What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Sinusitis
The most prominent symptom is usually a blocked nose . One or more of the following may also occur:
- A runny nose. The discharge may be green/yellow.
- A reduced sense of smell.
- Pain over the affected sinus. However, pain is often not a main feature of chronic sinusitis . In many cases, it is more of a feeling of facial fullness or mild discomfort rather than pain.
The severity of your symptoms may wax and wane. They may be worst during an initial acute sinusitis. They may then ease off and not be as severe, leaving a background level of symptoms. You may then develop another episode of acute sinusitis making symptoms worse again. For a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, symptoms must have been present for longer than 12 weeks.
All other symptoms are shared with acute sinusitis – please see our Acute Sinusitis leaflet for details.
Sinus Pain And Pressure
Fluid trapped in the sinuses can fill the sinus cavities, causing intense pain and pressure. The sinuses may be sensitive to the touch. A person may have an urge to sneeze but be unable to do so.
The pain can be in the cheeks, around the eyes and nose, or in the forehead because these areas are where the sinuses are. Bending over may make the pain worse.
Sometimes, the pressure and pain are intense enough to interfere with sleep.
Sinusitis may also cause the tissue in the nose to swell.
Will My Sinusitis Clear Up Without Treatment
Sinusitis is the term for swelling of the sinuses, and it is usually caused by an infection. However, with varying degrees of severity and different causes, sinus infections are not all the same. The types of sinus infection are as follows.
- Viral Viral infections are the most common cause of sinusitis they usually ease up after about a week without the need for treatment.
- Bacterial Bacterial infections are often more persistent, potentially lasting three months. Commonly, medication is required for a persistent bacterial infection.
- Allergic Allergies lead to inflammation and a buildup of mucus, resulting in an infection. Without treating the allergy, you may suffer from recurring sinusitis.
- Fungal Fungal sinusitis is more rare, but often requires treatment with medication
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Related Conditions And Causes Of Sinus Infections
Colds, allergies, and sinus infections can cause similar symptoms, including stuffiness and headache. What’s more, both colds and allergies can cause sinus inflammation. So how can you tell the difference between these illnesses?
The truth is, even doctors can sometimes have difficulty differentiating among colds, allergies, and sinus infections. But the illnesses do present differently.
A hallmark sign that you have a sinus infection is that the illness is, as you’d expect, severely affecting your sinuses. Both colds and allergies can cause congestion and runny nose, but sinus infections typically cause an aching sensation and pressure in the face, including in the ears and teeth.
Additionally, postnasal drop, reduced sense of smell, and halitosis are typically associated with sinus infections.
The mucus associated with a sinus infection is usually green or yellow, though color alone isn’t enough to determine the cause of your nasal distress, as there are many reasons your nasal discharge may not be clear.
Both allergies and colds can cause sneezing, a symptom not typically seen in sinus infections. Allergies never cause fever, which is seen in both colds and sinus infections.
And if your symptoms last more than 10 days, you most likely don’t have a cold.
Shouldnt A Sinus Perforation Have Healed By Now
September 27, 2020 by AllSmiles
In June, my dentist extracted two teeth, and Im waiting to get dental implants. For one upper right tooth, my dentist said he could see into my sinuses. He prescribed antibiotics for me to take for a week. I didnt have any special instructions other than taking antibiotics. My other tooth healed fine, but the sinus perforations still isnt closed. My primary care doctor prescribed more antibiotics. I have a continual headache and a low-grade fever. How long does it take for a sinus perforation to heal? Its going to be months before I can get dental implants. I think I need a second opinion. Am I going to need an oral surgeon or an ENT doctor to close the perforation? Thanks. Clay
Clay,
It seems that your dentist doesnt how to handle a perforation that doesnt heal. Its wise to get a second opinion.
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Diagnosis Of Sinus Infection
To diagnose if you have a sinus infection, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and their timeframe, and give you a physical exam.
This exam may include looking in the nose for signs of polyps, conducting a transillumination test to identify inflammation, and tapping the sinus area to detect infections.
If you have a chronic sinus infection, your doctor may conduct additional tests, including:
- Rhinoscopy or nasal endoscopy to inspect your sinuses and see if your membranes are inflamed
- Mucus cultures to determine what is specifically causing your infection
- Allergy tests to determine what allergens may be triggering your chronic or recurrent infections
- CT scan to identify sinus abnormalities, such as polyps or a deviated septum
- MRI scan to see if you have a nasal tumor or fungal infection
If you have a serious fungal sinus infection, your doctor may order a bone biopsy to see if the infection has penetrated your bones.
Determining If Its A Viral Or Bacterial Infection
Though all sinus infections may feel the same theyre not all caused by the same thing. Sinusitis is either caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
If your infection is caused by a virus, itll typically clear up on its own within two to three weeks. To potentially speed up your recovery time, we suggest patients get plenty of water and rest. If your infection is bacterial, then you may benefit from antibiotics.
