Tag Archives: sinusitis

Sinus Infections

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A sinus infection, also known as acute sinusitis, is the inflammation of the tissues in your sinuses.

A sinus infection can make breathing through the nose difficult and swell the area around the eyes and face. It may also cause a headache or a throbbing pain in the face.

The common cold is the usual cause of a sinus infection. However, other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergies can cause it.

The symptoms of a sinus infection include:

  • A runny nose with thick yellow or greenish mucus
  • Post-nasal drip
  • A stuffy nose
  • Pain, tenderness, swelling, and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead that gets worse when bending over
  • Ear pressure or pain
  • Pain or pressure in your teeth
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Bad breath
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • A changed sense of smell

Some people are more likely to get a sinus infection than others. Risk factors include:

  • Nasal allergies
  • Asthma
  • Nasal polyps
  • A deviated septum
  • A weakened immune system
  • Smoking

When diagnosing a sinus infection, a healthcare provider may ask about your symptoms and do an exam. The exam might include feeling for tenderness in the nose and face, and looking inside the nose.

Other ways to diagnose a sinus infection and rule out other conditions include:

  • A nasal endoscopy
  • Imaging studies
  • Nasal and sinus swab samples
  • Allergy testing

Most sinus infection cases get better on their own. Self-care is usually all that is needed to ease its symptoms.

Treatments to ease sinus infection symptoms can include:

  • Saline nasal spray
  • Nasal corticosteroids
  • Decongestants
  • Allergy medicines
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers

Several home remedies can help relieve symptoms of a sinus infection, including:

  • Resting
  • Drinking plenty of fluids
  • Using a warm compress
  • Keeping the sinuses moist
  • Rinsing the inside of the nose

If you are experiencing any problems due to a sinus infection, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The Link Between Asthma and Sinus Infections

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Living with asthma is difficult. Part of that difficulty is the increased chances of developing sinusitis – or a sinus infection. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as half of all people with moderate to severe asthma, also have chronic sinusitis.

ThinkstockPhotos-495647112Sinus infections can make you feel miserable. Without good treatment, they can last for months or even years. The existence of asthma can only make chronic sinusitis feel worse – and having sinusitis can make your asthma harder to control.

But there’s good news! There are lots of treatments available for both sinus infections and asthma. And studies have shown that by treating one condition often helps relieve the symptoms of the other. The key is to treat both conditions aggressively.

Treatment is important in preventing sinusitis from worsening. Again, since the conditions are linked, treating sinusitis may have the added benefit of improving your asthma symptoms.

If you have sinusitis and asthma, your doctor might recommend the following:

• Steroid nasal sprays areused to reduce the swelling and ease the inflammation of the sinuses, allowing them to drain normally.

• Decongestant and antihistamine medicines can be helpful, but overuse can lead to more congestion. Try spraying warm salt water into the nose, or breathing in steam as an option.

• If the infection is bacterial and not viral, antibiotics can help, but the full dosage of the medication should be taken even if symptoms improve immediately

• Controlling exposure to allergens is key. It can minimize your asthma symptoms and reduce your risk of sinus infections.

If you have asthma, it is important to treat a sinus infection immediately. It will help you better manage your asthma. To make an appointment to see a doctor to manage your asthma or to treat a sinus infection, please call 718-670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.