• Home
• Lifelong Wellness

• Choose text size:
• A
• A
• A

October 22, 2010 | Comments: 0

Sinusitis: The Cold That Doesn’t Go Away

Your nose is stuffy and runny, and you have a crushing headache. You might think you have a cold, but it might instead be sinusitis.

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection in one or more of the air-filled spaces (sinuses) in the skull. It’s usually viral in origin and is almost always accompanied by inflamed nasal passages. In addition to congestion and nasal discharge, you may also have—depending on which sinuses are affected—headache, pain in the upper jaw or teeth, pain in the upper cheek, pressure around or behind the eyes, or pain around the eyes. Fever, fatigue, sore throat, and cough are less common. While colds usually go away on their own after a week or so, sinusitis usually lasts up to four weeks. But for many people, sinusitis is a chronic debilitating condition that can last months or even years.

What causes sinusitis?

The nasal passages and sinuses are connected, so anything that affects the nose can affect the sinuses. Acute sinusitis typically occurs after an upper respiratory viral infection (such as a cold) or as a consequence of allergies (such as hay fever), both of which irritate the nasal mucous membranes. If mucus and air get trapped in the sinuses and can’t drain, the sinuses can become a breeding ground for bacteria that live in the nose, setting the stage for a bacterial infection (bacterial sinusitis). Having a deviated septum, which may impair the flow of air through the nasal passage, also increases the risk of sinusitis. Nasal polyps (growths in the nose) may develop from repeated bouts of sinusitis or allergies and contribute to further bouts of sinusitis.

Soothing your sinuses

• You may not know initially if you have a cold or sinusitis, but self-care at home for either condition includes drinking plenty of fluids to thin nasal secretions, using a saline spray or steam inhalation for congestion, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. A decongestant may help, but should not be taken (especially the sprays) for more than a few days, since that can lead to more swelling and congestion. Keep your head elevated when sleeping. Acute viral sinusitis often resolves on its own.

• If your symptoms are severe, don’t improve within a couple of weeks, or get worse after initially improving, see your doctor. You may have bacterial sinusitis and may need anti­biotics.

• If your sinusitis is allergy-related, antihistamines can help, if used early (otherwise they thicken secretions). An allergy specialist can determine the best treatment, which may include prescription nasal steroids.

• If you have recurring sinusitis or chronic sinusitis, your doctor may refer you to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist who may take samples of nasal discharge and do a nasal endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. You may also be referred for imaging studies, such as a CT scan.

• In severe cases of chronic sinusitis not helped by medication, surgery may be recommended to enlarge the openings of the sinuses, remove nasal polyps, or correct a deviated septum. You should get a second opinion before undergoing surgery.

Read more on this topic