Sinusitis Symptoms and Signs

Sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses in the nasal passage tend to get inflamed and cause a number of breathing disorders. The breathing disorders in turn, cause energy levels to drop and create the general feeling of illness right through the day, for a number of days at a stretch.

Chronic sinusitis is the term given to frequently occurring attacks of sinusitis, experienced by a certain individual. The condition is termed to be chronic and ever existent, thereby lowering the levels of energy of the individual’s body. Chronic sinusitis symptoms include a consistent blockage of the nasal passages, disallowing free breathing and respiration. Because of the lack of oxygen supplied to the blood, the head tends to get heavy and there is a throbbing sensation that is experienced in the areas of the nasal cavity and around the cheeks.

These symptoms may or may not be accompanied by the occurrence of a dull, thudding headache. Acute sinusitis symptoms may involve the occurrence of a fever and a splitting headache that may even lead to vomiting. One of the sinuses, known as the sphenoid sinus, sits at the back of the nasal passage, just under the brain. An inflammation of the sphenoid sinus results in sphenoid sinusitis that is extremely difficult to diagnose. Sphenoid sinusitis symptoms include cause a dull headache that could last for days and will be extremely difficult to diagnose. Ethmoid sinusitis, on the other hand, is an infection of the paranasal sinuses that lie at the front, middle and rear of the ethmoid bone in the nasal passage. Ethmoid sinusitis symptoms manifest in extensive pain felt around the area of the eyes and the temples. The person may experience a stuffy nose and an inability to breathe, as is common to all sinus attacks. Fungal sinusitis symptoms involve a fungal infection of the sinuses in the nasal cavity. Again, a stuffy nose will be evident, along with fever, sore throat and the feeling of nausea. Fever, pain in the facial area, coughs that are prominent at night time and a running nose are maxillary sinusitis symptoms that can cause a person extreme discomfort.

Sinusitis Treatment

Chronic sinusitis treatment can be carried out through the use of antibiotics, but it must be kept in mind that antibiotics could have certain side effects. There are various methods of treatment that can be administered to ease the discomfort caused by sinusitis. For instance, drawing out the secretions of the sinuses will help to clear the nasal cavity and allow space for regular breathing to resume. A saline solution to flush out the nasal cavities is an age old remedy of acute sinusitis treatment. Fungal sinusitis treatments can be taken care of through inhalations that include medical compositions. Maxillary sinusitis treatment, ethmoid sinusitis treatment, sphenoid sinus treatment and bacterial sinusitis treatment should be carried out only on the advice of an ENT specialist, who will be able to give you the best advice on what is to be done.

Sinusitis in Children

Chronic sinusitis in children can cause immense discomfort to the child, as well as be very upsetting for parents of the child. An inability to breathe freely is one of the worst things you could experience, and is very uncomfortable for children. Apart from the inability to breathe easily, the occurrence of the headache and heaviness in the face will cause a child to feel constantly unwell and tired. Acute sinusitis in children is not as difficult to diagnose as it seems, but is often confused with a common cough and cold. Check the color and texture of the mucus when a child coughs or sneezes. This will help in diagnosing acute sinusitis. The symptoms of sinusitis in children are more or less the same as experienced by adults. However, the headaches and breathlessness may be more intense than experienced by an adult. Treatment of sinusitis in children should be taken charge of by a doctor. Avoid any form of self medication for your child as antibiotic drugs may have harmful side effects. To treat sinusitis in children, surgery is not recommended until all other methods of treatment have proved to be pointless. There are chances that a child may grow out of what is believed to be a chronic condition of sinusitis, and children should be allowed that chance to do so.

Causes of Sinusitis

One of the main causes of sinusitis in children is a bacterial infection of the sinuses. Environmental causes of sinusitis could include dust allergies that have caused a chronic infection of the sinuses. Similarly, allergies to pollen are another probable cause for sinusitis in children. Fungal causes of sinusitis in children could be brought under control by ensuring that the child has a well balanced diet that includes vitamins and proteins, to further boost the immune system. Giving your child a hot bath, and allowing him or her to breathe in the steam will help to dislodge mucus that is present in the nasal cavities and allow for more relaxed breathing. Symptoms and causes of sinusitis need to be looked out for, when your child has developed a chronic cold, and your observations will help to pin point the allergen that is causing the discomfort.

Submitted on April 28, 2011