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According to a study published in the journal Canadian Family Physician in May 2011, the frequency of acute sinusitis ranges from 15 to 40 episodes per 1000 patients per year, depending on the setting. It also shows that children don’t have fully developed sinuses which makes acute sinusitis much more common in adults than in children. Acute sinusitis is the second most common infectious disease seen by GPs. In most cases, the same viruses cause both the common cold and acute sinusitis. Up to one-third of adult patients visiting ears, nose, and throat clinics might have acute bacterial sinusitis but is much less seen in primary care which is approximately less than 2%.
Acute sinusitis is a short-term infection of the sinuses; air-filled cavities in the skull. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections are the causes for acute sinusitis. A sequence of inflammation followed by a blockage in the normal sinus drainage pathways leads to mucus retention, and bacterial growth.
Colds and flu, and an infected tooth or a fungal infection could cause acute sinusitis. The probability of getting acute sinusitis is increased by allergic rhinitis, a medical condition such as cystic fibrosis, a weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy, abnormality of the nasal passage, changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving), and large adenoids.
Various signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis are observed, such as drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose, nasal obstruction or congestion, pain behind the eyes, toothache, a cough, and ear pressure.
Diagnostic tools used to diagnose acute sinusitis include nasal endoscopy, imaging studies, and nasal and sinus cultures. Treatment of acute sinusitis can be achieved through self-care (drinking plenty of fluids, inhaling steam 2 to 4 times per day, using a humidifier or saline squeeze bottle), antibiotics, immunotherapy to name a few.
If acute sinusitis went untreated, it may develop into either chronic sinusitis or other rare complications such as abscess, bone infection, and meningitis. If recurrent cases of acute sinusitis are observed, then causes should be checked.
Some of the prevention measures for acute sinusitis include avoiding colds and flu, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting an influenza vaccine each year, reducing stress, repeated washing of hands, and avoiding smoke and pollutants.
Acute sinusitis is known as an inflammation in the lining of the sinuses that results from an infection by a virus, bacteria, or fungus and has a usual duration of two or three weeks.
The conditions that cause acute sinusitis include:
1- Viruses cause colds and flu that may spread into the sinuses from the upper airways. The infection with bacteria occurs in a few cases.
2- Sinuses could become inflamed due to an infected tooth or fungal infection.
The probability of acute sinusitis is increased by the following factors:
1- Allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
2- Having a medical condition such as cystic fibrosis.
3- A weakened immune system by HIV or chemotherapy.
4- An abnormality in the nasal passage such as a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps that may block the opening of the sinuses.
5- Altitude variations (flying or scuba diving).
6- Large adenoids.
7- Smoking.
8- Diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly.
9- Asthma.
10- Inflammatory disorders such as Wegener's granulomatosis or sarcoidosis.
11- Pregnancy makes women more prone to nasal inflammation (rhinitis).
12- Rare tumors of the nose.
13- Previous injuries to the nose or cheeks.
14- Medical procedures such as ventilation or using a nasogastric tube that is inserted through the nose into the stomach.
15- Blockage in the sinus drainage channels caused by growths or nasal polyps, facial injury or surgery, and certain congenital abnormalities in children.
They are considered small, air-filled cavities located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes. The mucus produced by sinuses drains into the nose via small channels. The blockage of the sinuses channels or when a big amount of mucus builds up, this makes it a favorable environment for bacteria and other germs to grow and multiply more easily and infect the sinuses. This leads to the nose and sinus cavities being filled up with mucus and pus , causing acute sinusitis.
These include:
1- Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose.
2- Nasal obstruction or congestion, leads to difficulty in breathing.
3- Pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, or tenderness of the face.
4- Cough which usually becomes worse at night.
5- Ear pressure.
6-Headache.
7- Aching in both the upper jaw and teeth.
8- A reduced sense of smell and taste.
9- Bad breath (halitosis).
10- Fatigue.
11- Fever.
12- Nasal stuffiness and discharge.
13- Sore throat and postnasal drip.
14- Toothache.
Symptoms in children may include:
1-Irritability.
2- Ear discomfort.
3- Snoring.
4- Mouth breathing.
5- Feeding difficulty.
6- Nasal speech.
The doctor can diagnose acute sinusitis by knowing the symptoms, checking the patient’s temperature, checking the presence of tenderness over sinuses, and examining the lining of the nose for swelling.
