Acute Sinusitis PDF

# Acute Sinusitis ## What is acute sinusitis? - A stuffed nose and pressure on our cheekbones, near the eyes, or over the forehead may mean that you have acute sinusitis. - Acute sinusitis, also called acute rhinosinusitis, is a short-term inflammation of the membranes that line your nose and surr...

# Acute Sinusitis ## What is acute sinusitis? - A stuffed nose and pressure on our cheekbones, near the eyes, or over the forehead may mean that you have acute sinusitis. - Acute sinusitis, also called acute rhinosinusitis, is a short-term inflammation of the membranes that line your nose and surrounding sinuses. - This impedes your ability to drain mucus from your nose and sinuses. ## Causes of acute sinusitis - Illnesses and conditions that can cause or lead to acute sinusitis include: - Viruses - Bacteria - Fungi - Intranasal allergies, such as hay fever - Nasal polyps or other tumors - Deviated nasal septum - Infected adenoids - Cystic fibrosis, an inherited genetic disease where thick, sticky mucus builds up in the body. ## Who's at risk for acute sinusitis? - The following factors can increase your risk of developing acute sinusitis: - Intranasal allergies - Nasal passage abnormalities, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyp - Tobacco smoking or frequent breathing in of other pollutants - Large or inflamed adenoids - Spending a lot of time in a day care, preschool, or other areas where infectious germs are frequently present - Activities that result in pressure changes, such as flying and scuba diving - A weakened immune system - Cystic fibrosis ## Symptoms of acute sinusitis - Symptoms of acute sinusitis include: - Nasal congestion - Thick yellow or green mucus discharge from the nose - Sore throat - A cough, usually worse at night - Drainage of mucus in the back of your throat - Headache - Pain, pressure, or tenderness behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, or forehead - Earache - Toothache - Bad breath - Reduced sense of smell - Reduced sense of taste - Fever - Fatigue ## Acute Sinusitis Diagnosed - Diagnosing acute sinusitis usually involves a physical exam. Your doctor will gently press over your sinuses with their fingers to identify an infection. - The exam may involve looking into your nose with a light to identify inflammation, polyps, tumors, or other abnormalities. - Your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI to look for inflammation or other nose of sinus abnormalities. - A CT scan uses rotating x-rays and computers to take detailed, cross-sectional images of your body. - An MRI takes 3-D images of your body using radio waves in a magnetic field. - Both these tests are noninvasive. ## Acute Sinusitis Treatment - Most cases of acute sinusitis can be treated at home: - A moist, warm washcloth: Hold it over your sinuses to ease pain symptoms. - A humidifier: This can help keep the air moist. - Saline nasal sprays: Use them several times a day to rinse and clear your nasal passages. - Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids in order to help thin mucus. - Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal corticosteroid spray: Sprays such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase) can reduce intranasal and sinus inflammation. - OTC oral decongestant therapy: These therapies, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), can dry up mucus. - OTC pain relievers: Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can help relieve sinus pain. - Sleep with your head elevated: This encourages your sinuses to drain. - Other treatment options include ways to manage your symptoms: - Try nasal sprays (like nasal steroids) and decongestants. You should not use over-the-counter medicated nose sprays longer than three days unless your healthcare provider says you should. - Get extra rest and drink extra fluids. - Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you have significant pain. - Irrigate (clean) your nasal passages with saline solution. Since this is just salt and sterile water applied to the nose for cleaning, you can continue longer than five days. ## Complications of acute sinusitis - There are rarely complications to acute sinusitis. You are likely to recover on your own. However, it is possible in very rare cases that an infection could spread farther into other spaces in your nervous system, like your brain, eyes, or spinal cord. ## Acute Sinusitis be prevented - Eat a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong. - Avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. - Minimize your contact with people who have acute respiratory or sinus infections. - Wash your hands often and before meals. - Use a humidifier in dry weather to help keep the air and your sinuses moist. - Get a yearly flu vaccine. - Treat allergies promptly. - Take oral decongestant therapy when you have nasal congestion.