Cold Sufferers Take Note: It May Be Sinusitis
You thought it was just a cold. But when your face still hurts, your nose is still stuffy, and you still have that nasty cough a week later, you could have something more serious - sinusitis. More than 31 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses, which are hollow cavities within the cheekbones around the eyes and behind the nose. Their primary function is to warm, moisten and filter air in the nasal cavity.
The signs and symptoms of sinusitis vary, and many people who believe they have the common cold may actually have the disease and are self-medicating improperly. If sinusitis is left untreated or undiagnosed, it can cause further complications with the nose, eyes or middle ear, lasting for months or even years.
Different types of sinusitis
There are two types of sinusitis, acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. In both forms, nasal congestion produces swelling in the sinus cavity, obstructing drainage and causing mucus to stagnate, providing a breeding ground for infection. Acute sinusitis, in most cases, is caused by a bacterial infection and usually develops as a complication 5 to 10 days after the first symptoms of a viral respiratory infection, such as the common cold. People with allergies are more likely to develop acute sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis is a recurring condition, which also may be caused by bacterial infection. More often, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder similar to bronchial asthma.
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
• Profuse, thick yellow-green discharge from the nose
• Headaches/head congestion
• Cough
• Plugged up nose
• Feeling of facial swelling
• Toothache
• Constant tiredness
• Occasional fever
Headaches caused by sinusitis affect 4 out of 10 adults in the United States. The sinus headache, as well as the other symptoms, can affect every aspect of sinusitis sufferer's lives, including sleep, leisure activities, family relationships and job attendance. Sinusitis sufferers miss an average of 4 days of work each year and there are more than 18 million office visits to primary care physicians.
Treatment
People with sinusitis symptoms should consult with an allergist/immunologist when their symptoms interfere with their lives, causing them to miss significant amounts of school or work, or when they do not respond to usual antibiotic treatment and the condition becomes chronic, recurring 2 to 3 times a year.
An allergist/immunologist is a physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases including sinusitis. The allergist/immunologist will take a thorough history and conduct tests to make a correct diagnosis.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
