Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks.
Thick, discolored discharge from the nose (runny nose) Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage) Blocked or stuffy (congested) nose causing difficulty breathing through your nose. Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.
Normally, the drainage harmlessly passes down your throat and into your stomach. Sometimes, when the drainage is thicker or excessive, it can cause irritation in your throat, coughing, and discomfort. Many people fear the drainage could end up in your lungs.
An “acute” sinus infection lasts anywhere from ten days up to eight weeks. A “chronic” infection lasts even longer. It is ongoing — it may seem like it's improving, and then it comes right back as bad as it was at first. Chronic sinus infections may drag on for months at a time.
Drinking extra fluids helps thin your mucus. This lets it drain from your sinuses more easily. Have a glass of water every hour or 2. A humidifier helps in much the same way.
After dealing with a blocked nose during a bout of cold or flu, it is not uncommon for a runny nose to emerge soon after. The good news is that this is a positive sign, though – it is just your body's way of getting rid of any bacteria.
Use a humidifier or vaporizer. Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water. Drink lots of fluids. This will thin out your mucus, which could help prevent blocked sinuses.
Overview. Nasal drainage, or more commonly known as a runny nose, happens to everyone. It results from excess nasal mucus production and often leads to discharge from the nostrils that can range from a clear fluid to thick mucus.
Rinsing out your sinuses and nasal passages offers relief for symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, cold and flu. In one study, patients with chronic sinus issues performed a daily nasal rinse and saw an improvement in symptom severity of more than 60%.
Balloon sinuplasty allows the surgeon to dilate a blocked sinus, creating open space, which allows the sinus to drain normally. The surgeon uses a flexible endoscope with a light to guide the insertion of a thin wire. The wire is then moved through the nasal passages toward the opening of the blocked sinus.
About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
Vitamins and minerals — Colorful fruits and vegetables — like apricots, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green peppers, kale, parsley and broccoli — get high praise from the scientists working on sinus healers world-wide. They contain lots of vitamin C which is known to fend off colds, allergies and sinus infections.
Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids; using a humidifier; avoiding cold, dry air; taking plenty of steamy showers; and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
Instead, your doctor looks largely at symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days.
Clear, watery mucus is usually a sign of a cold. A sinus will often cause mucus to become thick and green or yellow in color. If you experience nasal discharge that is colored and have a difficult time blowing your nose, you may have a sinus infection.
Viral sinus infections are usually the worst 3 to 6 days after they start, and then begin to get better by day 10. A viral sinus infection can develop into a bacterial infection, which typically lasts longer than 10 days.
With acute sinusitis, it might be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might have throbbing facial pain or a headache.
Most people with sinusitis will feel better within two or three weeks and can look after themselves at home. You can help relieve your symptoms by: taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.