Have you ever had a persistent cold or prolonged nasal allergies? If so, you may have actually had an episode of sinusitis. About 37 million people suffer from sinusitis every year, making it one of the most common health conditions in America today. That number is probably low, because most people do not seek medical attention for minor and short-lived episodes.
Normally, the nose and sinuses make about a quart of mucus every day. Special cells topped with a beating hair-like structure, called cilia transport the mucus from the sinuses, to the nose, and then to the back of the throat and the mucus is swallowed. During an infection, (most commonly a viral infection), the nose and sinuses make more mucus than usual and the transport mechanism is not as effective. Usually in a few days, the body’s immune function will control the infection, the volume of mucus decrease, and the cilia begin to function efficiently. The mucus is again transported efficiently through the nose, and the symptoms clear. Most episodes of sinusitis clear in a matter of days, but once the sinus is infected with bacteria, medical treatment is needed to clear the infection.
Home treatment of these symptoms consists of humidification of the environment, saline nasal sprays, and antihistamines and decongestants. Once the secretions and mucus accumulate in the sinuses and thicken, they are susceptible to infection with bacteria; and the result is acute bacterial sinusitis. Here in Colorado, the low humidity thickens the nasal mucus and make it harder to move out of the nose and sinuses. This makes it more difficult for the infection to resolve.
Acute bacterial sinusitis is an infection of the sinus cavities with bacteria. Facial pain, headache, pain in the upper teeth, low grade fever, discolored nasal drainage, bad breath, and persistent cough are all symptoms of bacterial sinusitis. If these symptoms persists for more the 7-10 days, you should seek medical attention.
The diagnosis of sinusitis depends of a thorough history, an examination of the noses and upper respiratory tract, at times cultures of the nose, and imaging studies.