What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may or may not be as a result of infection, from bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic or autoimmune issues. It is one of the more common conditions that can afflict people throughout their lives. Other causes of Sinusitis are from irritants, such as chemicals or the use and/or abuse of over-the-counter nasal sprays and illegal substances that may be snorted through the nose.
Bacterial sinusitis tends to make someone feel sicker than viral sinusitis.
However, it can be difficult to get rid of otherwise and can easily return if it's not fully treated the first time.
A person with bacterial sinusitis usually will have more facial pain and swelling than someone with viral sinusitis, and might also develop a fever.
Some of the signs that someone may have bacterial sinusitis are: a stuffy or runny nose with a daytime cough that lasts for 10 to 14 days or longer without improvement, mucus discharge from the nose (this can occur with both viral and bacterial sinusitis but continuous thick discharge is more likely to be from bacterial sinusitis), persistent dull pain or swelling around the eyes, tenderness or pain in or around the cheekbones, a feeling of pressure in your head, a headache when you wake up in the morning or when bending over bad breath, even after brushing your teeth, pain in the upper teeth, a fever greater than 102° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius).
Although many of these symptoms are similar to those you can get from viral sinusitis or allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose and sinuses due to allergy), it's a good idea to see your doctor just in case. Viral sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are more common, but bacterial sinusitis often needs to be treated with antibiotics, and you can only get these with a doctor's prescription.
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 8 weeks. Symptoms include: nasal congestion; facial pain; headache; fever; general malaise; thick green or yellow discharge; vertigo or light headedness; blurred vision, feeling of facial 'fullness' or 'tightness' which worsens on bending over; aching teeth, and halitosis.
All forms of sinusitis may either result in, or be a part of, a generalized inflammation of the airway so other airway symptoms such as cough may be associated with it.
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and make symptoms go away. Sinusitis relief is very important. If chronic sinusitis is not cured after trying two or more different antibiotics, you may want to talk with your health professional about surgery or allergy testing.