New Options for Treating Sinusitis
B O S T O N, Nov. 19 -- Sinusitis is one of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood of all common medical problems, affecting an estimated 30 million people in the United States today.
The Basics: We humans have four pairs of air-filled spaces (frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid) that are located basically above, behind and below the eyes — in the bones of our forehead, nose and upper jaw. The spaces contribute significantly to the quality of voice sound (which is why our voice sounds so nasal when they are plugged up) and they presumably help to clean and warm the air we breath in through our nose. However, their main activity too often seems to be causing a literal pain in the head when they become inflamed and infected. Inflammation can result when there is a blockage of the pinpoint openings that drain from the sinuses into the nose. The blockage causes mucous to build up in the sinuses, providing the perfect breeding ground for infectious bacteria.
The combination of blockage and infection produces the typical symptoms of acute sinusitis — feelings of pressure and congestion in the face, headaches and fever. In severe cases, shaking chills may also be experienced when the infection spreads to the blood. Many cases of acute infection are misdiagnosed simply as "head colds" or even as "the flu." Chronic sinusitis — an infection that last more than three months — can further produce confusing bodywide symptoms that can be misdiagnosed as all sorts of other problems including chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, etc. Prevention and Risk Factors: Nasal allergies, nasal polyps, serious colds — anything that can block the openings into the sinuses — can lead to sinusitis. Therefore, preventing or treating such problems quickly can reduce the risk for actual sinusitis. Other practices designed to keep the nasal passages clear include frequent, gentle blowing of the nose, lots of fluid consumption to keep nasal and sinus mucous flowing, warm facial packs, and periodic steam inhalation.
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