How to Fight Sinusitis 

If you find yourself feeling congested, have sinus pressure, or sinus headaches on a regular basis then it’s likely that you have sinusitis. Many patients assume that their nose and throat are the only passages that deliver air to the lungs, but the sinuses also play a crucial role. If you’re experiencing sinus pain this winter, read on to learn how Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center can help! 

Understanding the Sinuses 

Sinuses are a group of pools within the bones of your head, called paranasal spaces, and they function as resonance chambers to make your voice and laugh loud and clear. They also help humidify and filter air before it enters the lungs and provide structural support for facial features like the nose. You have four pairs of sinuses – two maxillary sinuses in your cheeks, two frontal sinuses above your eyebrows, and two ethmoidal sinuses between your eyes.

Most people don’t think about their sinuses until they get sick. Sinus infections are a common problem, and can be caused by a cold, allergies, or structural problems like a deviated septum.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of these spaces which can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, allergies, a deviated septum, or nasal polyps. When the sinuses become inflamed, they swell and shrink intermittently because of changes in pressure. This swelling can block the openings of your sinuses which prevents drainage. When this happens, bacteria and viruses that find their way into your nasal cavity have a much easier time multiplying and causing infections.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, sinusitis can come with a wide array of annoying symptoms that can affect how you live your day-to-day life. Mayo Clinic lists the symptoms to include:

• Nasal inflammation
• Thick, discolored discharge from the nose (runny nose)
• Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage)
• Blocked or stuffy nose (congestion) that results in difficulty breathing through the nose
• Pain, tenderness, and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Ear pain
• Headaches
• Aching in the upper jaw and teeth
• Cough or the need to clear the throat
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Fatigue

While these are the most common symptoms of sinusitis, they are also common symptoms of a number of other health problems, which is why it’s important to seek help from a doctor when you begin experiencing symptoms.

Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting sinus inflammation (swelling) and infection. It can linger over a period of time, typically longer than 12 weeks. The sinuses are four paired cavities (spaces) in the head. These spaces are connected by narrow channels. Cleveland Clinic explains that chronic sinusitis is different from recurrent sinusitis because chronic symptoms don’t ever completely go away for long periods of time. Recurrent sinusitis occurs when you have 4 or more bouts with the problem within a year, but you also have symptom-free time periods in between. 

Causes 

Causes for sinusitis can range from mild to more serious health issues. If you think you have problems with your sinuses, investigate the problem sooner rather than later.  Doing this can help you catch a serious issue early for prompt treatment. The causes of your sinusitis could be one of the following:

• Infections ranging from an upper respiratory infection to the common cold
• Infected teeth or gum abscesses
• Allergies to environmental factors or pollen
• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Abnormalities of the sinuses such as a deviated septum
• Cystic fibrosis
• Polyps, tumors, and ulcerations in the mucosa
• Fungal infections due to long term mold exposure

Sinusitis Treatment Options in Austin

At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center in Austin, we provide a few different treatments for our patients who suffer from sinusitis. Our treatments for your sinus pain can include:

• Prescriptions for nasal sprays with corticosteroids to soothe the irritation
• Allergy testing to determine if your pets or hobbies are causing the issue
• Immune therapy to lower reactions to irritants you simply can’t avoid
• Massage to help your sinuses drain, which can help even if you just have a simple cold

Stop Sinus Pain with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center 

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of sinusitis, don’t hesitate to come in and see us at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center. Our highly qualified team can help you find relief from your sinus issues and get you back to your life. Don’t let the sniffles get you down! You don’t have to suffer any longer – call us today for an appointment (512)-806-0015.