What is paranasal sinus disease all about?

Human paranasal sinuses are four pairs of air-filled pockets located inside the skull that are intended to lighten the weight of our head, play a role of a shock absorber in case of a head trauma, create mucus necessary for keeping all of our sinus tissues moisturized and protected, responsible for voice resonance quality. All of the sinuses cavities are lined with tiny microscopic hairs, similar to eyelashes, called cilia, that are constantly moving and help with mucus distribution.

Paranasal sinus disease is the infection of any of the sinus cavities caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, fungus, various harmful chemical or environmental irritants. Most paranasal sinus diseases are divided into two categories, acute and chronic. Acute paranasal sinus disease or sinusitis will last anywhere from 7 to 10 days and will usually not come back. On the other hand, chronic sinusitis will last for up to 3 months and will come back a few times throughout the year tremendously affecting a patient’s quality of life.

Paranasal sinus disease will trigger a set of classical symptoms like thick, yellow-green sinus drainage, sinus headache, low grade fever, pain in the teeth and eyes, redness around your nose area, lost sense of smell, extreme sinus congestion and swelling. Virus, bacteria or allergy affected sinus tissues get inflamed and swollen and can no longer drain the infected thick mucus properly, and trapped sinus mucus sometimes causes secondary infections like ear infection, bronchitis or even pneumonia. In addition, tiny microscopic hairs, cilia, inside the sinus cavities, get paralyzed and are unable to move the mucous down the openings, contributing to additional sinus blockage.

The most common treatments prescribed are antibiotics for sinus infection, decongestants reducing the sinus swelling, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory medications.

Talking to your doctor will help you get proper diagnosis and treatment.

The information supplied in this article is not intended as medical advice and should be used for educational purposes only.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.