Frank's advice on Sinusitis
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 10:54
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus (usually in the cheekbones) caused commonly by infection or allergy.
Acute Sinusitis is brought on by a viral illnes such as cold or flu, by an allergy such as hayfever or sometimesfrom dental problems. It only lasts a few days,but may persist for longer.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness in the bones of the face, with a blocked nose,sometimes developing into a bacterial infection with a 'grotty' nasal discharge.
Usually antibiotics are not needed, unless you really feel unwell and have a temperature.
Treatment includes painkillers and decongestant nasal sprays, but these are for short term only, as rebound congestion can occur making symtoms worse. I prefer to use an oily decongestant such as Olbas Oil, put a few drops on a tissue and keep sniffing it to stimulate clearance of nasal mucus. ask your Murray's Pharmacist for help.
Sinusitis lasting longer than two to three weeks becomes sub-acute then chronic. The initial viral infection can block the sinus ducts and a bacterial infection can result, complicationg the inflammation and blockages so increasing pain and pressure. This can last for weeks and months.
All the symptoms of runny nose and mucus can temporarily get a bit better then flare up again. These alternating episode can result in damage to the sinus ducts, stopping drainage. Your Doctor can help with this.
Treatment of all these chronic symptoms can involve steroid sprays & drops, and the use of antibiotics. You can also use painkillers and the other treatments for acute sinusitis. In bad cases surgery on the nose to clear the sinus ducts can be an option.
Here in Barrow we have a problem of tiny salt crystals in the atmosphere from the sea spray when it is windy, and also from the salt flats when the tide is out. these are rought and sharp and irritate the nasal tissues as they dissolve. The resulting concentated salt also irritates catarrh and sinusitis results. This is in addition to cold viruses and allergies.
Saline nasal washes and sniffing the decongestant oils from a tissue can help. Ask your Murray's Pharmacist.
