All About Sinus Infection And Help Resource

Hello World,

This is my first blog about a condition called Sinus Infection. I did not realise initially that I have such a problem because it was not serious enough for me to notice it. As early as 1995, I started feeling groggy on waking up in the morning. This went on for months and I decided to see a General Practioner regarding this problem. A blood test was done which did not show anything unusual except for an abnormal reading on the ESR test. The doctor in attendance told me it could be just stress owing to lack of sleep and told me to adopt a less stressful lifestyle. It was comforting to know that I am not suffering from any serious health problems such as Cancer. But still, I was not convinced and went to an Opthalmologist to check if my eyes were alright. Numerous tests were done and again. I was given a clean bill of health. Even though the problem persisted for the next 12 years, I lived with this debilitating condition.

This year 2007, I fell ill in January. I had fever, cough and sore throat and the doctor prescribed the usual course of antibiotics to treat the illness. I recovered but the cough persists. Then in February, I was sick again with the same symptoms. Another course of antibiotics was prescribed. However in March, I was again sick with the same symptoms except that this time, both my ears were blocked. Now, I was getting worried and even though the doctor could not detect any problems with my lungs through a stethoscope, she was a little worried as my cough did not clear up for more than 2 months. I went for a chest X-Ray and the results were negative. So, she suggested that I see an ENT specialist.

The ENT specialist identified the problem as Sinus Infection and prescribed me a course of steroids to clear up the inflammation in the Nasal area. Within a week, the groggy feeling which I have been having for more than 10 years disappeared. I felt like a new person. My head and vision was clear and I don't feel the congestion in the facial area anymore!

I thought I was totally cleared of this Sinus Infection forever! But alas, it was not to be. The problem came back as soon as I was off the steroids. The ENT specialist suggested that I go through a procedure called "Ablation of the Turbinates". I have not done so because I need to find out more about such a procedure and if anyone has gone through this before. It seems that my turbinates are always enlarged and my nose is stuffed up as a result of that. I suspect that there is something I am allergic to, but I cannot pinpoint what it is as yet.

Currently, I am performing Nasal Irrigation to combat the effects of the Sinus Infection. This helps to a certain extent, but I have to do this a few times a day in order to feel better.

I hope to hear from all you Sinus Infection sufferers like myself and what you do to contain this ailment.

Thanks and warmest regards,

Dr Allergy