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Chronic Sinus Infection Treatment
Chronic sinus infections typically have a more mysterious cause than acute infections people with chronic sinus infections often require life-long treatment to keep symptoms at bay.
In addition to the options above, treatment for chronic sinus infections may include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and changing home or work conditions to reduce exposure to environmental toxins and allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, or cockroaches
- Oral steroids
- Leukotriene modifiers, which reduce inflammation through a different mechanism than steroids
- Surgery to reopen sinuses affected by issues like nasal polyps and deviated septum
Recent research suggests other treatment options may also exist for chronic sinus infections, including:
- Nasal probiotics of the beneficial bacteria lactobacilli
- The drug dupilumab, derived from a human antibody, which the Food and Drug Administration approved to treat chronic sinus infections with nasal polyps in 2019
- A regime combining oral and intranasal corticosteroid irrigations
What Are The Different Types Of Sinus Infections
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses, and theyll usually go away on their own. In fact, if the infection doesnt clear up after a week to 10 days, it can be an indication that its caused by bacteria. It may have started as a bacterial infection, or a viral infection may develop into a bacterial infection after your sinuses become filled with fluid and bacteria then forms.
If you have sinus infections that seem to clear up only to shortly return, you probably have a bacterial infection. Thick, dark, or greenish-yellow nasal discharge is another indication, but your doctor can perform tests to verify the type of infection if needed.
Sinus infections can also be classified as acute or chronic. Acute infections usually start suddenly with symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain and can last up to four weeks. Chronic sinusitis occurs when your infection persists for at least 12 weeks despite attempts to treat it.
In the short term, a sinus infection can cause a long list of symptoms, including the following:
- Congestion
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Can A Bug Lay Eggs In Your Ear
Yes. Earwigs crawl into our ears. There are documented cases of spiders, fruit fly babies, bed bugs, crickets, moths, and ticks being found in the ear of some very unlucky individuals. Some of these cases even include eggs being laid however, it is not known whether or not an earwig has ever laid eggs in anyones ear.
What Happens If Your Eardrum Bursts On A Plane
Your fellow travelers will appreciate one less sick person spreading germs around the planes cabin, and your illness can cause a blockage in the Eustachian tube, preventing the necessary equalization of pressure. A ruptured eardrum or severe infection can occur which can cause hearing loss or permanent ear damage.
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Are Your Feelings A Sinusitis Trigger
Of course, in addition to the mechanics of proper breathing, the intertwining of the physical with the mental components of sinusitis cannot be overlooked. “Think of the body in terms that everyone has a loose screw somewhere,” says Dr. Schulz, the medical intuitive. “Illness is in part genetic in part due to viruses, bacteria, or old injury and in part due to emotional health.” In other words, you may be predisposed toward sinus problems as a result of a deviated septum or a broken nose, but without unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and beliefs to drive the disease process, you might never experience infected sinuses.
So consider that to fully recover from any respiratory disease, you’ll need to address all facets of the cause. Otherwise, you could end up treating symptoms, which will bring some relief but never get you to the pinnacle of vitality where Dr. Ivker, a former sinusitis sufferer, says he is today, due to tackling his problem from all directions.
Prevention Of Sinus Infection
A sinus infection is not exactly contagious. But depending on what caused a person’s inflammation, other people may also develop the illness. For example, the common cold and flu are both contagious conditions that can lead to a sinus infection.
Taking steps to reduce your risk of contracting viral infections can help prevent sinus infections. These include:
- Practice good hygiene, such as by washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze
- Get the recommended vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine
- Keep your distance from people who have upper respiratory infections
- Take steps to reduce your stress, which affects your immune system
- Keep your immune system healthy, such as by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Other ways to reduce your risk of getting a sinus infection include:
- Dont smoke cigarettes and try to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke
- Minimize your exposure to allergens and pollutants, such as by keeping your home windows closed and using a HEPA air conditioner filter, driving with your external vents closed and air conditioner on, and avoiding activities that expose you to pollen like lawn mowing and leaf blowing
- Moisten the air at home with a humidifier and avoid dry environments
- Inhale steam or use a saline nasal spray regularly
- Drink lots of water
- Irrigate your nasal passages regularly
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What Causes A Doggie Sinus Infection
In people, a sinus infection can be the result of a common cold, allergies, smoke, and dental infections. The same causes can lead to a sinus infection in your furry pal, since sinus infections in people and pets are similar. If your pooch has developed a sinus infection, it may have been caused by one of the following issues:
- Viral. Viral infections are the most common cause of acute sinusitis in dogs. Canine distemper, canine adenovirus types 1 and 2, canine influenza, and canine parainfluenza are usually to blame. Supportive care is the only option for managing these viral conditions.
