Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucus membrane in your sinuses. The swelling causes blockages in the nasal passages. Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center can recommend therapies to manage chronic sinusitis. Read on and learn more about its causes and potential treatment options.
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What causes sinusitis?
Sinusitis occurs when a virus or bacteria infects the air-filled areas around the nasal cavity. A common cold usually marks the onset of sinusitis. But an allergic reaction or flu could also inflame the sinuses.
Several factors may also elevate your risk, such as:
- A compromised immunity
- An allergic reaction
- Structural abnormalities in the nasal cavity
- Dehydration
The resulting sinus inflammation clogs the nasal airways, leading to nasal congestion. The fluid accumulation may increase the pressure, causing facial pain and discomfort.
Sometimes sinusitis occurs in episodes where symptoms disappear or keep recurring. There are various categories of sinusitis, including:
- Acute sinusitis: Acute sinusitis is often the result of a cold, which is a viral infection. Symptoms subside within ten days and usually disappear in less than four weeks.
- Chronic sinusitis: Sinusitis becomes chronic when symptoms persist for three months or more. It is often due to a bacterial infection in the nasal passages. Symptoms may include headaches, fevers, distorted vision, or neck stiffness.
- Recurrent acute sinusitis: This type of sinusitis occurs in cycles lasting three to four weeks before emerging later. Its distinct characteristic is symptom remission between the recurring episodes. Recurrent sinusitis typically appears four times a year. Effective management is crucial to prevent it from progressing to chronic sinusitis.
What are the possible sinusitis complications?
Symptoms of acute sinusitis can disappear within one week. But some cases may recur in intermittent episodes and eventually become chronic.
Chronic sinusitis can trigger health complications if untreated. Health problems that may arise include:
- Vision problems: The infection can spread to the eye socket and impair vision. You may experience blurred vision, tenderness around the eye, or drooping eyelids.
- Brain abscess: The sinus’s location means the inflammation can spread to your brain. It may affect your cognitive and mental health. Patients experience headaches, irritability, confused thinking, and seizures.
- Osteomyelitis: Though rare, sinusitis can trigger a bone infection, which can have life-threatening complications. Osteomyelitis is more prevalent in children but can also affect adults. Its symptoms include severe headaches, fever, and convulsions.
How is sinusitis treated?
Treatment is critical for acute or recurrent sinusitis. The factors underlying your symptoms will determine the best intervention.
Your healthcare provider may recommend antibiotics and other medication. Antihistamines can reduce irritation in the sinuses, and corticosteroids manage to swell around the inflamed tissue.
VivAER is a non-surgical alternative for sinusitis patients with nasal passage abnormalities. The process applies radiofrequency to restructure and unblock the nasal airway. It can treat nasal polyps and deviated septum and improve breathing.
Balloon sinuplasty is another minimally-invasive process involving a tube to open up the nasal passages. It is ideal for cases affecting specific areas of the sinuses. But the procedure is not recommended for nasal polyps or growths.
To book an appointment, call Silicon Valley ENT & Sinus Center or schedule a consultation online today.
