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Written by Courteney
Posted on February 26, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Acute sinusitis (more commonly known as a sinus infection) occurs when the sinus cavities fill with fluid instead of air, encouraging germs to breed which leads to an upper respiratory infection. Sinusitis can be a chronic condition, or an isolated viral episode. Acute sinus infections can be bacterial by nature, but are more often caused by a virus which invades the nasal passages. Chronic sinusitis is often caused by allergens. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), acute and chronic forms of sinusitis are responsible for over 12 million doctor’s visits annually.
While sinusitis is quite common in the summer and spring because of hay fever triggers, there are many allergenic triggers lying around the house in the winter months as well such as dust from forced air heating, pet dander that builds up because the windows can’t be opened and mold that can come in on Christmas trees or can grow around the house in cold, damp, unventilated areas. Winter is also a bad season for acute sinus infections because colds and viruses can cause infections, which are often rampant during the winter months.
Anyone who’s been plagued with sinusitis knows how uncomfortable the condition can be. Common symptoms of sinus infections include:
(Many of these symptoms also apply to chronic sinusitis, often recurring frequently.)
According to Sinus-Pro, there are certain things you can do to help decrease your chances of a sinusitis infection or flare up. Some of these provisions include:
In the past there have been problems with doctors overprescribing antibiotics to patients with viral sinus infections who didn’t need them, resulting in some people becoming antibiotic resistant, most doctors are more careful and cognizant about this issue now. Just because you have a viral sinus infection doesn’t mean there is nothing that can help you, your doctor may prescribe stronger decongestants, temporary nasal sprays or in extreme cases (or for those with severe asthma) corticosteroids may be necessary to help the patient overcome the infection. It is also important to visit a doctor if you have recurrent sinus infections, as they may refer you to an allergist or ENT specialist to get to the root of your condition and start you on the medication plan, or determine if surgical measures should be taken. So consult your PCP, or one of our esteemed DocChat physicians today to get some advice on your sinus situation!