People quite commonly talk about having “sinus trouble” or a “sinus infection.” But when asked what the sinus is, they point vaguely behind the nose and say, “It’s something back there.” Actually the word sinus simply means a pocket or hollow. There are sinus cavities in the kidney (renal sinus), behind the ear (mastoid), in the heart (aortic) and around the nose (paranasal sinuses). However, the term sinus in popular conversation almost always means the paranasal sinuses. When these sinuses becomes infected, they can become quite painful and interfere with normal” drainage of the nasal cavities.
It is not very certain whats the function of this paranasal sinus is, other than having some relation to this drainage or the resonances of sounds in speaking and singing. There are 2 basic types of sinus infection (sinusitis) – acute and chronic. Acute refers to the sudden, severe, short-term type of infection. Chronic means the kind that progresses slowly over a long period of time. Acute sinusitis usually follows an infection in the upper respiratory passages or teeth or a nasal allergy.
There is congestion and pus-like discharges from the nose, and the affected sinuses look cloudy either on X ray or when a strong light is shone through them (trans-illumination). Drainage is often blocked by swollen tissues. Headache, fever, chills, and a general ill feeling also occur. There may be pain in the teeth, swelling near the eyes or pain, tenderness, redness or swelling near the involved sinus, or a wide variety of symptoms including dizziness or a cough. Usually more than one sinus cavity is involved in an infection.
The symptoms of chronic sinusitis are very similar, except that pain in the area of the sinuses is not common. Chronic persistent sinusitis is often complication which follows acute sinusitis. Often, sinus attacks occur whenever the patient comes in contact with the specific substance to which he is allergic. Sinusitis can also appear in some patients after swimming or diving. In either acute or chronic sinusitis, the treatment must include reopening drainage by shrinking the swollen sinus tissues with decongestant medication and treating the basic infection with systemic antibiotics.
Nasal suction, “steam or heat packs can be used to aid the drainage. General measures should also include bed rest, a light diet and plenty of fluids. Painkillers or sedatives may be prescribed by the doctor. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to reopen drainage or repair damaged sinus and nasal tissues and passages. If you seem prone to sinus problems, the best protection is to avoid catching colds or other nose and throat infections by following good general health measures, and by identifying and avoiding anything you may be allergic to.