Sinusitis سینوزیت

Watery eyes, a stuffy nose, sneezing: How long these symptoms last can be a clue to what’s causing your congestion. Is it a cold or a sinus infection?

If it’s a cold virus, you may find yourself close to a tissue box for several days. Most of the time, colds get better on their own in 10 days or less.    eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- autumn 2019

Cold Symptoms

Colds bring on a nasty mix of symptoms that can really wear you down. They can include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Stuffy nose
• Mucus buildup
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Swollen sinuses
• Fever (usually low-grade in adults but higher in children)

The sinuses are air-filled cavities that surround the nose and nasal passages. If these passages become inflamed, fluid can build up, and interfere with the drainage of mucus in the sinuses. This condition is called sinusitis. The sinus inflammation can be caused by infections from a virus, bacteria or fungus. A deviated nasal septum or other blockages can cause sinus infections and may be develop either acute or chronic sinusitis.

What are the different types of sinusitis?

• Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
• Subacute sinus inflammation usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
• Chronic inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
• Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

The sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull. They are divided into the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. All sinuses are filled with air and, like the nose, are lined with a mucous membrane where a fine film of mucus is constantly formed. Their job is to stop dust, dirt particles or undesirable pathogens.

Sinuses become infected for a variety of reasons. Typically there is some sort of swelling or inflammation in the nose causing the lining inside the nose to swell and block the drainage pathway for the sinuses. Causes for swelling include a cold virus, inflammation from allergies, physical obstruction from bad anatomy or cold virus, inflammation from allergies, or physical obstruction from bad anatomy or growths such as polyps within the nose. Mucous collects inside the sinus when it is blocked. Bacteria from the nose then have a culture media to grow in. As bacteria find their way back into the sinus from the nose, they grow and replicate there, resulting in an infection.

The mucus film, along with any particles of dirt that are breathed in are continuously transported towards the sinuses and throat by very fine hairs. This automatically keeps the area clean all the time. Having a cold can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane. It suddenly produces much more mucus and swells. This can obstruct the fine connections between the nose and the sinuses. The mucus cannot drain as well or cannot drain at all, which causes it to build up and become the ideal breeding ground for germs that can trigger acute sinusitis.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the hollow cavities around the cheek bones, found behind the nose and around the eyes. Although more common in the winter, it can last for months — even years — if not properly treated. Allergy sufferers are also much more likely to develop chronic sinusitis than people without allergies.

Sinus Infection Symptoms:

• Sinus pressure behind the eyes and the cheeks
• A runny, stuffy nose that lasts more than a week
• A worsening headache
• A fever
• Cough
• Bad breath
• Thick yellow or green mucus draining from your nose or down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
• Fatigue
• Decreased sense of smell

Sinusitis symptoms:

• Facial pressure (especially around upper cheeks and nose)
• Headaches
• Fever
• Postnasal drip and/or green or gray nasal discharge
• Congestion
• Cough

Distinguishing between a common viral infection (a common cold) of the nose and a true sinus infection is important. Antibiotics will not be beneficial for a viral infection, whereas a bacterial infection of the sinuses caused by a viral infection may be treated with antibiotics.

Reference: 

• pari.com/int/field-of-application/sinusitis
• asternvaent.com/centersofexcellence/nose-sinus
• ranchoent.com/treatment-for-sinus-disease-san-diego
• webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/cold-sinus-infections#1
• webmd.com/allergies/qa/what-are-the-different-types-of-sinusitis
• allergychoices.com/for-patients/allergy-related-conditions/sinusitis

See also: 9 Ways to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection, Plus Tips for Prevention -- healthline.com