Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Sinusitis is an acute or chronicle disorder caused by the swelling of the nasal passages and inflammation of the sinuses. The swollen nasal passages create a blockage and the nasal discharges cannot be evicted; in time infection appears.
Sinuses are small cavities inside the facial bones or of those behind the face: cheek bones, over and behind the eyes, behind the nose bridge. These cavities normally contain air but their function is the production of mucus in the purpose to drain bacteria and foreign objects on the outside. These sinuses open in the nasal passages and those in the nose where the air and mucus exchange take place. When the membrane connecting the sinuses and the nasal passages gets inflamed, the mucus cannot be evacuated and infection appears.
Three types of sinusitis are known to doctors: 1. Acute sinusitis lasting about 3 weeks, assembling a cold, but with far more symptoms 2. Chronic sinusitis 3-8 weeks but may persist even longer 3. Recurrent sinusitis appearing as several episodes of acute sinusitis per year
Main causes of sinusitis are swelling of the sinuses occurring especially in people suffering from asthma or allergies, in form of chronic sinusitis or infection, and after a bad cold. Smoking and swimming can also produce sinuses inflammation. Using to much or to often the nasal decongestants can induce a reverse effect with swollen sinuses.
A sinus inflammation or infection is shown mainly by the next symptoms: 1. Pain and discomfort inside the sinus bones like cheek bones, forehead and between eyes. 2. Headaches mostly in the morning 3. Nasal congestion or runny nose 4. Fever 5. Sore throat 6. Aches in the upper jaw 7. Weakness and physical low strength
Treating sinusitis must be taken step by step. In acute stages patients can use nasal decongestants, antibiotics for the infection, pain-, aches- and fever remedies such as acetaminophen or even saline nasal wash from time to time.
Never use decongestants without consulting your physician as their long-time use can cause more congestion.
Chronic sinusitis is mostly treated with antibiotics and nasal decongestant sprays.
For rebel sinusitis cases the functional endoscopic sinus surgery is required, in areas like under the upper lip, behind the eyebrows and inside the nose. Surgery isnt 100% successful is will be used only in non-responding to ant kind of treatment sinusitis.
Preventing sinusitis can be made by avoiding all kind of pollution, irritants, allergies and colds. In case of colds and allergies that cannot be prevented, use short-term nasal decongestants during the attacks. Blow your nose carefully so you dont damage the sinuses; drink many fluids to hydrate the sinus membranes, keep the nasal passages clear from mucus and help drainage by saline solutions.
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