Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may or may not be as a result of infection, from bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic or autoimmune issues. Newer classifications of sinusitis refer to it as rhinosinusitis, taking into account the thought that inflammation of the sinuses cannot occur without some inflammation of the nose as well.

Acute sinusitis is usually precipitated by an earlier upper respiratory tract infection, generally of viral origin. Virally damaged surface tissues are then colonized by bacteria, most commonly Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Other bacterial pathogens include other streptococci species, anaerobic bacteria and, less commonly, gram negative bacteria. Another possible cause of sinusitis can be dental problems that affect the maxillary sinus. Acute episodes of sinusitis can also result from fungal invasion. These infections are most often seen in patients with diabetes or other immune deficiencies and can be life threatening.

Chronic sinusitis is a complicated spectrum of diseases that share chronic inflammation of the sinuses in common. The causes are multifactorial and may include allergy, environmental factors such as dust or pollution, bacterial infection, and/or fungus. Non allergic factors such as Vasomotor rhinitis can also cause chronic sinus problems.

Therapeutic measures range from the medicinal to the traditional and may include nasal irrigation or jala neti using a warm saline solution, analgesics, hot drinks including tea and chicken soup, inhaling steam, over-the-counter decongestants and nasal sprays, and getting plenty of rest. If sinusitis doesn't improve within 48 hours, or is causing significant pain, one should see a doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics or nasal steroids. If the recommended doses and duration of antibiotic treatment are ineffective, one should reconsult a doctor; who may suggest further treatment by a specialist.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Sinusitis

• Sinusitis tips and tricks Sun, October 07, 2007 - [view]
  I ate 150 cloves of raw garlic in one month when I was doing a contest with a friend over a web cam to see who could eat the most garlic. It fixed a sinus infection I had had for 10 years that drugs weren't fixing. Obviously I didn't have to eat that many to do it. Less would do it. What it came down to, is that the sinus infection was caused by systemic candidiasis. Here's the candida spit test: get a clear glass, fill it with water. Spit on the top. Wait 7-10 minutes. It should float. If it sinks or develops strings, there is a candida overgrowth. Potatoes, wheat, rice, dairy, and sugar, make me get sinusitis.I found Olive Leaf extract drops also helpful for killing candidiasis/clearing my nose.Also, one morning I cut up ginger and garlic and put it with some cayenne in so...
• Vast Improvements Tue, October 02, 2007 - [view]
  I can hardly believe it, after three months:  I can breathe.I can breathe; I can think; I don't have headaches; my head doesn't feel like an over-filled balloon; I'm not waking up at 4am sneezing, wheezing, and sniffling.I do have the grouchies, and had a touch of insomnia the first couple of nights, from the Prednisone, but a little aromatherapy has gone a long way, and now I'm starting to taper down on the Prednisone as instructed, so that should help, too.There is a minor sense of obstruction, still in each nostril, which is probably the polyps, but it's not nearly -- not NEARLY-- as bad as it was, so I suspect they have shrunken as hoped.  Both passages are at least 80 percent clear 95 percent of the time, and it's an incredible feeling.For preventi...
• The Verdict Fri, September 28, 2007 - [view]
  Acute-on-chronic sinusitis and a bone spur on the right side of my septum, which I already knew, plus polyps.This all showed up on the CT scan, and then the specialist confirmed it by sticking a little camera up my nose and taking a closer look.He told me surgery is inevitable, but not urgent, for the polyps.  He can't do the surgery while I've got an infection, anyway, and he wants to see how I respond to medication, first.  He prescribed a nasal spray to use in addition to the pills I already take for my allergy symptoms and congestion, a new antibiotic for the infection, and steroids to try and shrink the polyps; it won't eliminate them, but should at least provide relief for a while.Thanks to those who responded with commiseration and suggestions to my last blo...
• Counting Down Tue, September 25, 2007 - [view]
  Sinuses are incredibly bad, this morning.  Were yesterday morning, too.  I'm very glad I see the specialist tomorrow morning.  I really hope to walk out of there with a good plan of action and means to/plans for quick relief.  Three months is just waaaay too long.  At this point, I'm even experiencing symptoms of poor oxygenation -- dizzy spells, excessive fatigue, poor concentration, memory lapses, irritability... Some of that just comes with the territory of a sinus infection, too, because of the pain and whatnot, but this goes beyond that.I have my films and report, I have my directions and my new patient paperwork, I have the hope that since I've been worse in the morning lately I'll be bad enough off tomorrow morning that s/he can really get...