What is Sinusitis?  

Each year, sinusitis affects more than 30 million adults in the United States. 1 out of 7 adults will experience uncomfortable sinus symptoms, especially during the fall and spring. 

It’s a common misconception that the nose and throat are the only passages that deliver air to the lungs, however, the sinuses also play an important role. Your sinuses are small, open cavities located on the sides of your nose. When they become inflamed, you can experience sinusitis. If you show the symptoms we describe below, Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center can help. 

What is Sinusitis? 

Sinusitis occurs when the tissues lining the sinuses become inflamed or swollen. Your sinuses are hollow spaces within the bones between your eyes, cheekbones, and in your forehead. They produce mucus, which help keep the inside of your nose moist and help protect you against dust, allergens, and pollutants. WebMD explains that healthy sinuses are filled with air, but when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection. 

Causes of Sinusitis 

Causes for inflamed sinuses can range from minor to severe health issues. Common reasons a person might experience sinusitis include: 

• 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 deviated septum. 
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Polyps, tumors, and ulcerations in the mucosa. 
• Fungal infections due to long-term mold exposure. 

Symptoms 

Some people suffer from inflammation of the sinuses for months to years without noticing the issue. Minor swelling sometimes produces no irritation or symptoms, however, in more advanced cases, there are noticeable symptoms like: 

• Difficulty breathing or feeling stuffiness in your nose or face. 
• Swelling around the nose and lower forehead.
• Chronic pain or mild headaches with pain in the face around the eyes. 
• Throbbing and burning sensations in the sinuses.
• Yellow or green discharge out of the nostrils or down the throat.
• Sensitivity to pressure around the sides of the nose.
• Coughing is worse at night. 

Sinusitis Complications 

For many patents, chronic sinusitis can be relieved just by making lifestyle changes and reducing the number of irritants they’re exposed to each day. However, if you begin to notice symptoms of sinusitis but don’t seek treatment or relief, you could be putting yourself at risk for serious health complications. If left untreated, you could risk the infection spreading to your eyes or brain. 

Eye Issues 

Cleveland Clinic explains that eye complications with chronic untreated sinusitis are more common than brain issues. It can cause redness, swelling, and reduced vision. In severe cases, a person’s vision could be lost altogether. 

Brain Issues 

The other risk of untreated sinus inflammation is the infection spreading to the brain. This can lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis or brain abscess, Cleveland Clinic explains. 

Treatment Options 

When chronic sinusitis is linked to allergies or asthma, it can often be treated at home using nasal irrigation pots or saline sprays. However, a lot of times medical intervention is needed to knock chronic sinusitis out for good. At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, we offer treatment options for your swollen sinuses such as: 

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

We believe that you don’t have to live with constant sinus pain and irritation. We can help treat and relieve your sinusitis regardless of the cause, but only once we find the true cause of the problem. Make an appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center if your sinus symptoms have lasted longer than a week, or if you begin to experience worrying symptoms like burning and discharge. 

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you are suffering with sinus issues, our team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center is ready to help you. Conveniently located in Austin, Texas, we can provide you with customized treatment plans for sinusitis and help you understand what the cause of your symptoms is. At your first appointment, we will learn about your medical history and determine if any of that could be the cause. From there, we will alert you to things you can do at home to improve your symptoms while we begin to conduct testing to determine the exact reason for your pain. Schedule your appointment today!