and may greatly help reduce symptoms.<\/p>\n Experts don\u2019t know a lot about how to prevent sinusitis. But the following tips may help:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]What Are the Types of Sinusitis?<\/h3>\n
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?<\/h3>\n
\n
What Is the Treatment for Sinusitis?<\/h3>\n
How Can I Prevent Sinusitis?<\/h3>\n
\n