Sinus infections are also known as sinusitis, and nearly 37
million Americans will suffer from at least one sinus infection each
year. Of those, 29.4 million people suffer from chronic sinusitis—a
little over 12 percent of the American adult population. Sinus
infections can be very minor or very serious. Some may result in a
visit to an ENT specialist in Boynton Beach.
Sinus infections or sinusitis affects the sinuses, which are a
cavity that is filled with air within the bone or other tissue. Your
sinuses are found in the face or skull, and they connect with the
nasal cavities. When the sinuses become infected, you may feel
pressure and pain. Sinus infections can be very uncomfortable.
A sinus infection or sinusitis occurs when the tissues in the sinuses become inflamed. Although the sinuses are usually relatively empty, when the sinuses fill with fluid, bacteria and germs can grow and cause a sinus infection. Viruses are a particularly common cause of sinus infections.
Sinusitis can be caused by other conditions, including:
It is important to keep in mind that sinus infections can occur at virtually any time of the year, although they may correspond with your particular allergy season as well.
Sinus infections are generally not contagious. This is generally because the infection itself is a result of a buildup in the sinuses, not coming in contact with someone with a sinus infection.
However, the bacteria and germs that the nasal discharge produce can cause similar illnesses in other people, including the common cold. Because the common cold is often a “first step” to sinusitis, another person could develop a sinus infection as well.
Sinus infections vary in seriousness. There are generally four types:
1.) Acute sinusitis:This type of sinus infection is most similar to the common cold, but facial pain will not go away even after 10 to 14 days. It will usually last less than four weeks.
2.)Subacute sinusitis: This sinus infection will last between four and eight weeks.
3.) Chronic sinusitis: This sinus infection will last more than eight weeks. Read more about chronic sinusitis here.
4.) Recurrent sinusitis: Those with this condition will suffer from several sinus infections throughout the year.
How you treat your sinus infection will depend on the severity and type. For example, if your ENT specialist thinks that your sinus infection is caused by bacteria, then he or she may prescribe antibiotics to help curb the infection.
On the other hand, if the infection is caused by a fungus, then this is considered a medical emergency, and you should see a doctor right away.
Mucormycosis is one such fungal infection. If you notice swollen skin over the nose and sinuses, dark scabbing by the eyes, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath along with more traditional sinus infection symptoms, then head to the doctor right away.
If you have acute sinusitis, you may simply want to use decongestants or try steam treatment. Keep in mind, however, that decongestants should not be used for more than four or five days consistently because they can actually increase congestion instead of calming it. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you may want to invest in a vaporizer or try inhaling the steam from a pot of boiling water. Saline nose drops might be a good idea as well.
Other treatments that your doctor may recommend include:
You may also want to head to the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
If your sinus infection goes untreated, and it turns out to be much more serious than you initially thought, it could lead to meningitis or even brain abscesses. Infection of the bone could also result.
Sinus infections can cause other problems, so it is important to see an ENT specialist in Boynton Beach before your sinusitis gets out of hand. Read more about how your sinus infection can cause other problems.
An ENT specialist can help you get your sinus infection under control. Click here for more information.
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What is a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection or sinusitis occurs when the tissues in the sinuses become inflamed. Although the sinuses are usually relatively empty, when the sinuses fill with fluid, bacteria and germs can grow and cause a sinus infection. Viruses are a particularly common cause of sinus infections.
Sinusitis can be caused by other conditions, including:
- The common cold
- Allergic rhinitis
- Nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose)
- Deviated septum (shift in the nasal cavity)
- Facial pain or pressure
- Nasal stuffiness
- Nasal discharge (usually yellowish or greenish)
- Loss of smell
- Congestion or cough
- Fever
- pain
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
It is important to keep in mind that sinus infections can occur at virtually any time of the year, although they may correspond with your particular allergy season as well.
Can a Sinus Infection Spread to Others?
Sinus infections are generally not contagious. This is generally because the infection itself is a result of a buildup in the sinuses, not coming in contact with someone with a sinus infection.
However, the bacteria and germs that the nasal discharge produce can cause similar illnesses in other people, including the common cold. Because the common cold is often a “first step” to sinusitis, another person could develop a sinus infection as well.
Types of Sinus Infections
Sinus infections vary in seriousness. There are generally four types:
1.) Acute sinusitis:This type of sinus infection is most similar to the common cold, but facial pain will not go away even after 10 to 14 days. It will usually last less than four weeks.
2.)Subacute sinusitis: This sinus infection will last between four and eight weeks.
3.) Chronic sinusitis: This sinus infection will last more than eight weeks. Read more about chronic sinusitis here.
4.) Recurrent sinusitis: Those with this condition will suffer from several sinus infections throughout the year.
How you treat your sinus infection will depend on the severity and type. For example, if your ENT specialist thinks that your sinus infection is caused by bacteria, then he or she may prescribe antibiotics to help curb the infection.
On the other hand, if the infection is caused by a fungus, then this is considered a medical emergency, and you should see a doctor right away.
Mucormycosis is one such fungal infection. If you notice swollen skin over the nose and sinuses, dark scabbing by the eyes, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath along with more traditional sinus infection symptoms, then head to the doctor right away.
If you have acute sinusitis, you may simply want to use decongestants or try steam treatment. Keep in mind, however, that decongestants should not be used for more than four or five days consistently because they can actually increase congestion instead of calming it. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you may want to invest in a vaporizer or try inhaling the steam from a pot of boiling water. Saline nose drops might be a good idea as well.
Other treatments that your doctor may recommend include:
- Oral steroids to reduce inflammation
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking (even if it just while you treat your sinus infection)
- Nasal sprays
- Nose drops
- Allergy treatments
When Should I See an ENT Specialist in Boynton Beach About My Sinus Infection?
You might want to try some home remedies to treat your sinus infection first, including decongestants and steam. If your symptoms do not seem to improve within a few days, it may be time to see an ENT specialist in Boynton Beach.You may also want to head to the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the face or upper teeth
- Fever of 101° F or above
- Headache that is not eased by over-the-counter pain medications
- Pain from the nose bridge to the lower eyelid
- Cold symptoms that last longer than 10 days (or worsen after 7 days)
- Mild or chronic face pain that has lasted more than a month without speaking to a doctor
- No improvement after starting antibiotics
- Nasal discharge that becomes thick and discolored
If your sinus infection goes untreated, and it turns out to be much more serious than you initially thought, it could lead to meningitis or even brain abscesses. Infection of the bone could also result.
Why It’s Important to See an ENT Specialist in Boynton Beach
Sinus infections can cause other problems, so it is important to see an ENT specialist in Boynton Beach before your sinusitis gets out of hand. Read more about how your sinus infection can cause other problems.
An ENT specialist can help you get your sinus infection under control. Click here for more information.
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