Swelling or inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses is known as sinusitis. When the sinuses are healthy, they are filled with air. But when get filled with fluid and get blocked, the buildup of germs inside the sinuses can cause infection.
Sinuses are empty spaces in the skull that are linked to your nasal passages. When certain allergens produce swelling in the mucous membranes, it can block and cut off the sinuses. As a result of this, the pressure starts building inside them, and the air and mucus cannot release on its own.
These can lead to pain and pressure. If left untreated these can result in chronic symptoms and can cause long term damages to the sinus cavities. The most common condition that can cause sinus blockage is common cold and allergy agents .
Most of the people treat allergy passively and do not consider it as a critical condition. More people get accustomed to it, and they do not realize that their immune system plays a significant role in keeping the conditions at bay and the greater your age, the more these complications can get serious.
Some of the most common conditions that cause blockage inside the sinus are:
Over-the-counter decongestants and sprays also help to temporarily alleviate the symptoms of this disease. For easing nose and sinus pain, a warm compress can be recommended to the patients.
Yes, Sinusitis is the same as a Sinus infection, which can be described as infectious swelling or inflammation in the air-filled pockets in the bone of the face which is often caused by viral or bacterial Sinus. This infection can fill the muscles with fluid that can be very uncomfortable. The infection can be seen in different facial muscles like:
Prolong infection can cause inflammation and nasal congestion which can hinder a person's smelling abilities. The congested mucus can also lead to a bad smell in the nose and throat, bad breath and bitter or weird mouth feel due to the infectious discharge.
Sinusitis is more likely to affect people who have swelling inside their nasal cavity, like the one that happens because of a common cold. Formation of nasal polyps blocked drainage duct inside the nose, and immune system deficiency or the medicines those that are prescribed to suppress our immune system are some of the other reasons that aggravate this disease.
For children, sinusitis can happen because of allergies, excessive use of pacifiers, drinking from the bottle while lying on the back or from smoke in the environment. For the diagnosis of this illness, the doctor may look at your symptoms and then perform a physical check. The doctor can feel and press the patient’s face to look for tenderness in the sinus area. The doctor can also tap your teeth with a clinical aid, to see if a sinus near your nose is creating the trouble.
Apart from this nasal endoscopy is also performed on the patient to see inside the patient’s nose and also to visualize the sinus drainage area. A nasal endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument that has a tiny light and a digital camera attached, which is passed inside the nasal cavity after application of local anesthesia to the patients.
For the treatment of sinusitis, your doctor can prescribe a decongestant along with saline nasal wash. Sometimes to cure the nasal infection, doctors prescribe antibiotics to the patients. As a home remedy, using a vaporizer can be really helpful at times, since warm and moist air help if you have chronic sinusitis.
If sinusitis is not treated at the correct time then a person starts having discomfort and pain until the nose is not cleared completely. It can also lead to meningitis, brain abscess, or bone infection.
Both viral and bacterial Sinus infection infects the nasal cavities and lining of your facial muscles.
In case of occurrence, viral Sinus is common and when escalated causes the more severe and prolonged version of Sinusitis which is the bacterial one. They both are caused by upper respiratory infection, which initiates its infection through the nasal cavity to various facial muscles and respiratory systems.
As stated, most of the treatments for sinus allergies are OTC . These can be had in a tablet form or a spray form. The nasal sprays are the first line of defence in the treatment. These can be very beneficial in reducing the swelling in the nasal cavities. They are also the doctor’s choice as they can be used almost by anyone and can be used for milder to medium cases.
OTC medicines are the other source that can be tried for nasal allergies. Most of these medications concentrate on the cold rather than the allergy itself. These are once again used if the symptoms are mild. You can try them for a few days, and if the problems persist, it would be best to consult your physician.
An oral decongestant is another method that can bring you relief. However, make a note that you should not use them for more than three days at a time. It would be safe to consult your doctor before taking a decongestant.
Antihistamines- these medications work directly against the allergy symptoms are widely prescribed by the doctors. They help a lot in removing the cold symptoms like itching and coughing. If all the other medications do not work and if you are getting the reactions frequently, then your doctor might suggest going for sinus surgery to remove the blockages.
Any individual who is having the nasal allergy and sinus symptoms can be entitled to the treatment. The medications and treatments are highly recommended the moment you notice the symptoms as delaying them can lead to other complications. Also more than the treatment you can consult with your doctor about the ways to avoid them in the first place.
If you are allergic to antibiotics, do let your doctor know, so that an alternate form of medicines can be suggested for you. Also if you are a pregnant woman or if you are past 65 years of age do consult with your doctor about the type of medicines you should take as not all the drugs may be suitable for you. Also, do not use the nasal decongestants for more than three days at a time as they can lead to further complications.
Apart from over the counter medication or the treatment, your doctor suggested to follow, here are some of the home remedies and therapies that can speed up your recovery:
Since antibiotics are used and since the very nature of the medical condition is because of an allergy, there can be some side effects. Do consult with your doctor about your body type and your health status and if you are undergoing any other treatment. Accordingly, the side effects can be avoided by using a different medicine altogether.
Post the treatment you would still be susceptible to the allergic reactions, and hence always you have to be careful about the allergens. You have to know what you are allergic to and the foods that are unsafe for you and stay away from them. If you are a frequent candidate for nasal congestions, you might have to shift to a place where the climate is warmer and dust free.
There is no standard recovery period, and it depends on how much you are affected by the allergic reactions. Sometimes if the condition is severe, you might be under medications for a longer period. It is always better to undergo these treatments at an earlier stage. In case you are undergoing sinus surgery, then the recovery period can take from a week to ten days.
In India, the treatments are mostly are of over the counter varieties and can include nasal decongestants, antibiotics, and medications. If you are undergoing the nasal surgery, then the cost depends on the type of clinic you are undergoing. Mostly they can start from INR 35,000 and can go up depending on the post-treatment procedures and medications.
There are numerous reasons why you could get sinus allergy, and unless you stay away from the harmful carcinogens, there are chances that you might get the infection again. A permanent solution is possible only when you realize your allergy factors and work towards eliminating them from your day to day lives.
These are the preventive measures that can be taken for sinus:
Defending upon the severity and the type Sinusitis can have different recovery periods:
Here are some of the products that may worsen your Sinusitis:
In the case of Sinusitis, fruits enriched in Zinc and vitamin C, E, and A can help you build your immunity.
vitamin A will help you maintain the mucous membranes, while vitamin C and E will fight the exciting infection and prevent your body from further damage. Zinc on the other hand will reduce the risk of infection by giving a boost to your immunity system. Here is a list of fruits that one can eat to fulfill the nutrition:
Curcumin or turmeric is known for its antibacterial properties which can be beneficial for Sinusitis infection, it also acts as anti-inflammatory property that will help you with the swelling and inflammation caused by the infection.
These are the home remedies for sinus:
As an alternative treatment, you can opt for herbal remedies and home remedies to be in your comfort zone. You can take steam inhalation regularly, and you can try deep breathing exercises. Also, ensure that you change your dietary patterns and stay away from foods that can cause you cold and allergic reactions.
Summary: Sinusitis can be described as infectious swelling or inflammation in the air-filled pockets in the bone of the face which is often caused by viral or bacterial Sinus. It is easy to treat with the help of some home remedies and basic medical help.