Sinus

Sinus is the term that refers to a sac or cavity in any organ or tissue that is most commonly used to refer to the air cavities in the skull. The paranasal sinuses include the maxillary sinuses, the frontal sinuses, the ethmoid sinuses and the sigmoid sinuses.

Sinusitis or sinus infection is inflammation that occurs on the paranasal sinuses as a result of infection by bacteria, viruses, or as a result of an autoimmune disorder. The presence of nasal polyps can increase the risk for sinusitis. The condition was recently reclassified as rhinosinusitis, since it is known that sinusitis will not develop without prior nasal irritation.

Sinusitis Symptoms

One of the common symptoms of a sinus infection is the sinus headache, which is characterized by a headache or facial pain over the affected sinuses, which can worsen when the person bends down or when lying on a supine position. It may be accompanied by nasal congestion, the presence of a thick purulent nasal discharge and post nasal drip. A person with a sinus infection may also have a cough and bad breath.

Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

Problems with the sinus can be acute of chronic. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than eight weeks or less than three times per year. A chronic sinus infection, on the other hand lasts longer than eight weeks or more than four times per year.

Seeking Medical Care for Sinus Infections

Although most cases of sinusitis are mild and may not require medications or antibiotics, there are instances when a sinus infection needs to be seen by a doctor. Very high fever, a soft tissue swelling over the frontal sinus that results to constant pain, infection of the eye socket characterized by swelling of the eyelid, and a fixed and dilated pupil seen on someone suffering from ethmoid sinusitis all require emergency medical attention. Infection of the eye socket can lead to blindness if not treated early, while a fixed and dilated pupil usually indicates a blood clot in the sinus area on the top of the face. Emergency medical attention should be given to a person who manifests a very high fever with abrupt changes in behavior, headache, neck stiffness, visual problems and seizures. All these symptoms indicate that the infection may have spread to the brain.