What is Acute Sinusitis?
A stuffed up nose and pressure on our cheekbones can often mean you have acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis, also called acute rhinosinusitis, is a short-term infection or inflammation of the membranes that line your sinuses. It prevents mucus from draining from your nose. According to the American Academy of Otarlaryngology (AAO), acute sinusitis is common, affecting more than 37 million Americans a year. (AAO)
What Causes Acute Sinusitis?
Illnesses and conditions that can cause acute sinusitis include
colds
bacterial upper respiratory tract infections
fungal sinus infections
allergies that cause mucus production in the sinuses
lack of cilia motility, caused by disease (cilia are the small hairs located in your sinuses that move to push mucus out of your sinuses)
nasal polyps or tumors
deviated nasal septum
enlarged or infected adenoids
infected tooth (in rare cases bacteria can spread from the infected tooth to the sinuses)
cystic fibrosis (a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the body)
Who Is at Risk for Acute Sinusitis?
The following factors can increase your risk of developing acute sinusitis
allergies or hay fever
nasal passage abnormalities, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyp
smoking or frequent breathing in of pollutants
diseases that affect the function of cilia, such as Kartagener syndrome (a lung disease that affects cilia motility)
large adenoids
spending a lot of time in a daycare, preschool, or other areas where contagious viruses are frequently present
activities that result in pressure changes, such as flying and scuba diving
a weakened immune system
cystic fibrosis
What are the Symptoms of Acute Sinusitis?
Symptoms of acute sinusitis include
nasal congestion
thick, yellow, or green mucus discharge from the nose
sore throat
a cough (usually worse at night)
drainage of mucus in the back of your throat
headache
pain, pressure, or tenderness behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, or forehead
earache
toothache
bad breath
reduced sense of smell
reduced sense of taste
fever
fatigue
How Is Acute Sinusitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing acute sinusitis usually involves a physical exam. Your doctor will gently tap your sinuses with his fingers to identify an infection. The exam may involve looking into your nose with a light to identify inflammation, polyps, tumors, or other abnormalities.
Your doctor may also perform the following tests to confirm diagnosis
Nasal Endoscopy
Your doctor may look into your nose using a nasal endoscope, a thin, flexible fiberoptic scope. The scope helps your doctor identify inflammation or other abnormalities in your sinuses.
Imaging Tests
Your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI to look for inflammation or sinus abnormalities.
How Is Acute Sinusitis Treated?
Most cases of acute sinusitis can be treated with home treatments, which include
a moist, warm washcloth held over your sinuses to loosen congestion
a humidifier to loosen congestion
saline nasal sprays, used several times a day to clear your nasal passages
drinking plenty of fluids in order to thin mucus
over-the-counter nasal corticosteroid sprays, such as Flonase or Nasonex, to reduce sinus inflammation
over-the-counter decongestants, such as Sudafed or Actifed, to dry up mucus
over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Advil, Tylenol, or Motrin, to relieve sinus pain
sleeping with your head elevated to encourage your sinuses to drain
Prescription Medications
Your doctor may prescribe prescription antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, or allergy shots for severe acute sinusitis infections.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of acute sinusitis. Your doctor may perform surgery to remove nasal polyps or tumors, correct a deviated nasal septum, or clean and drain your sinuses.
Alternative Treatment
The following native treatments may help relieve your acute sinusitis symptoms
Herbs
Nasturtium herb and horseradish are beneficial for relieving sinusitis symptoms, and produce minimal side effects. (Goos, et al., 2006) Ask your doctor about safety and dosages.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
While no hard scientific evidence exists to confirm their effectiveness in treating this condition, some people report that acupuncture and acupressure provide some relief for acute sinusitis caused by allergies.
What Happens in the Long Term?
Most cases of acute sinusitis clear up with home treatment. Sometimes acute sinusitis does not clear up and leads to sub-acute sinusitis (lasting four to 12 weeks), or chronic sinusitis (lasting three months or longer). In very rare cases, sinusitis can lead to an infection that spreads to your eyes, ears, or bones, or causes meningitis. Call your healthcare provider if you experience a severe headache that does not respond to medication, a fever, or vision changes that occur during your acute sinusitis infection; these may be signs the infection has spread outside your sinuses.
Can Acute Sinusitis Be Prevented?
You may be able to prevent getting acute sinusitis. Here’s how
Eat a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong.
Avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.
Minimize your contact with people who have colds.
Wash your hands often and before meals.
Use a humidifier in dry weather to keep your sinuses moist and healthy.
Get a flu vaccine yearly.
Treat allergies promptly.
Take decongestants when you have nasal congestion.
