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When To Seek Treatment For Sinus Infection

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Types Of Chronic Sinusitis Or Chronic Sinus Infections

Sinusitis, Animation.

While acute sinusitis often involves an infection, chronic sinusitis does not. Sometimes, the long-term illness is caused by an infection that hasn’t cleared up properly, but most often the exact cause of chronic sinusitis isn’t known.

But clinicians may categorize chronic sinusitis into one of three types depending on the features present.

The most common type of the illness, chronic sinusitis without nasal polyposis, involves swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes by various non-polyp factors, such as allergies or irritation and infections.

Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis, on the other hand, involves nasal polyps that are large enough to clog the sinus. It’s not always clear why some people develop these polyps and others dont.

In chronic sinusitis with fungal allergy, people experience a strong allergic reaction to fungi in the air, which causes their mucous membranes to produce a thick, dense mucus.

What Is A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis

Inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose is referred to as sinusitis. Sinusitis can be caused by infection , but also can be caused by allergy and chemical irritation of the sinuses. A sinus infection occurs when a virus, bacterium, or fungus grows within a sinus.

  • Sinusitis is one of the more common conditions that can afflict people throughout their lives.
  • Sinusitis commonly occurs when environmental pollens irritate the nasal passages, such as with hay fever.
  • Sinusitis can also result from irritants, such as chemicals or the use and/or abuse of over-the-counter nasal sprays, and
  • illegal substances that may be snorted or inhaled through the nose.

About 30 million adults have âsinusitis.â Colds differ from sinusitis and are only caused by viruses and last about seven to 10 days while sinusitis may have many different causes , and usually last longer with more pronounced and variable symptoms.

When To Seek Medical Care

See a doctor if you have:

  • Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
  • Symptoms that get worse after improving.
  • Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
  • Fever longer than 3-4 days.

You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.

Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:

  • Seasonal allergies

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When To Seek Urgent Care For A Sinus Infection

Most minor sinus infections get better on their own without the need for medical treatment. More severe sinus infections, however, require urgent care.

First and most importantly, it is important to seek urgent care for a sinus infection if the symptoms begin to worsen or last for an extended amount of time. In the event you have severe trouble breathing due to your sinus infection, then be sure to come in for a visit as soon as possible to have your sinuses cleared out. Also, keep a close eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if they do not improve after a week.

Additionally, urgent care is highly encouraged if your child develops a sinus infection as they have less of an ability to fight off the infection quickly. Also, it can be much more challenging to diagnose the cause of the sinus inflammation in children. In some cases, the reason could be due to an underlying allergy that you were not aware about.

When you visit, expect us to thoroughly examine you or your childs symptoms and document any information that is relevant to make a proper diagnosis. It may be helpful for you and your child to make a list of all of the symptoms that you or your child has been experiencing, any medications that are currently being taken and any allergies that may exist. Also, consider any questions you may want to ask the doctor at your visit.

Signs Of Sinus Infection

Home Remedy For Earwax &  Ear Infections

If you are experiencing a sinus infection, you may have some or all of the most common symptoms listed below. But just because you only have one or two of these symptoms does not mean you do not have a sinus infection.

Its important to take inventory of your body, noting where you are experiencing pain or irritation, how severe your pain or irritation is, and how you are feeling in general. Once you have self-monitored for a short time, youll know if your sinus infection is something you can treat at home or if its time to see a doctor.

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Risk Of Unnecessary Antibiotics For Sinus Infections

Taking unnecessary antibiotics for a sinus infection is not only ineffectual, but can actually be harmful to the patient. Risks of taking unneeded antibiotics include:

  • Increased chance of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection at a later time
  • Destruction of healthy stomach bacteria, which can allow harmful bacteria to grow
  • Possible side effects, such as upset stomach, rash, or dizziness
  • Allergic reaction

According to studies conducted by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , 60-70% of patients with sinus infections fully recover without the use of antibiotics. Additional research shows that almost 90% of U.S. adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis are prescribed antibiotics.

This overuse of antibiotics for sinus infections, as well as other conditions, can lead to antibiotic resistance, a state in which bacteria change over time as a reaction to antibiotic treatment, in order to survive and multiply, thus making the antibiotics less effective.

Evaluate Your Sinus Symptoms

If youve had a runny, stuffy nose, congestion, coughing, fatigue, and sinus pressure behind your eyes and cheeks, and these symptoms last for more than twelve weeks or continue to recur, you may be experiencing chronic sinusitis, a problem for 30 million Americans.

Find out if youre a candidate for a procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty which greatly reduces the suffering experienced by chronic sinusitis patients.

