sinus infection: do you know the signs?

sinus infections, otherwise known as sinusitis , occur when the lining of the nose and sinus cavities become inflamed, usually due to an infection. the sinuses consist of four pairs of air-filled cavities located behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes that are connected by narrow channels. the sinuses, according to the canadian society of otolaryngology , produce a thin mucus that drips through these channels and out the nose, ensuring the area stays clear of bacteria. if the small openings to the sinuses become blocked, however, fluid can back up and fill the sinuses, allowing bacteria to grow and infect the area.

there are different types of sinusitis, according to the cleveland clinic , including acute sinusitis (occurs suddenly, includes cold-like symptoms and facial pain lasting 10 days or longer), chronic sinusitis (nasal congestion, drainage, facial pressure/pain lasting at least 12 weeks), subacute sinusitis (symptoms lasting four to 12 weeks) and recurrent acute sinusitis (symptoms return four or more times a year, lasting for less than two weeks each time).

what are the symptoms of a sinus infection? 

how is a sinus infection diagnosed?

how are sinus infections treated?

because most cases of sinusitis are caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are generally not used as the first line of defence. doctors will typically prescribe decongestants, allergy medications and analgesics (such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen) to alleviate symptoms and decongest sinus openings. if this fails to address the issue, antibiotics may be prescribed. doctors tend to avoid using antibiotics as they are more expensive and overuse may lead to future infections that are resistant to treatment. narrow spectrum antibiotics are often preferred as bacterial sinusitis is generally caused by a small number of known bacteria. in the case of chronic sinusitis, which is often caused by allergies, steroid or antihistamine sprays may be prescribed.

most people recover from an infection within a week but choosing wisely canada recommends a few measures that may shorten this period, including getting plenty of rest, drinking warm fluids, boosting humidity, gargling or rinsing the nose with saltwater sprays or nasal kits.

how can i prevent a sinus infection?

there are several ways to lower the risk of a sinus infection, according to healthlink bc , including:

• steering clear of people with a cold or respiratory infection
• washing hands after encountering someone with a cold or infection
• promptly treating stuffiness caused by a cold or allergy before it has a chance to become an infection
• avoiding any form of smoke at home or work
• avoiding any sources of allergies
• avoiding dry air by using a humidifier

prevalence of sinus infections

sinusitis statistics are commonly combined with rhinosinusitis, a similar condition that involves infection of the nose and nasal cavities instead of the sinuses. the term rhinosinusitis is often used in place of sinusitis because most cases of sinusitis also involve inflammation of the nasal cavities. the two are extremely common conditions, with one study estimating that they affect around one out of every eight adults — or roughly 3.5 million canadians — every year.

support for sinus infections

there are many resources available if you are looking for more information on sinus infections, including healthlink bc , the canadian society of otolaryngology and canadian family physician .

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sinus infection: do you know the signs?

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