Cold Sufferers Take Note: It May Be Sinusitis

November 9, 2002

MILWAUKEE (AAAAI) -- While some people are enjoying the fall weather and colorful leaves, others are suffering from cold and flu symptoms. But when your face still hurts, your nose is still stuffy, and you still have that nasty cough a week later, you could have something more serious - sinusitis. More than 31 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses, which are hollow cavities within the cheek bones around the eyes and behind the nose. Their primary function is to warm, moisten and filter air in the nasal cavity.

The signs and symptoms of sinusitis vary, and many people who believe they have the common cold may actually have the disease and are self-medicating improperly.

"Sinusitis can be caused by colds, allergies, problems with the immune system or structural problems in the nasal cavity," said Howard Druce, MD, FAAAAI, Chair of the AAAAI's Sinusitis Committee. If sinusitis is left untreated or undiagnosed, it can cause further complications with the nose, eyes or middle ear, lasting for months or even years."

Different types of sinusitis

There are two types of sinusitis, acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. In both forms, nasal congestion produces swelling in the sinus cavity, obstructing drainage and causing mucus to stagnate, providing a breeding ground for infection. Acute sinusitis, in most cases, is caused by a bacterial infection and usually develops as a complication five to ten days after the first symptoms of a viral respiratory infection, such as the common cold. People with allergies are more likely to develop acute sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is a recurring condition, which also may be caused by bacterial infection. More often, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder similar to bronchial asthma.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

Profuse, thick yellow-green discharge from the nose
Headaches/head congestion
Cough
Plugged up nose
Feeling of facial swelling
Toothache
Constant tiredness
Occasional fever

Headaches caused by sinusitis affect 4 out of 10 adults in the United States. The sinus headache, as well as the other symptoms, can affect every aspect of sinusitis sufferer's lives, including sleep, leisure activities, family relationships and job attendance. Sinusitis sufferers miss an average of four days of work each year and there are more than 18 million office visits to primary care physicians.

Treatment

People with sinusitis symptoms should consult with an allergist/immunologist when their symptoms interfere with their lives, causing them to miss significant amounts of school or work, or when they do not respond to usual antibiotic treatment and the condition becomes chronic, recurring two to three times a year.

Hit Counter


NANAY, Inc
Telephone 305-981-3232 FAX 305-981-3231
Postal address :: NANAY COMMUNITY CENTER: 659 N.E. 125 Street, North Miami, Florida 33161

: WEBMASTER: joybruce@aol.com

NANAY Inc. is supported by Florida Older Americans Act, Alliance for Aging for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade Alliance for Human Services, Dept of Health and Human Services, Miami-Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development, North Miami CDBG, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), National Asian Women's Health Organization (NAWHO), AETNA Foundation and United Way (Miami-Dade Reg. # 161126)