Allergies and Sinusitis

Here is an interesting article from Salem News regarding Allergies and Sinusitis. Excerpts of the article are reproduced below for readers' convenience.

[ "Many people confuse seasonal allergies with sinus infections," explained Otolaryngologist Wayland Wong, M.D. "Both allergy and sinus sufferers may experience a stuffy, painful nose, which is often accompanied by sneezing, coughing or cold-like symptoms. However there are some important differences that need to be addressed for prevention and appropriate treatment."

Allergies

"Allergies are the body's reaction to allergens in the surrounding environment," Dr. Wong added. "These allergens may include dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and food. People may be allergic to one or more of these items, so determining the cause of an allergic reaction can be difficult.

"When people are exposed to an allergen to which they are sensitive, their bodies produce histamines, which are chemicals that cause the lining of the nose, sinuses and the eyes to become inflamed as the body attempts to fight off the allergen. When this happens, the person begins sneezing and wheezing, and his or her eyes may start watering and itching. These symptoms last as long as the person is exposed to the allergen.

"Allergic rhinitis is the body's immune system's reaction when it comes into contact with certain allergens, such as pollen or mold," Dr. Wong continued. "When people with allergies inhale these substances, an allergic antibody named IgE, treats them like dangerous invaders. This triggers the release of histamines and other chemicals, which cause the allergic responses of sneezing, dripping nose, congestion or itchiness.

"An allergy sufferer's symptoms can range from mild to severe and include nasal congestion and increased drainage, which can produce complications such as sinus headaches, sinus infections, sore throat and fatigue. Other symptoms can include a loss of sleep due to continued nasal congestion."

Sinusitis

"A sinus infection is frequently the result of the common cold, with symptoms that are very similar to allergic rhinitis," Dr. Wong advised. "During a sinus infection, the mucous membranes lining the nose become inflamed by a virus or bacteria. Eventually the mucous membranes in the frontal and maxillary sinuses, which are located in the forehead and cheekbones, also become inflamed, creating a greenish discharge.

"Pain in the forehead above the inner half of the eyebrows, or in the cheeks near the bridge of the nose, is more consistent with sinusitis than allergies. As the nose and sinus cavities become filled with this discharge, pressure builds and the person may feel pain behind the eyebrows or in the cheeks. His or her nose will become stuffy. Other symptoms include drainage down the back of the throat, sneezing, coughing, swelling in the face, tiredness and fever, which is another distinguishing sign of sinusitis."

There are two types of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis is caused by a viral or bacterial pathogen entering the sinus and causing an immune response. Chronic sinusitis, which is sinusitis lasting more than twelve weeks, can be due to an infection or to a structural blockage of the sinus outlet by something in the nose, such as a polyp or a deviated septum.

Treatment

Allergies can often be treated with a variety of over-the-counter medicines. "Antihistamines are used to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and other allergies," Dr. Wong said. "They work by blocking the action of histamine, which is produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Decongestants are used to treat nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with colds and allergies. They work by narrowing the blood vessels, leading to the clearing of nasal congestion. Prescription nasal sprays and other medications are also available."

Sinus infection symptoms may also be relieved with over-the-counter decongestants, or through other remedies such as inhaling steam (e.g., in a hot shower) or through the use of a neti-pot or a saline nasal spray to bring relief.

"Without treatment, the sinuses usually clear after about a week," Dr. Wong continued. "However, the main complication occurs when bacteria multiply within the blocked sinus, causing a sinus infection. This leads to fever and increased pain. Sometimes the overlying skin around the eyes or cheeks becomes red or swollen. This type of bacterial sinus infection needs antibiotics for effective treatment. "In cases of either chronic sinusitis or recurring episodes of sinusitis, surgery may be needed," Dr. Wong concluded. "An innovative approach for treating sinusitis is balloon sinuplasty technology, which uses minimally invasive sinus catheters to position a tiny balloon into the patient's blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, which facilitates normal sinus drainage."]

More related articles on Sinus infection:

1. Sinus Relief

2.Chronic Nasal Congestion

3. Sinus and Sinusitis

A sinus infection or just a common cold?

Sinus infections usually go untreated until it becomes acute. This is because many people cannot distinguish sinus infection symptoms from those of a common cold.

A recent article provides some insight into this issue. Excerpts are as follows:

[The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have three to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?

Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days.]

[What is the treatment for the common cold?

There is no cure for the common cold. Home treatment is directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold and allowing this self-limiting illness to run its course.

Supportive measures for the common cold include rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may also help bring relief. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms. Saline sprays and a humidifier may also be beneficial.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil and others) can help with fever, sore throat, and body aches.]

[Are antibiotics a suitable treatment for the common cold?

No. Antibiotics play no role in treating the common cold. Antibiotics are effective only against illnesses caused by bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses. Not only do antibiotics not help, but they can also cause allergic reactions that can be fatal (1:40,000). Furthermore, using antibiotics when they are not necessary has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics (including one that commonly causes ear infections in children). For these and other reasons, it is important to limit the use of antibiotics to situations in which they are medically indicated.

Though occasionally a bacterial infection, such as sinusitis or a middle ear infection, can develop following a cold, treatment with antibiotics should be left at the discretion of your physician or health-care practitioner.

When should a doctor or other health-care practitioner be consulted?

Generally speaking, the common cold can be treated at home and managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if you develop more severe symptoms such as shaking chills, high fever (greater than 102 F), severe headache or neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing or chest pain, you should consult your physician or health-care practitioner immediately.

If you have a sore throat and a fever with no other cold symptoms, you should also be seen by your physician. This illness may be strep throat, a bacterial infection requiring treatment with antibiotics.

Finally, if you notice facial pain or yellow/green drainage from your nose accompanied by a fever, it is possible that you have a sinus infection (sinusitis) that would benefit from a medical evaluation and a possible course of antibiotics.]

Some of the sinus infection symptoms that is largely different from the common cold include sinus headache, pain in the upper molars due to a maxillary sinus infection, sinus infection dizziness and sinus pain in the areas of the infected sinus.

Perhaps the symptom that causes the most pain is a sinus headache and many people are searching for effective sinus headache remedies instead of resorting to drugs.

Are you coughing and sneezing? It may be allergies

For many of you who are suffering from sinus infection or chronic nasal congestion, Dr. Rima Sanka of Advanced Allergy and Asthma Care in Pinellas Park says this season seems to be more severe.

In a recent news article, the Pinellas Park allergist says the climate and environment help dictate the allergy season. She says a colder than usual winter is partly to blame for more cases of allergy sufferers.

With symptoms like scratchy throat, sneezing and congestion, patients often confuse allergies with the common cold.

Dr. Sanka says, "People who suffer from allergies often have chronic recurring infections, like sinus infection, bronchitis infections, which can be more frequent and more severe."

And left untreated, experts say allergies can turn into asthma. "The most common type of asthma is allergic asthma. Allergies gone untreated, there's shortness of breath, chronic cough, night time cough, difficulty in breathing or wheezing," describes Dr. Sanka.

She says at the very least, allergies impact the quality of your daily life, from making you feel tired, to impacting your sleep, work performance and attention.

For more information on sinusitis or home remedy for sinus infection, go to the Sinus Infection Help.