What is a Sinus Infection?
An adult has four distinct sinuses. The frontal sinus just above the eyebrows, the maxillary sinuses behind each cheek, the ethmoid sinuses on each side of the bridge of the nose and the sphenoid sinus behind the ethmoid sinus. There is much controversy on whether children can obtain sinus infections and questions arise that do they or do they not have developed sinuses. Let us put this myth to bed. Sinusitis is one of the most common mis-diagnosed ailments in children. Infants at birth have ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. The maxillary sinus slowly develops and is present in some size before two-years-old followed by the frontal sinus. About eighty percent of adolescence develop their frontal sinus by age eighteen. Some individuals reach adulthood without having frontal sinuses. The sinus is a mucous lined cavity, which we still do not know their exact physiologic purpose. The lining of the sinus cavity becomes inflamed and gives the bacteria a nice warm, moist environment to grow bacteria.
What are the symptoms of a Sinus Infection?
Symptoms of a sinus infection usually present as a constellation. Pressure on both sides or one side of the face, tooth pain, nasal congestion, sneezing, post-nasal drainage, sore throat, headache, and possibly fever. Sinus infections are frequently mis-diagnosed in children and also are diagnosed as allergies, colds, and upper respiratory infections. Many dentists are the first to find this diagnosis as the patient often present with upper tooth pain.
What are causes of a Sinus Infection?
Causes vary. Many are due to contact with another individual who has a bacterial infection. Individuals who smoke have a high rate of sinus infections due to the irritation to the mucoid lining. Patients who suffer from allergies are also at high risk. Allergy patients will start with inflammation to the lining of the sinuses that gives way to a bacteria to settle and worsen. Individuals who suffer from sinus polyps or other sinus pathology are also at risk. If a patient has had two or three sinus infections within a years time I frequently refer them to an (ENT) Ears, Nose and Throat specialist.
How can one avoid a Sinus Infection?
Allergy testing is important to find out if one suffers from allergies. What type of allergies and then one can focus on how to prevent them. Nasal rinses. There are many sinus rinses over-the counter to help flush out the sinuses. If one is a smoker, one should frequently rinse your sinuses with normal saline to prevent inflammation and the build up of tar. One over-the-counter nasal rinse is by Neil Med and works very well. It is inexpensive and has proven to be beneficial. Important to note; you will NOT cure a sinus infection with a nasal rinse. This is preventative, not a cure.
What is the treatment of a Sinus Infection?
A full blown sinus infection is treated well with antibiotics. Recent research is strongly suggesting a two week course. Ten days does not seem to be sufficient since the sinuses are difficult to get the antibiotic to the area of need. Adjunct medication can be helpful. Steroid nasal inhalers to calm down inflammation, antihistamines, and wet warm wash cloths help. Hot steam showers, or breathing over a tea pot also help. Sometimes those old time remedies should not be over looked.
How to Diagnosis a Sinus Infection?
A well taken history of symptoms still is the best way to diagnosis a sinus infection. An x-ray of the sinuses misses about eighty percent of severe sinus infections. A (CT) Cat Scan is best, but why radiate someone over a minimal diagnosis of a sinus infection? That should be the last resort to rule out the serious diagnosis. Many patients wonder why they are not getting an antibiotic when they have only had symptoms for three to four days. ATTENTION PATIENTS: Colds, Upper Respiratory Infections, Allergies, and Rhinitis can present with the exact same symptoms and do not need an antibiotic. It is important to note that symptoms should continue for at least seven days minimum before I consider treating with an antibiotic.