Tools that might be used to diagnose acute sinusitis include:
Where a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with a fiber-optic light is inserted through the nose, allowing the doctor to visually scan the inside of the sinuses.
They reveal details of the sinuses and the nasal area that might help in identifying abnormalities or suspected complications using CT scan or MRI. In the case where uncomplicated acute sinusitis, these imaging studies are not recommended. .
The diagnosis of acute sinusitis does not usually require laboratory tests but where the case this illness does not respond to treatment, tissue cultures are essential in identifying the cause which can be a bacterial infection.
If the trigger for acute sinusitis is suspected as allergy, then an allergy skin test is recommended to help determine the allergen that is responsible for nasal flare-ups which is considered safe and quick.
Recurrent acute sinusitis can be diagnosed using other tests in addition to the ones mentioned above. These include:
1-Blood tests for HIV or other tests for diagnosing a poor immune function.
2-Ciliary function test.
3-Nasal cytology.
4-Sweat chloride tests for cystic fibrosis.
SELF-CARE
The usual treatment time for acute sinusitis lasts from 10 to 14 days. Acute sinusitis can be minimized using the following steps:
1- Applying a warm, moist washcloth to the face multiple times a day.
2-Drinking plenty of fluids to aid in making the mucus thin.
3-Inhaling steam from 2 to 4 times per day.
4-Using a humidifier.
5- Flushing, and protecting the nasal passages using a Neti pot or saline squeeze bottle.
6- Reducing sinus pain or pressure by many ways include:
-While being congested, flying should be avoided.
-Exposure to temperature extremes, sudden changes in temperature, and bending forward with the head down should be avoided as well.
-Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
7- Measures that may be recommended by the doctor to relieve symptoms include:
1- The use of a saline nasal spray multiple times per day to rinse nasal passages.
2-Nasal sprays that prevent and treat inflammation called nasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, and beclomethasone.
3-The use of decongestants but only for a few days so that no rebound congestion occurs which is a more severe case of congestion. These medications are available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription liquids, tablets and nasal sprays.
4-OTC pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Antibiotics
They are needed only in severe, progressive or persistent symptoms but in acute sinusitis or even in bacterial caused acute sinusitis the usual treatment is not needed. Complicated conditions include :
1-Children with a nasal discharge accompanied by a cough that does not recover after 2 to 3 weeks.
2-Fever higher than 102.2°F (39°C).
3-Headache or pain in the face.
4-Severe swelling around the eyes.
Immunotherapy
Reducing the body's reaction to specific allergens can be minimized using immunotherapy.
Alternative medicine
Using a combination of herbs can help treat acute sinusitis but may cause side effects such as an upset stomach, diarrhea and allergic skin reactions. These combination therapies include cowslip, gentian root, elderflower, verbena and sorrel.
Surgery
Enlargement of the sinuses opening and draining the sinuses are needed when symptoms of acute sinusitis still exist after 3 months of treatment, or when more than 2 or 3 episodes of acute sinusitis occur each year.
Surgery is required in most fungal sinus infections. Stopping the condition from recurring may be done via surgery to repair a deviated septum or nasal polyps.
Mainly, chronic sinusitis can develop from an acute sinusitis. Rare complications may include:
Ways to prevent acute sinusitis, include:
1- Colds and flu should be avoided or treated quickly.
2-Eating healthy food like consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables in order to boost the body’s immune system and fight an infection.
3- Vaccination for an influenza each year.
4-Reduce stress.
5- Repeated washing of hands.
6-Avoid smoke and pollutants.
7-Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture in your body.
8- Upper respiratory infections should be accompanied by taking decongestants.
9-Quick treatment of allergies.
10- Increasing moisture in the nose and sinuses using a humidifier.
Self -care measures and other medical treatment are able to manage and treat acute sinusitis but only in recurrent acute sinusitis causes should be checked.
According to a study published in the journal Canadian Family Physician in May 2011, the frequency of acute sinusitis ranges from 15 to 40 episodes per 1000 patients per year, depending on the setting. It also shows that children don’t have fully developed sinuses which makes acute sinusitis much more common in adults than in children. Acute sinusitis is the second most common infectious disease seen by GPs. In most cases, the same viruses cause both the common cold and acute sinusitis. Up to one-third of adult patients visiting ears, nose, and throat clinics might have acute bacterial sinusitis but is much less seen in primary care which is approximately less than 2%.
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