You know the signs all too well- the congestion, sinus pain and unpleasant drainage. It's another sinus infection. Whether you're battling them non-stop or they seem to follow the seasonal cold, we have the lowdown on sinusitis and what you can do to finally beat it.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis, or commonly know as a sinus infection, occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen and inflamed. The sinuses are cavities located in the face, including areas:
- Cheekbone structure
- Behind the forehead and eyebrows
- On both sides of the bridge of the nose
- Behind the nose in front of the brain
Acute sinusitis lasts three to eight weeks. If your sinusitis lasts longer than eight weeks, it is referred to as chronic sinusitis and may be resistant to the use of antibiotics and the temporary pills or sprays.
What Are the Causes?
Your sinuses are lined with a thin layer of healthy mucus that serves to trap germs, dust and unwanted particles in the nose. Tiny hair-like structures, or cilia, in the nose sweep mucus towards the back of the throat, allowing unwanted particles to be digested in the stomach- a normal bodily function.
When you're suffering from sinusitis, the cilia become infected, preventing the normal flow of mucus and trapping it in the sinuses.
Sometimes, sinusitis can be caused by the issues within your facial structure, such as:
- Narrow sinus openings
- Defect or damage to the nasal septum
- Nasal Polyps
What Are the Common Symptoms?
The symptoms of a common cold, such as a runny or stuffy nose as fatigue, are often associated with sinusitis. The difference between a cold and sinusitis is the duration of symptoms. While a cold should only last 5-10 days, sinusitis lasts at least three weeks and include additional symptoms, such as:
- Postnasal drip
- Discolored nasal discharge
- Tenderness of the face
- Headaches
- Tooth pain
- Coughing
- Fever
- Bad Breath
How to Treat Sinusitis
With symptoms that linger, it can be hard to treat and get rid of a sinus infection for good.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment for combating sinus infections. Taken anywhere from 3 to 28 days, antibiotics help fight the bacteria. Because antibiotics don't typically alleviate symptoms, nasal decongestants, antihistamines, topical nasal corticosteroids and nasal saline can help to manage them.
Treating Sinusitis at ADVENT
If you're suffering from chronic sinusitis and stuck in the cycle of antibiotics and symptom management, you may be struggling with an underlying issue. At ADVENT, following a proper evaluation of The Breathing Triangle®, you may find that you're a great candidate for a simple, in-office solution such as Balloon Sinuplasty.
At ADVENT, we get to the bottom of reoccurring sinusitis, so you can ditch the cycle of ineffective treatments and finally find the relief you've been looking for.