Sinusitis: 10 Ways to Clear Up A Sinus Infection

Sinusitis: 10 Ways to Clear Up A Sinus Infection - MalaysiaAcute Conditions

Sinusitis: 10 Ways to Clear Up A Sinus Infection

Sinusitis, or more accurately known as rhinosinusitis, is one of the most recurring problems worldwide. In Malaysia specifically, sinusitis prevalence accounts for about 12.8% of the population. Here are the 10 ways you can clear up a sinus infection.

If you have been struggling with a stuffy nose, facial pain, and headaches behind your eyes thinking it was just a cold, chances are that you may have contracted the infamous condition calledsinusitis. Sinusitis, or more accurately known as rhinosinusitis, is one of the most recurring problems worldwide. In Malaysia specifically, sinusitis prevalence accounts for about 12.8% of the population, which translates to almost 3 million people suffering from the condition on a daily basis.

Fortunately, there are many ways to clear up a sinus infection, but first, let us take a brief look at what the condition is in the first place to understand it properly.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis or sinus infection happens when the interior area around your nose and eyes (paranasal sinuses) are inflamed or become swollen due to infection. Most people use the short term ‘sinus’ to describe this condition. In reality, everyone has sinuses because they actually refer to the empty air spaces or pockets surrounding the area inside your nose or nasal cavity that are connected to each other through narrow passages. They are located in 4 different sections:

  • In the bone of your lower forehead above the eyes (Frontal sinus)
  • Between your eyes specifically at the inside corners of the nose (Ethmoid sinus)
  • The biggest sinuses are behind your cheekbones (Maxillary sinus)
  • Behind your eyeballs (Sphenoid sinus)

Imagine a nasal cavity as a hallway and sinuses as 4 separate rooms. When you inhale through your nose and mouth, the air you breathe passes through your nasal cavity into these sinuses first, before flowing to your lungs. The sinuses produce a slimy fluid called mucus to keep the nasal passages moist and filter inhaled air by trapping any dust or particles from the environment. This mucus then exits when being swept by little hairs either through your nose, mouth or to the back of your throat to be swallowed (which you would barely notice).

How does sinusitis happen?

Healthy sinuses constantly have air flowing freely within and out of the nose. However, it can get blocked if there is too much mucus produced as a result of inflammation caused by fever or allergy reaction. As mucus contains antibodies, it is natural for the body to discharge more mucus to fight off bacteria. When the excessive amount of mucus from the sinuses is not able to be expelled due to blockage, it leaves the nasal passages to be too wet which is the most suitable state for bacteria or other pathogens to grow—leading to sinusitis.

Types of Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be triggered either by a virus or bacteria infection. As the two share very similar symptoms and are therefore hard to differentiate, healthcare providers would determine the type of sinusitis based on the duration they last.

Acute sinusitis

If the symptoms are caused by a virus usually from a common cold or allergies, acute sinusitis only lasts for a short period of time as it tends to disappear after 1 or 2 weeks, with the help of simple over-the-counter medications like antibiotics, natural remedies and taking care at home.

However, if your symptoms continue up until a maximum of 3 weeks or worsen even longer, chances are your viral infection is developing a secondary infection caused by the bacteria growing from the excessive mucus. Bacterial infection requires immediate medical examination as it can potentially lead to chronic sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis

Chronic refers to the severity of symptoms that extend for more than 3 months and also, whether it occurs repeatedly long term. Apart from bacterial infection, this type of sinusitis can be due to seasonal or pollen allergies—an allergic reaction to the outdoor environment at a certain period of time in a year particularly during the spring season.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Sinusitis often displays symptoms similar to a common cold like fever, stuffy and runny nose, as well as the feeling of tiredness. However, the main conditions that demand extra attention include:

  • Loss of sense of smell and taste due to a congested nose.
  • Mucus building up in the throat or dripping down from your nose (postnasal drip).
  • Sore or irritated throat due to excessive mucus.
  • Coughing that worsens when lying down, upon waking up and at night.
  • Thick mucus discharge often appears green or yellow.
  • Bad breath
  • Feeling of pressure or pain on the nose and eyes area due to inflammation in your sinuses.
  • Headachesare caused by facial pressure and pain.

Because sinusitis can be mistaken for the common cold or allergic reactions due to related symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice from your healthcare provider if the signs are not improving and interfere with how you function in daily life.

Risk Factors of Sinusitis

We have known the main reasons for sinusitis to be inflammation of the sinuses and infection. Leading to that point are several factors that increase your chances of contracting sinusitis. These are known as risk factors, and the more factors you have, the greater you are prone to developing this condition. Some of them are avoidable, such as those related to lifestyle, while others are unavoidable, such as health-related factors. Either way, do consult your doctor for advice. Below are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of contracting sinusitis:

  • Common cold
  • Allergies
  • Structural problems like deviated septum and narrow nasal airways
  • Smoking and secondhand smoking
  • Asthma
  • Weak immune system
  • Exposure to pollutants and dusty environment

Diagnosing Sinusitis

Your healthcare provider will ask questions regarding your symptoms first and foremost, especially the duration of having them. They usually would diagnose acute sinusitis based on obvious common symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and infection. It typically involves physical examination like checking your nose and ears with a small torchlight and feeling the areas surrounding your nose and eyes to check for any pain or discomfort. If the specialist still feels uncertain, they might look deeper into your nose and sinuses for blockages through nasal endoscopy.

