A blocked nose, headache, and a fever can indicate a common cold or the flu. However, these can also be symptoms of a sinus infection. However, unlike a cold or the influenza, sinusitis is a result of a bacterial infection and requires a completely different set of treatments. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Anita Suryanarayan, Vice President and Head Quality Assurance (South SBU), Metropolis Healthcare Limited, says, “The human body has its own defence mechanism, and it is a well-known fact that diseases can attack the body when anything or any object interferes with its harmonious existence.” According to the doctor, with so much emphasis on heart/kidney/liver diseases these days, health packages fail to recognise other health problems, such as sinusitis, which owes to the same environmental variables like food, smoking, pollution allergies and so on.
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What Is Sinusitis?
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), an estimated 13.4 crore Indians suffer from chronic sinusitis. In America, the number of adults diagnosed with sinusitis is 2.89 crore, as per the US National Center for Health Statistics.
“Sinusitis is caused by inflammation of the air passages on the forehead, cheeks, and nose, which are normally filled with air,” says Dr Suryanaryan, adding, “The mucous membrane lining these passages is covered by cilia, tiny filamentous structures which move up and down and keep clearing the passages.” Explaining further, she shares, “These spaces can get filled with water from the nasal cavity and any inflammation will also affect the functions of the cilia. Inflammation may also be due to a physical blockage like nasal polyps, or a cold, allergies, and infection by viruses, bacteria, fungus, and so on, which is known as sinusitis. Acute Sinusitis is more common than Chronic Sinusitis.”
Common Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Headache
- Facial soreness and pain
- Blocked nose
- Mucous discharge that is greenish-yellow
- Breathing difficulty
- Fever
- Altered sense of taste
- Halitosis, a oral health problem that cause bad-smelling breath
“Once the symptoms appear, it is best to address them as the treatment is very simple and easy,” says Dr Suryanarayan.
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Can A Sinus Infection Become Life-Threatening?
According to the doctor, sinusitis is not life-threatening by itself. However, if it is not treated and persists for longer periods of time, it can spread to the meninges, which is tissue surrounding the brain, causing meningitis. This can be quite serious; therefore, immediate treatment and prevention are required.
When infection spreads to the brain, it can also cause a condition called encephalitis, which can lead to symptoms, such as headache, fever, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, difficult speaking and loss of consciousness.
Treatment Options
If you’re showing signs of sinusitis, it is best to consult a doctor to receive proper and timely treatment. Dr Suryanarayan shares some common treatments, which include:
- Inhalation
- Hot water gargles
- Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory medications, and antibiotics (as prescribed by the doctor)
- Humidifiers
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Handwashing and sanitisation, as well as avoiding known allergens
- Yoga
Conclusion
Next time you have cold symptoms, do not ignore it. Get yourself examined for sinusitis and discuss necessary treatment plans with your doctor. Until and unless you receive a confirmed diagnosis, do not resort to self-medication, especially when it comes to taking antibiotics. Antibiotic misuse can often lead to resistance, allowing the bacteria to thrive and remain unresponsive to the medications.