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Should I Go To Urgent Care For A Sinus Infection

by velocityucadmin | Jan 16, 2020 | Blog

Should I Go to Urgent Care for a Sinus Infection?

Everyone has had a sinus infection at some point. They come with plenty of facial pain, nasal drainage, headaches. However, most people dont know what they should do when they come down with one. Should I go to urgent care? Should I tough it out at home? Do I need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist?

Answering those questions isnt as difficult as it sounds. In fact, you can almost surely cross seeing a specialist off your list. Though it might not feel like it at the time, a sinus infection is a fairly common illness that affects tens of millions of adults each year. With that being said, some sinus infections can be treated effectively at home while others might need to be treated by a professional.

How to Tell if You Have a Sinus Infection

Inside your skull, there are several pockets of air. These are called your sinuses and help with a variety of things in daily life. For example, they keep your head from being too heavy. However, they are also prone to infection when fluid backs up into them and allows germs to take over. This leads to sinuses that are clogged by thick mucus that causes the various symptoms of a sinus infection.

How to Treat a Sinus Infection at Home

When to Seek Medical Care for a Sinus Infection

Not everyone who has a sinus infection will need to seek medical care. However, there are some times when home remedies simply arent enough.

What Medications Are Used To Treat Sinus Infections

When You Should Seek Medical Attention for Sinusitis – SLUCare Health Watch

Antibiotics:

First and foremost, if you are suffering from an active bacterial sinus infection you may be treated with antibiotics. Depending on whether you have acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis will determine your course of therapy.As acute sinusitis may require 10 -14 days of antibiotic therapy chronic sinusitis may need to be treated for up to 30 days with medication.Remember Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses such as the common cold and will clear up within 10 or so days. In this case, antibiotics will not be helpful as antibiotics kill bacteria not viruses. Based upon your symptoms, medical history and physical examination your doctor will help determine if antibiotics are necessary.

Pain Medication:

Sinus headaches hurt. Sometimes the pain and pressure can make basic everyday activities impossible to do. So many times those suffering from sinusitis will take an over the counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen . Make sure to follow the labeled directions and see your doctor if your symptoms havent improved after a week or if they worsen.

Aerosolized antibiotics, steroids and antifugal treatments:

These may be administered through an aerosol or a nasal rinse. Frequently a compounding pharmacy is required to create this rinse.

Antihistamines:

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What Are The Types Of Face Pain

The exact type of pain you feel will depend on the cause. A dull, throbbing pain on one side of your face or around your mouth is generally due to problems within the mouth, such as a toothache, cavity, or abscess. If you experience this type of pain, contact your dentist.

The pain associated with sinusitis feels like pressure or an aching pain across the front of the cheekbones and underneath the eyes. Abscesses and ulcers will often throb at the site of the sore. Headaches and injuries can feel like a stabbing sensation or can throb and ache.

Because there are many causes of facial pain, talk to your doctor if you experience pain thats unexplainable or unbearable.

Can I Prevent Sinusitis

There is no sure-fire way to prevent sinusitis. But there are some things that might help.

  • Donât smoke, and avoid other people’s smoke.
  • Wash your hands often, especially during cold and flu season, and try not to touch your face.
  • Stay away from things you know youâre allergic to. Talk to your doctor to see if you need prescription medicines, allergy shots, or other forms of immunotherapy.

If your sinus problems keep coming back, ask your doctor about the pros and cons of surgery to clean and drain the sinuses.

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How Can I Avoid Future Sinus Infections

Once youve had a nasty sinus infection, you wont want to relive the experience. To help prevent them from occurring again, get your annual flu shot and steer clear of people with colds or the flu. Use your humidifier. Live as healthfully as you can get sufficient sleep, reduce stress and eat a wholesome diet with plenty of whole grains, lean proteins and fruits and vegetables. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and if you do smoke, take steps to quit. Last, but not least, always wash your hands.

Ultimately, sinusitis is a painful and revolting nuisance. But approaching them with these smart strategies could save you a world of hurt.

Treatment Options For A Sinus Infection

Sinus hole On Ear

If your symptoms become a severe cause for concern , you may need to visit our urgent care for additional treatment. Upon entering our urgent care facility, the first thing we will do is an assessment. There are several common tactics performed to try and diagnose a sinus infection, which include a detailed examination into your nasal passageways.

After diagnosis, there are several treatment options available, and the exact treatment method decided upon is based mainly upon the cause of the infection. In the event the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics, which is often the most successful method used. However, antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Instead, antiviral medications are likely to be given for viral infections such as the cold.

