About this topic
The sinuses are air-filled spaces inside the head. They are found behind your forehead, nose, cheeks, and eyes. The spaces are lined with small hairs that clean the sinuses. ‚
Sinusitis means that your sinuses are swollen, inflamed, or infected. This happens when the small hairs that clean the sinuses do not work, or when the opening to the sinuses is blocked. Mucus is trapped inside the sinuses and causes pain. The block may be caused by: ‚
- Colds ¢ ˆ ’ This is the most common reason.
- Allergies
- Curving or bending of the wall that separates your nose. This is a deviated septum.
- Extra bony growths inside the nose. These are called nasal bone spurs.
- Chemical irritation from cigarette smoke or other irritating odors
Signs can last for up to 4 weeks or may be long-lasting. They may also appear again in a few months after you feel better. Doctors may treat sinusitis by giving drugs. Surgery may be needed if sinusitis happens again and again. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Your doctor may order a saline nose rinse to help clear your sinuses.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day to help thin mucus.
- Use two or three pillows under your head and shoulders when you sleep. This will help your sinuses drain.
- Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the steam from a bowl of warm water. This will help moisturize your sinuses. This may also drain clogged sinuses.
- Use a warm compress to your face to ease facial pain.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may send you for allergy tests or to an allergy expert.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.
- Try to stop smoking. Avoid being around others who smoke. Smoke can damage the small hairs inside your sinuses.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Control coughing
- Dry up the sinuses
- Help a runny or stuffy nose
Will physical activity be limited?
You do not have to limit your activity. You may want to rest more if you have a fever or headache. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infections that happen again and again
- Asthma attack
- Coughing
- Loss of voice
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep your nose as moist as possible. Use saline sprays, washes, and a humidifier often.
- Avoid being around cigarette and cigar smoke or strong odors from chemicals.
- Avoid long periods of swimming in pools treated with chlorine. This can bother the lining of the nose and sinuses.
- Avoid water diving. This forces water into the sinuses from the nasal passages.
- Manage your allergies with your doctors help.
- Use an air conditioner if allergies are a problem.
- Before air travel, use a drug to dry up mucus. As the plane takes off or lands, the pressure can cause sinus pain.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Sudden breathing problems
- You are not feeling better in 2 or 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
American Rhinologic Society ‚
http://care.american-rhinologic.org/adult_sinusitis ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/sinusitis/Pages/index.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