Headache Updates

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses or swelling of the sinus lining. Some times sinuses get filled with mucus which is secreted by the immune system as a reaction to allergens or on account of infection by bacteria, virus and germs. Sinusitis may be either acute or chronic.

Acute as well as chronic sinusitis can cause pressure within sinus cavities. All of them may have similar symptoms and it is not possible to easily distinguish between them.

Acute sinusitis is used to refer to a sinus attack that typically lasts for at least two or three weeks. In most cases, it follows a cold attack or a viral infection, leading to swelling of the sinus lining or inflammation of one of the sinus cavities.

Some persons are more susceptible to acute sinusitis infection than the others. These are people with weak or deficient immune systems, like those suffering from HIV infection, those with cystic fibrosis or those with excessive mucus production.

The common acute sinusitis symptoms are cough, fever, nasal congestion and discharge, facial swelling, foul smell, toothache especially in the upper teeth and fatigue. The condition is characterized by the presence of a thick mucus discharge, yellow or green in color.

Acute sinusitis symptoms may differ from person to person. But usually a combination of a few or most of the above mentioned symptoms is seen in patients suffering from this kind of sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis may be treated with the help of antibiotics, nasal sprays and decongestants. However, timely treatment is very important because if untreated or ignored, acute sinusitis can worsen into chronic sinusitis which is more severe and complicated in nature.