The sinuses are cavities within the bones of the cheeks and forehead which are normally filled with air. The tissue lining the sinuses is similar to that in the nose and throat and produces a small amount of mucus or catarrh which in healthy sinuses constantly drains away down small tubes into the back of the nose.
Sinusitis means infection of one or more of the sinuses. It tends to follow on from a cold although it can occur "out of the blue". The infection causes the lining of the sinus, most commonly one or other of the cheekbone (maxillary) sinuses, to become inflamed and produce increased volumes of mucus which may or may not be able to drain away in the normal fashion.
Symptoms of sinusitis therefore include typical infective symptoms such as a high temperature and a feeling of being unwell. Also the inflammation within the sinuses can cause pain and tenderness over the affected area, particularly if the mucus accumulates within the sinus as a result of blockage of a drainage tube. The pain of sinusitis can be quite severe and tends to be more pronounced on bending the head forwards. There may also be nasal symptoms, such as a blocked nose, or alternatively a runny nose with a greeny-yellow discharge of infected mucus or pus from the affected sinuses.
As sinusitis often represents an extension of a viral cold (upper respiratory tract infection) into the sinuses, simply using painkillers whilst waiting for the body to deal with the viral infection itself may be all that is required for the symptoms to settle. However, if symptoms are severe or worsening over a few days, it may be that a secondary bacterial infection has developed which would benefit from antibiotic medication. If a blocked nose is a prominent symptom, this may be helped by using decongestant nasal sprays or drops which can be bought over-the-counter at pharmacies. However, these are thought to have little impact on the sinus infection per se and should not be used for more than 5 days at a time as treatment for longer than this can result in a "rebound" effect with increased inflammation and nasal blockage when they are finally stopped.
By contrast steam inhalation is safe and, when used regularly 3 or 4 times a day, can help with nose and sinus blockage by encouraging the thick viscid mucus to become more ‘runny’ and so more able to drain away down the narrow sinus/nasal passages. For greatest effect a towel can be draped over the head whilst inhaling the steam over a bowl of hot water. Menthol crystals or eucalyptus oil can be added to the water and may give additional benefit.
A minority of people are prone to recurrent episodes of acute sinus infection, often on a background of a chronically blocked nose. These people may benefit from anti-inflammatory steroid nose sprays and occasionally need to see an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist to consider surgical treatment.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or substituted for professional advice. Always consult your doctor with your questions and concerns.
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