All About Sinus Disease

More than 37 million Americans suffer each year from sinus-related diseases. On the other hand, these people spend more than $5.8 billion each year on sinusitis medications which make sinus infections one of the largest public health issues in the country. Sinus disease is a complex topic that includes many illnesses relating to the sinuses. The sinuses are located just to the sides of your nose and extend to the bottom of the skull. These hollow bony spaces are filled with mucus. Most of the time, sinusitis is difficult to diagnose since it is confused with certain diseases confined to the nose itself.

The Cause Of Sinusitis

Sinusitis is caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. The most common cause of the infection is a virus. People with weak immune systems are more likely to be affected with the condition. Acute sinusitis will last for 3-4 weeks. But if the disease persists for more than eight weeks, it is considered chronic. That’s when you have to consult your doctor for an effective diagnosis of the condition.

The most common symptoms of the condition include fever, toothaches, nasal congestion, tenderness of the face, greenish nasal discharge, bad breath, fatigue, coughing, and postnasal drips. It is important that you consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have been suffering from the condition for more than 3-4 weeks.

Your doctor will diagnose the condition looking at the symptoms and examining your throat, nose, and sinuses. He or she will look for swelling in the nasal tissues, redness, bad breath, tenderness of the face, and a greenish nasal discharge. If the disease lasts longer than eight weeks and the standard course of antibiotic is not effective, your doctor will order a CT scan to diagnose the problem. An allergist may examine your sinus openings. They will use a long, thin, small camera with a light at one end of it. This camera is inserted into the nose of the patient. It is not painful. But your doctor may give a light anesthetic nasal spray to ease any discomfort associated with the procedure. A mucus culture will also help determine the exact cause of your sinus disease. Most of the time, mucus samples are taken from the nose of the patient. Your doctor may also order a CT scan to determine the extent of the disease. These are some of the most popular methods of diagnosing sinus diseases.

Treatments For Sinusitis

There is a wide range of treatment methods for sinus infections in Ogden. Most of the time, the disease will recede by itself after 3-4 weeks. If the condition doesn’t recede after such time, you should consult a qualified healthcare provider for appropriate treatments. If the condition is due to a bacteria, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic course. You may have to take the medication from 3 to 28 days depending on the severity of your condition. Since the sinuses are deep-seated in the bones, the blood supply to the area is limited. Hence, longer treatments might be prescribed for patients with chronic sinusitis in Ogden. You may have to take over the counter painkillers to relieve the symptoms of the condition. In fact, you should not overuse or abuse antibiotics since it can decrease the strength of the medications over time.

Topical nasal decongestants are effective to reduce the swelling and open up the nasal passage. But they should not be taken for more than 3-4 days  maximum. Antihistamines are important to block the inflammation caused by allergic reactions which can reduce the swelling in the nasal passage. Nasal saline washes can help clear the thickened mucus in the nasal passage. If drug therapy fails, surgery might be the last resort to cure the condition. Surgery is usually performed by an otolaryngologist. Most of the time, such a surgery will target anatomical defects in the skull. The surgeon will fix any defects in the bone which separate the nasal passages, open up close passages, and remove nasal polyps. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and you can go home the same day.

There are many natural remedies that are effective in treating a mild to moderate sinus illness or sinus infection in Ogden. Staying hydrated throughout the day is one of the most important things to do when you suffer from sinusitis. It helps thin out the mucus and drain it from the irritated sinuses. Saltwater rinse, saline nasal wash, and apple cider vinegar will help thin out excessive mucus and provide instant relief.

In conclusion, sinus disease affects more than 37 million Americans each year. If you suffer from the condition for more than eight weeks, you should consult a qualified healthcare provider for appropriate diagnosis and treatments for sinus infections in Ogden.