One of the main reasons for sinus inflammation is allergies, which is a condition where the immune system rejects a substance it deems harmful. If allergies are determined to be the cause of the sinus inflammation, a steroid spray can be prescribed. The nasal spray should help reduce the severity of the reaction, which ultimately allows the sinus inflammation to stay at a tolerable level.

Regardless of the medical treatment that is given for the sinus infection, there are over-the-counter medications that can also be taken to help deal with the symptoms, which include:

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Schedule An Appointment For Recurring Sinus Infection Treatment In Federal Way Wa

Only an ENT physician has the fellowship training in nasal and sinus issues to provide an individualized treatment plan just for you. When your quality of life is affected by recurrent sinus infections, it is time to take action. Contact Dr. Ryan Stern at , or request an appointment online, for treatment of recurrent sinus infections.

Emergency Care For Urgent Situations: Sinus Infections

Emergency Care for Urgent Situations: Sinus Infections

With winter just around the corner at the end of the year, you should prepare for more than just giving out gifts as this is the season where getting sick is common. Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, is one of the sicknesses that are prevalent during the winter and one Im sure we have encountered at one time or the other. A sinus infection basically is the inflammation or the swelling of the sinuses and is usually the result of the sinus openings being blocked or due to accumulation of too much mucus. It can be caused by allergies, an infection or even chemical irritation of the sinus among other causes. A sinus infection can be quite annoying, painful and uncomfortable and that is why it is important to know of its symptoms and how to proceed, especially in severe cases. In most cases, a sinus infection may actually clear on its own after a few days. However, there are certain instances where the infection could lead to serious medical complications if not attended to as soon as possible. This article will look to highlight some of the signs to look out for in cases of urgent situations concerning sinus infections as well as how to proceed if you find yourself in such a situation.

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What Causes Sinus Infections

There are four pairs of sinuses in the area around your nose, located above your eyes, behind your eyes, alongside the bridge of your nose, and near your cheekbones. Normally, your sinuses are empty. However, when they become inflamedoften due to allergies or a viral infection like the common coldthey can swell up and prevent mucus from draining out as it usually would. The resulting buildup of mucus provides the perfect breeding ground for germs, which can in turn lead to the development of an infection.

Although sinusitis normally results from a viral infection, it can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Its difficult to distinguish between the two, since many of the symptoms overlap, but a trained medical provider will be able to pinpoint the specific cause of your condition. Its important to know the difference, since antibiotics could be used to help treat a bacterial infection, while they would have no effect on a viral infection.

Common Colds And Sinus Infections

Sinusitis – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

A viral infection associated with the common cold is the most common cause of sinus infections .

This virus may jump to other people, causing a cold that may also develop into viral sinusitis.

In only 0.5 to 2 percent of cases do people develop bacterial sinusitis , which is typically a complication of viral sinusitis. Bacterial sinusitis is not contagious.

In rare cases, fungi can cause a sinus infection, particularly if a person has a fungal allergy. But fungal sinusitis generally does not affect people with healthy immune systems.

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Favorite Resources For Finding A Specialist

Through research, education, and advocacy, the American Rhinologic Society is devoted to serving patients with nose, sinus, and skull base disorders. Their website provides a valuable search tool to find a doctor, as well as links to other medical societies and resources that are useful for patients.

Check If You Have Sinusitis

Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

  • pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
  • a reduced sense of smell
  • green or yellow mucus from your nose
  • a sinus headache

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

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Lingering Sinus Infection Or Chronic Runny Nose

A lingering sinus infection is different from a chronic runny nose. Chronic runny nose typically comes from allergies or other irritants in the air. However, this can turn into an infection over time.

When the sinuses become infected, the allergies, irritants, or viral cold have caused swelling in the nose thats blocked the drainage pathways. Consequently, fluid and mucous accumulate in the sinuses, where it has become infected with bacteria.

If youve been sick more than 10 days and begin to experience other symptoms like facial pressure, headache, and fever, youre dealing with more than a chronic runny nose.

Balloon Sinuplasty Promotes Sinus Drainage: A Minimally Invasive Technique

How to Prevent Sinus Infection [Infographic]

Dr. Davis is excited to offer patients a revolutionary office treatment for mild to moderate chronic and recurrent sinusitis called balloon sinuplasty. During the procedure, Dr. Davis threads a small catheter through the sinus opening and inflates a balloon with water. The balloon dilates the sinus opening and widens the outflow tract, which encourages it to drain.

The procedure is a quick, non-invasive way to improve drainage, reduce the potential for bacterial infections, and improve breathing. Numerous studies have shown that 90-95% of balloon sinuplasty patients benefit from the procedure for at least two years.

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