- Bacterial. Primary bacterial infections are rare in dogs, but they may result from Bordetella bronchiseptica infections. Typically, secondary bacterial infections develop with a viral infection, so antibiotics will help resolve the bacterial component, but not the viral aspect.
- Dental disease. Sinus infections can develop if a tooth root abscess extends into the maxillary recess. Extraction of the abscessed tooth is typically the best course of action followed by antimicrobial treatment. Prevent dental problems from occurring in your furry pal by brushing their teeth and seeing your vet for regular cleanings.
- Allergens or environmental irritants. Allergic sinusitis may occur seasonally, such as with pollen production, or year round, like with house dust and molds. Fortunately, there are many effective allergy medications available for dogs.
Dont Rush To Antibiotics
The sinuses are small, hollow spaces inside the head. They drain into the nose. The sinuses often cause problems after a cold. They can also cause problems if they get blocked up from hay fever and other allergies. The medical name for sinus problems is sinusitis.
Sinus problems can be very uncomfortable. You may feel stuffed up. You may have yellow, green, or gray mucus. And you may feel pain or pressure around your eyes, cheeks, forehead, or teeth.
Each year, millions of people use antibiotic drugs to treat sinus problems. However, they usually do not need antibiotics. Heres why:
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Accurate Sinus Diagnosis And Treatments Is Essential
The only way to stop recurring sinus infections once and for all is to have an evaluation by a specialist who has the specialized training and experience to accurately diagnose their cause. Once you have an accurate diagnosis, we can discuss the options. The goal is always to provide the patient with all the available options, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, and help you find the best treatment plan for you.
Breathe Your Way To Healthy Sinuses
“Stress triggers allergies and stress predisposes us to colds,” agrees John Douillard, who practices Ayurvedic and Chiropractic Sports Medicine in Boulder, Co. A former professional triathlete, Douillard is the author of “Body, Mind, and Sport” and “The Three-Season Diet” both of which aim to teach people to heal themselves through regular healthy practices. These days, Douillard spends much of his time helping people learn to breathe fully, because he believes that “breathing correctly can change people’s lives.”
Getting air into the lower lobes of the lungs is the key, Douillard explains, because “the lower lobes are calming and repair they have nerves in them that are the exact opposite of the upper lobes, which have stress receptors.”
Unfortunately, most of us breathe shallowly though our mouths. “The rib cage has a natural squeezing effect to help get air out,” notes Douillard. “Add emotions to that, and for most of us our rib cage has become a cage, squeezing on our heart and our lungs, forcing us to breathe like rabbits little, shallow, upper-chest breaths, 28,000 times a day.”
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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Sinusitis
Though many cases of acute sinusitis can improve with little to no treatment, you should call the doctor if you experience any painful symptoms. An antibiotic may be needed for a bacterial infection.
If you find that your sinuses do not feel better after 10 days, symptoms have gotten worse, or you have symptoms that initially improved and then worsen five to six days later , you should contact your healthcare provider. Symptoms that continue after about four weeks may mean you have subacute or chronic sinusitis. If you develop other types of symptoms, such as severe eye swelling, or you are just not sure what you should do next, call your provider.
If you have facial pain, and you have healthy teeth, you can try things like nasal rinses and warm, wet washcloths on your face to see if you find some relief. If so, and if your symptoms go away in about 10 days, you probably have had acute sinusitis and it has gotten better on its own. If not, and you continue to feel ill after three or four weeks, call your provider.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/04/2020.
References
Common Colds And Sinus Infections
A viral infection associated with the common cold is the most common cause of sinus infections .
This virus may jump to other people, causing a cold that may also develop into viral sinusitis.
In only 0.5 to 2 percent of cases do people develop bacterial sinusitis , which is typically a complication of viral sinusitis. Bacterial sinusitis is not contagious.
In rare cases, fungi can cause a sinus infection, particularly if a person has a fungal allergy. But fungal sinusitis generally does not affect people with healthy immune systems.
Editor’s Picks
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When Do You Really Need Antibiotics For That Sinus Infection
- By Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributor
It was February, and clinic was teeming with respiratory infections of all kinds: mostly the common cold, but also bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. The patients were coming in usually thinking that they needed antibiotics for their sinus infection, or another respiratory infection.The first patient on my schedule was a healthcare provider with sinus infection written down as her main issue.* Shed had about two weeks of nasal and sinus congestion which she blamed on a viral upper respiratory infection . Her two young kids had been sick with colds all winter, so she wasnt surprised to have these symptoms, along with endless postnasal drip and a cough.
Her congestion had improved a bit at one point, and she thought that she was finally getting better. But then, the day before her appointment, she awoke with throbbing pain between her eyes, completely blocked nasal passages, and, more concerning to her, green pus oozing from her left tear duct. She had body aches, chills, and extreme fatigue.