What is a sinus infection?

Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. This interferes with normal mucus drainage, leading to breathing difficulties, pain and pressure. When the condition persists for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic.

What causes sinusitis?

Sinusitis is the number one reported chronic condition in the United States, affecting an estimated 37 million Americans. It’s most often caused by an infection brought on by a cold or allergies, but may also be the result of nasal polyps, a deviated septum, trauma to the face, hay fever, complications from immune system disorders or tumors.

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

Individuals suffering from sinusitis experience a variety of cold-like symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, postnasal drip, sore throat, facial pressure and swelling, loss of smell and taste, headache, fever, fatigue and bad breath.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

In addition to a physical examination and a review of your medical history, your doctor will inspect your nasal passages for polyps and other abnormalities and check for inflammation and a buildup of fluid. Additional tests utilizing nasal endoscopy, CT scans, MRIs and allergy tests can be used to help confirm the diagnosis.

How is sinusitis treated?

Treatments will vary depending upon the severity of your sinusitis and whether it’s an acute or chronic condition. Saline nasal sprays and corticosteroids are useful for rinsing your nasal passages and relieving inflammation. Decongestants are a good short-term solution, but extended use can actually worsen the condition. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for bacterial infections. Antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, saline washes and oral steroids all provide long-term relief. More permanent solutions such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) or surgery can bring relief to those suffering from chronic sinusitis.

Sinus Issues | Midwest ENT Centre

What Are Sinuses?

Sinuses are air-filled cavities with a mucus-producing lining that are connected to the nasal cavity. There are four main paired sinus cavities:

Maxillary Sinuses: The largest sinuses, they are located in the cheek region.
Ethmoid Sinuses: The ethmoids are the most commonly infected sinuses. They are actually a collection of many small sinuses located primarily between the eyes.
Frontal Sinuses: The most susceptible to pressure discomfort, the frontals are located in the lower forehead.
Sphenoid Sinuses: Infected less frequently, the sphenoids are located at the very back of the nasal cavity—almost in the center of the head.

In the normal state, mucus produced within the sinuses flows through tiny openings into the nose itself, helping the nose clean itself of pollens, dust, and bacteria inhaled throughout the day.

What Is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis simply means inflammation (“-itis”) of the sinuses. Sinusitis can arise from many causes, and may or may not be associated with a true infection. It typically presents with facial pressure, congestion, discolored secretions and decreased smell. The most common sinus infections are viral, and typically resolve on their own with time.

Sinusitis is most often diagnosed by primary or urgent care providers clinically, by a history of symptoms and a brief physical exam. As specialists in sinus disease, otolaryngologists can perform a variety of in-office procedures including nasal endoscopy, sinus cultures, and imaging to get to the most accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, sinusitis is often classified by the duration of symptoms—and treated accordingly.

Acute Sinusitis

The most common type of sinusitis, acute sinusitis, refers to sinus inflammation or infection lasting less than 4 weeks in duration. Some are viral in nature, but all acute sinusitis has the potential of clearing on its own within 7 days. Cases that are more severe, or last more than a week, may require medical treatment. Typically a short course of antibiotics is all that is needed.

Recurrent Acute Sinusitis

There are many patients who get acute sinusitis several times each year. At some point, the cycle of sickness and antibiotics can be a significant nuisance that affects the patient’s quality of life and productivity. For those suffering four or more infections annually, the focus shifts to accurate diagnosis as to why the infections keep recurring. Allergy testing, CT imaging and/or nasal endoscopy often reveal the keys to breaking the cycle of recurrent sinusitis.

Chronic Sinusitis

Those who get symptomatic sinusitis lasting more than 3 months in a row are diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is very common, affecting about 15% of the U.S. population and costing the American healthcare system over $4 billion annually. Chronic sinusitis usually requires intensive treatment over 2-4 weeks, often with oral or topical antibiotics, steroids and saline rinses. When treatment fails to break the cycle of chronic sinusitis, surgery may be necessary to get symptoms under control and reduce risk of future infections.

Complications of Sinusitis

Most bouts of sinusitis certainly makes patients miserable, but in rare cases untreated sinusitis can become quite dangerous—or even a medical emergency. Some complications of untreated sinusitis include:

Orbital (eye) cellulitis or abscess
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Septic shock

Avoiding complications and getting lasting relief starts with the proper workup and plan of care. The physicians of Midwest ENT Centre have the tools and expertise to get your sinus problems accurately diagnosed and effectively treated—in the easiest, least invasive way that brings you relief. For those patients who don’t respond to medical therapy, sinus surgery may be an option.

Call Midwest ENT Centre at (636) 441-3100 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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