For chronic sinusitis, you might be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to determine if there is a need for sample tests and more procedures for gathering additional details for proper diagnosis such as:

Endoscopy

Nasal endoscopy is a medical procedure where a slim lighted tube with a viewing lens is inserted through your nose into your nasal passages. The viewing lens allows the specialist to visually capture or record the exam from the computer screen for better results. Endoscopy is conducted to check the inside of your nose and sinuses for any blockages, tumours, inflammation, and unusual nasal structure. During this process, the specialist might also do a swab test into your nose similarly done for the COVID-19 test for the purpose of getting a tissue sample or culture.

Imaging tests

If your specialists decide that nasal endoscopy is not sufficient to detect deeper complications particularly how wide the spread of infection is, they might proceed with X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scans to examine your nasal passages and sinuses more clearly.

Allergy testing

This test is conducted when the specialist suspects the cause of your sinusitis as a result of allergies. It is often conducted by putting a small amount of suspected substance that causes allergies (allergen) onto your forearm or your upper back, which is then pricked with a needle on the same spot. If there is a sign of redness or itchiness after about 15 minutes, it confirms that you are indeed allergic to the injected allergen.

Blood tests

When there is an inflammation happening, an increased level of protein will be released into your bloodstream. Blood tests can help in determining whether there is a presence of inflammation in your body by checking the level of protein.

Ways to Clear Up Sinus Infection

Sinusitis can be really uncomfortable for days as it involves your system of breathing (respiratory) which is vital in your day-to-day life. It is also dangerous for your health as it may lead to grave illnesses likenasal cancer. Once it is compromised, you would want to find ways to reduce the symptoms before it gets more severe, be it through medical treatments or natural remedies that can easily be practised at home.

Medications

Antibioticsonly work for sinusitis caused by bacterial infection and is not helpful against infection caused by viruses. It should be consumed according to the prescription given by the healthcare provider as unnecessary intake of antibiotics can result in higher tolerance, leading you to need greater doses.

Saline nasal spray or dropscontaining saltwater solution (saline) helps to reduce blockage in the nose by rinsing off the germs, thus keeping the thick mucus thinner and giving it the ability to move due to its watery nature.

Decongestantsare great at reducing swelling by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal pathways. When swelling gets deflated, it clears off the congestion. You may find them at pharmacies in the form of sprays and tablets. Some examples of decongestants are pseudoephedrine (brand Sudafed) and phenylephrine (brand Sudafed PE). It is important to note that decongestants should be taken only when necessary and not for more than 3 days as it may cause further congestion known as rebound congestion. As decongestants are not suitable for all, do seek medical advice from pharmacists beforehand.

Antihistaminesis a medication for nasal allergies usually combined with decongestants to simultaneously clear up blockages. However, health professionals often advise against the use of antihistamines unless needed because it may cause a side effect of too much drying in the nasal passages.

Nasal corticosteroid sprayslike mometasone (brand Nasonex) and fluticasone (brand Flonase) function similarly to decongestants but it is typically recommended if you have allergies. In comparison, nasal steroids are less drying than antihistamines and can be used for longer periods than decongestants.

Pain relieverscan act as a short-term relief for facial pains, as well as headaches. Common examples are acetaminophen (brand Tylenol) and ibuprofen (brand Advil).

Nasal irrigation

Rinsing your nasal passageways through the use of nasal irrigation devices can significantly help in fighting sinus infections. It helps clear out the dust, pollen, or other debris, as well as loosen the thick mucus. The process is pretty simple and easy to do at home; however, you have to be thoroughly careful as any wrong step may make it worse.

You will need 3 things: distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water; a saline solution (salt water); and a nasal irrigation device (neti pot, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles). It is important to use sterile water to get rid of any bacteria, as they will risk giving rise to potentially serious infections, which may even be fatal in some cases.

After filling the device with the saline solution, lean sideways on a sink at about a 45-degree angle so that one nostril is facing the sink. Next, while breathing through your mouth, insert the device gently into your upper nostril (not all the way in) so that the liquid flows through your nasal passage, and drains to the lower nostril and out of your nose. Blow your nose gently to clear out any residues, and then repeat for the other nostril.

Warm compress

Gently applying a warm compress on the area of your eyes and nose can serve as a soothing relief to the facial pain.

Use humidifier

Set up your humidifier particularly at night to keep the surrounding air moistened, as dried mucus due to dry air can cause irritation in your sinuses and nasal airways which may worsen your infection. Make sure to wash your humidifier after every usage to get rid of dust or mould.

