FAQ

1) What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis, simply put, is inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities. This inflammation blocks your nasal passageways, which hinders your breathing and blocks normal mucus drainage. There are many causes for this inflammation such as outside pathogens (e.g. bacteria or virus), structural anomalies (deviates septum) and/or environmental influences (allergies). Symptoms and treatment depend on the cause and severity of the inflammation. This disease can greatly affect your quality of life and early treatment is strongly suggested.

2) Do you have constant headaches or migraines?

You may be experiencing sinus headaches because symptoms are similar to tension headaches and migraines. Sinus headaches cause a dull, deep, throbbing pain in the front of your head and face.

Sinus headaches generally have these symptoms:

• Pressure-like pain in one specific area of your face or head (for example, behind your eyes)
• Face is tender to the touch
• Pain is worse with sudden movements of the head and bending forward
• Worse pain in the morning (because mucus has been collecting and draining all night)
• Sudden temperature changes, like going out into the cold from a warm room, worsen the pain
• Headache often starts when you have a bad cold or just after

3) Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?

Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the disease. The most common signs of Sinusitis include:

• Headache
• Facial Pressure/Pain
• Ear Pressure, Pain, or Fullness
• Dental Pain
• Congestion
• Post-nasal drainage (drainage into the back of the throat)
• Yellow/Green nasal discharge
• Persistent Cough particularly during the day
• Reduced or absent sense of smell
• Labored Breathing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Halitosis (Bad Breath)
• Symptoms that continue for 10 days or more after the start of a cold or flu
• Symptoms worsen after 5-7 days, or return after initial improvement in a cold referred to as double sickening
• Eyes may be red, bulging, or painful if the sinus infection occurs around the eyes

4) How common is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting Americans. More than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of sinusitis each year. The number of sinusitis sufferers has soared in the last 10 years due to the increase in pollution, urban sprawl and our bodies increased resistance to antibiotics. Many sinusitis sufferers do not however seek treatment, as they do not know they have sinusitis, or because this condition is overlooked due to "more serious conditions".

5) Who gets Sinusitis?

Anyone can get a sinus infection. Any colds or nasal allergies may be the first sign of sinusitis developing.

• Children can easily contract sinusitis through swimming, breathing in cold-dry air or attending a day care which does not take precautions to help stop your child from contracting sinusitis. Boys seem to be more predisposed to contracting sinus infections than girls.
• Children who have ear infections, GE reflux, cystic fibrosis, immune problems, deviated nasal septa, or poorly functioning cilia are more likely to develop sinus infections.
• Sinus infections are more common where one is exposed to cigarette smoke.
• Asthma sufferers often find they have got a sinus infection, as these two conditions often go hand-in-hand.

6) How do you cure sinusitis?

Prescribing medication is usually the first step in treating Sinusitis. In some cases however, medicine may alleviate, but not completely eliminate symptoms. For example, structural issues such as a deviated septum can block the sinus passages and cause inflammation. Unfortunately, medicine cannot correct anatomical problems, and these cases often require surgery.