Mucus in the sinuses often drains into the nasal passages. When you have a sinus infection, those passages can't drain correctly because of inflammation. If your provider finds that the infection is bacterial, you may need to take an antibiotic to treat it. Not all nasal problems are caused by allergy and infection. You can be born with a deviated septum. Or you can develop one from a broken nose. In both cases, the deviated septum can make it can be hard to breathe through your nose.
Sometimes surgery is needed. When a healthcare provider looks inside your nose, he or she may notice a nasal polyp. This is a growth on the mucous membrane. Sometimes these polyps must be removed. Some people with polyps have asthma.
Mucus lines and lubricates the walls of your nasal passages. The pair work together to help filter incoming dust, bacteria, and other debris through the nasal passages and deposits it into the back of the throat to be swallowed. This wall of bone and cartilage is called your septum.
The septum acts as the divider between your left and right nostril and runs down the middle of your nose…sometimes. Also buried inside of your nose are your turbinates. Your turbinates are shell-shaped structures made of thin bone covered in a squishy mucous membrane. They regulate the moisture and filter the air that moves in and out of the nasal passages.
There are three levels of turbinates that get smaller as you move up the nasal passage. The turbinate closest to the nostril opening is the inferior turbinate which, ironically, is the biggest of the turbinates. A common cause of nasal pain is a disturbance in your turbinates.
When colds, allergies, and infections attack your nasal passages, they target your turbinates. This thickening can occur due to many factors which are discussed later. The mucous also can thicken and be difficult to clear from our nose and throat creating symptoms and feelings such as "post nasal drip," clearing of the throat and cough.
Such are some of the symptoms of Sinusitis. Joseph B. Jacobs has been providing surgical and non-surgical care for the ears, nose, and throat for more than 30 years. He is board-certified and affiliated with several leading organizations in the field, including:. If sinus issues are impacting your health or comfort, reach out to us today.
Schedule an appointment online or call our office in New York at Some images are of models, not actual patients. Sitemap Privacy Policy Login. The draining mucus helps keep your nose moist and it filters out dust and bacteria. The sinuses also: give your voice resonance as the air vibrates help protect your face in case of trauma insulate against rapid temperature changes in the nose provide an immunological defense. The most common sinus problem.
Your sinuses can become infected by bacteria, a virus, or both. Infections of the maxillary sinuses are most common. Diagram of sinus infection.
Symptoms of sinusitis Symptoms of a sinus infection are similar to those of a cold: Depending on which sinuses are infected, you may feel pain or pressure in your forehead, cheeks, ears, or teeth. You may have thick, sticky mucus coming from your nose. Your mucus may be cloudy, or have a greenish-yellow color. Mucus may drip down the back of your throat postnasal drip , giving you a sore throat and cough.
Your nose may be stuffed , restricting your breathing. Your face may feel tender, especially around the eyes. Other symptoms include: hoarseness fever fatigue bad breath decreased sense of smell and taste. Chronic sinus infections. Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions. Factors involved with chronic sinusitis include: viral or bacterial infections fungal infections hay fever or allergies to dust mites, molds, and so on frequent exposure to cigarette smoke or other airborne pollutants nasal polyps , a deviated septum, or a damaged nasal structure medical conditions such as asthma , HIV , or cystic fibrosis aspirin sensitivity respiratory tract infections.
What you can do if you have sinusitis. Acute sinusitis care tips Try moist heat or steam. Inhale for about 2 minutes. Create an enclosed space for the moist, warm air to collect by draping a towel over your head as you lean over the bowl.
Other tips to manage symptoms: Take over-the-counter OTC pain medication to ease headaches. Try OTC drugs such as guaifenesin Mucinex that thins your mucus, which can help to pass the mucus and lessen congestion. Some OTC drugs may thicken your mucus and make it harder to drain.
These include: diphenhydramine Benadryl loratadine Claritin cetirizine Zyrtec Talk with a doctor about corticosteroids. Keeping sinuses healthy. You can take some steps to help keep your sinuses healthy and avoid sinusitis: Keep your hands clean.
0コメント