If
you have ever had what you thought was a cold or allergy that
wouldn't go away, there is a good chance you actually had
sinusitis. At least 37 million Americans are afflicted with
sinusitis each year, making it one of our most common health
disorders.
Only
Your Doctor Can Tell
Sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the sinus cavities. Unlike
a cold or allergy, bacterial sinusitis requires a physician¹s
diagnosis and treatment with an antibiotic to clear the infection
and help prevent complications.When you have frequent sinusitis,
or if the infection lasts three weeks or more, it could be chronic
sinusitis. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are usually less severe
than the acute variety; but, if left untreated, they can cause
significant problems.
Treatment
Options
For both varieties, diagnosis and treatment begin with a discussion
of your symptoms and physical examination. An x-ray or CT scan
of your sinuses may be done. Therapy generally includes an appropriate
antibiotic and perhaps a decongestant to relieve congestion.
In the case of chronic sinusitis, surgery is sometimes recommended
to remove obstructions that contribute to the condition.
Other nasal maladies may cause inflammation of the nasal mucous
membrane (rhinitis), and the patient may experience headaches,
sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip, cough and/or itching.
Sometimes, the shape of the nose can lead to chronic sinusitis,
and a deviated septum (the wall dividing the nasal cavity into
two halves) is a prime culprit. Correction involves septolasty,
a surgical procedure usually performed on an outpatient basis.
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