Inhale steam

Letting your nose and sinuses be exposed to steam can retain moisture within. Try taking hot showers to soak in all the steam while bathing. You may also lean a few inches over a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes, with a towel covering both your head and the bowl to trap the steam so that it directly evaporates to your face. Or you can just inhale the steam from your morning cup of hot tea!

Drink lots of water

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and get rid of the infection by urinating frequently. Avoid beverages that can cause dehydration such as alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Plain water is the best way to go.

Keep your head elevated when sleeping

Bad sleeping posture can make your nose more congested than it already is. This is because sleeping flatly while facing upwards will gather extra mucus as it tends to stay in the same spot or might even travel deeper to the back of your sinuses. Raising your head by placing a pillow underneath will allow you to breathe better.

Surgery for a deviated septum

A deviated septum is developed when the thin wall of bone that separates your nose into two nostrils (septum) is severely displaced to one side or slightly crooked. Some people are born that way but injuries are the usual factor. This can lead to difficulty in breathing, nasal congestion, frequent nose bleeds, as well as frequent sinus infections. A go-to solution for a deviated septum is to have a minor surgery called aseptoplasty, where the septum is corrected and repositioned to the centre of the nose.

Level up your vitamin C intake

Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant that is known to be beneficial in boosting and strengthening the immune system, thus helping to fight off sinus infections faster and reducing inflammation. Natural vitamin C can be found aplenty in citruses, berries, potatoes, and tomatoes, among others. It can also be taken as an oral supplement in the form of capsules or chewable tablets; however, the benefits might not be the same as getting Vitamin C naturally from food.

Take a good rest

All ways of treatments would be less effective if you push yourself too hard. Having a sinus infection can take up a lot of your energy when you constantly experience pain throughout the day andtrouble sleeping at night. Resting not only gives time for your infection to heal faster, it also helps to reduce your allergic reactions when you stay indoors for most of the day.

How to prevent sinus infection

Oftentimes, it is not known whether the sinusitis is caused by a virus or bacteria. If it is the former, you may be contagious and can spread the virus; however, it will not necessarily spread the condition itself and may manifest as just a common cold in other people. Sinusitis caused by bacteria, on the other hand, is not contagious.

Sinusitis can be prevented by introducing a few changes in our lifestyle, which generally also apply to preventing any other minor conditions. It is always better to be safe than sorry later. These are a few preventative measures that you can observe:

  • During baths, tryrinsing your noseby blowing on one side of your nostril with another side being gently pressed. This way creates pressure to push out the excess mucus out of the nose and kick out infection in the nasal passages.
  • Do not smokeor stop smoking if you already are a smoker. The substances in cigarettes like nicotine are not safe for your health, especially your respiratory system, besides producing more mucus. A study also reported that secondhand smoking can also be a contributing factor.
  • Avoid dry and dusty environmentsas they can irritate your nose and give rise to more mucus. When the air is dry, it is not able to keep your thick mucus from moving smoothly out of the sinuses into the nose, while dusty air brings more germs and foreign particles that may cause new allergies as proven inresearch.
  • Practise good hygiene by making it a habit towash your hands frequentlyin order to reduce the possibility of getting an infection or spreading it to others.
  • Minimise dust from accumulating at home.Keep a regular cleaning routineby vacuuming items that trap dust easily like carpets and sofas, mopping the floors, wiping the windows and countertops, washing the bedsheets weekly, as well as using air filters. Having pets is considered a bad idea if you have allergies.
  • One of the risk factors of sinusitis is a weak immune system. Therefore, you shouldmaintain a healthy and balanced dietto keep your body nourished with sufficient nutrients needed to fight off infection.
  • Do not rub your nose aggressivelyas it can cause damage to your septum or the internal structure of your nose, which increases the chance of creating a physical blockage to your breathing system.

Sinusitis or COVID-19?

With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the world and still lingering in the air of our surroundings, it has sparked concern on the similarities between the symptoms of COVID and of sinusitis—for example, fever, coughing, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste.

However, there are certainly some key differences between the two.

While sinusitis causes discomfort mainly around your face and nasal passages, COVID-19 symptoms can extend to the lower part of your body. Here are the crucial signs for COVID-19 symptoms that differ from sinusitis:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Body aches or muscle pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Thick mucus discharge is not the main symptom.

If you have doubts and confusion about whether your symptoms are implying sinusitis or Covid-19, do not hesitate to refer to your healthcare provider rather than making assumptions. You may also undergoswab testsat the nearest hospitals and health facilities that offer walk-in or drive-through services. For further details, check out our very ownarchivesregarding everything you need to know about current updates on Covid-19.

Fill up the form below for a free consultation with our Care Advisory team.

References

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Kessler, F. (2021, April 5).12.8 per cent of Malaysians suffer from sinusitis at any given time. New Straits Times.https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/heal/2021/04/679673/128-cent-malaysians-suffer-sinusitis-any-given-time

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