Sinusitis

Testimonial

In the year 2000, after a serious illness, my recovery was very slow. I heard about The Amber Centre and Alma and decided to try the holistic approach. I am so glad I did. I had muscle, back and sinus problems but now I feel great! I go on a regular basis and I find talking to Alma a great help.

Thank you Alma.

Teresa Barry
Co. Westmeath

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may or may not be as a result of infection, from bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic or autoimmune issues. Newer classifications of sinusitis refer to it as rhinosinusitis, taking into account the thought that inflammation of the sinuses cannot occur without some inflammation of the nose as well (rhinitis).

Causes

Acute sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is usually precipitated by an earlier upper respiratory tract infection, generally of viral origin. Virally damaged surface tissues are then colonized by bacteria, most commonly Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Other bacterial pathogens include other Staphylococcus aureus and other streptococci species, anaerobic bacteria and, less commonly, gram negative bacteria. Viral sinusitis typically lasts for 7 to 10 days, whereas bacterial sinusitis is more persistent. Approximately 0.5% to 2% of viral sinusitis extends into bacterial sinusitis. One hypothesis postulates that the bacterial infection begins with nose blowing.

Chronic sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a complicated spectrum of diseases that share chronic inflammation of the sinuses in common. It is divided into cases with polyps and cases without, and the former is sometimes called chronic hyperplastic sinusitis. The causes may include allergy, environmental factors such as dust or pollution, bacterial infection, or fungus. Non allergic factors such as vasomotor rhinitis can also cause chronic sinus problems. Abnormally narrow sinus passages, which can impede drainage from the sinus cavities could also be a factor. A combination of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria are observed, including Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci.

Symptoms

Symptoms include: nasal congestion; facial pain; headache; fever; general malaise; thick green or yellow discharge; vertigo or lightheadedness; blurred vision, feeling of facial 'fullness' or 'tightness' which worsens on bending over; aching teeth, and halitosis; and occasionally diarrhea with a mucus-like substance in it. Very rarely, chronic sinusitis can lead to Anosmia, the inability to smell or detect odors. In a small number of cases, chronic maxillary sinusitis can also be brought on by the spreading of bacteria from a dental infection.

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