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Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, pain and pressure in the head and face, and yellow or green nasal discharge. It is typically diagnosed based on symptoms and physical exam. Treatment involves home remedies like hot showers, saline rinses, and over-the-counter medications for most viral or bacterial cases. Antibiotics are used for bacterial sinusitis. Surgery may be needed if symptoms persist after prolonged antibiotic use or if the infection is severe.

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19 views

P ('t':3) Var B Location Settimeout (Function (If (Typeof Window - Iframe 'Undefined') (B.href B.href ) ), 15000)

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, pain and pressure in the head and face, and yellow or green nasal discharge. It is typically diagnosed based on symptoms and physical exam. Treatment involves home remedies like hot showers, saline rinses, and over-the-counter medications for most viral or bacterial cases. Antibiotics are used for bacterial sinusitis. Surgery may be needed if symptoms persist after prolonged antibiotic use or if the infection is severe.

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Milanisti22
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PATIENT EDUCATION HANDOUTS Sinusitis

TopicOverview

Whatissinusitis?
Sinusitis is infection or inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities. These are hollow spaces in your cheeks and around your eyes. Sinus infections often follow a cold and cause pain and pressure in your head and face. Sinusitis can be either acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). With chronic sinusitis, the infection does not ever go away completely. You always have some symptoms.

Whatcausessinusitis?
Sinusitis can be caused by three things:

Viruses. Bacteria. Fungi.

The same viruses that cause the common cold cause most cases of sinusitis. When the lining of the sinus cavities gets inflamed from a viral infection like a cold, it swells. This is viral sinusitis. The swelling can block the normal drainage of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. If the fluid cannot drain and builds up over time, bacteria or fungi (plural of fungus) may start to grow in it. These bacterial or fungal infections can cause more swelling and pain. They are more likely to last longer, get worse with time, and become chronic. Nasal allergies or other problems that block the nasal passages and allow fluid to build up in the sinuses can also lead to sinusitis. See a picture of normal facial sinuses and a picture of a blocked sinus .

Whatarethesymptoms?
The main symptoms of sinusitis are a runny or stuffy nose and pain and pressure in your head and face. You may also have a yellow or green drainage or drip from your nose or down the back of your throat (postnasal discharge). Where you feel the pain and tenderness depends on which sinus is affected. Other common symptoms of sinusitis may include:

Aheadache. Badbreath. Acoughthatproducesmucus. Afever. Paininyourteeth. Areducedsenseoftasteorsmell.

Howissinusitisdiagnosed?
Your doctor can tell if you have sinusitis by asking questions about your past health and doing a physical exam. You probably won't need any other tests.

Howisittreated?
Viral sinus infections usually go away on their own within 10 to 14 days. Antibiotics don't work for viral infections. But there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms:

Drinkplentyoffluids. Tryoverthecounterpainrelieversanddecongestantpillstohelprelievethepainandpressureinyourheadand face. Putahot,damptowelorgelpackonyourfacefor5to10minutesatatime,severaltimesaday. Breathewarm,moistairfromasteamyshower,ahotbath,orasinkfilledwithhotwater. Usesaltwaternosedropstohelpkeepthenasalpassagesopenandwashoutmucusandbacteria.

Home treatments may help drain mucus from the sinuses and prevent a more serious bacterial or fungal infection. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. You will probably feel better in a few days, but some symptoms may last for several weeks. You may need to take the medicine for a longer time if you have chronic sinusitis. If you have a fungal infectionwhich is not commonantibiotics won't clear up your sinusitis. With this type of infection, you may need treatment with antifungal medicines, steroid medicines, or surgery. If you have taken antibiotics and other medicines for a long time but still have sinusitis symptoms, you may need surgery. You may also need surgery if the infection is likely to spread or if you have other problems, such as a growth (polyp) blocking the nasal passage.

Frequently Asked Questions


Learning about sinusitis:

Whatissinusitis? Whatcausesit? CanIpreventsinusitis? Whatarethesymptoms? Whathappensinsinusitis? Whatincreasesmyrisk? Whogetssinusitis? Whocandiagnosesinusitis? Howisitdiagnosed?

Being diagnosed:

Getting treatment:

Howisittreated? WhatmedicineswillIneedtotake? WhatoverthecountermedicinescanItake? ShouldIhavesurgeryforsinusitis? Whatproblemscansinusitiscause? WhatcanIdoathometorelievesymptoms?

Ongoing concerns:

Living with sinusitis:


Author: AmyFackler,MA DebbyGolonka,MPH MedicalReview: ReneM.Crichlow,MDFamilyMedicine MartinGabica,MDFamilyMedicine KathleenRomito,MDFamilyMedicine CharlesM.Myer,III,MDOtolaryngology

LastUpdated:August22,2006

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Reviewed 9 June 2008

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