NURS 6512 Week 5 : Acute Sinusitis Essay
The sinuses are tiny bags of air positioned at the back of a person’s forehead, eyes, cheekbones, and nose. Sinus infections are relatively harmless if detected and treated in time. This paper is a patient education material on sinus infections, their symptoms and treatment as well as the risk posed by not treating sinus infections in time.NURS 6512 Week 5 : Acute Sinusitis Essay
Forms of Sinus Infections
Acute sinusitis is the form of sinus infection caused by a virus and lasts approximately one or two weeks (Brook, 2007). A sub-acute sinusitis is caused by bacteria or seasonal allergies and can persist for around three months. Chronic sinusitis persists for over three months and is often caused by incessant allergies or problems with the structure of the nose.NURS 6512 Week 5 : Acute Sinusitis Essay
Symptoms of Sinusitis
The indications of a sinus infection look like the symptoms of common colds (Thaler & Kennedy, 2009). These signs include nasal discharge, headache, fever, persistent cough, congestion of the nasal cavity, fatigue, foul breath, and facial pain. Frontal sinusitis produces pain in the forehead can result in osteomyelitis if left untreated. The pain in the cheekbone and upper teeth is due to maximal sinusitis.
Treatment for Sinus Infections
The headache and pain on the forehead and upper teeth can be remedied by taking pain relieving drugs such as ibuprofen. If the symptoms persist for more than one week, a healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics since the infection probably is bacterial. A patient with facial pain probably has bacterial sinusitis and should take antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. The patient must finish the dosage to prevent re-infection and is advised to visit the doctor for an extra check-up.
The Danger of Untreated Sinusitis
If undiagnosed or untreated for a protracted period, sinusitis can cause other serious problems such as abscesses (puss) in the nasal cavity and meningitis (Josephson, 2006). It can also result in orbital cellulitis, an illness of the aural that causes intense discomfort in the ear and can lead to swelling of the brain. This condition can also damage one’s auditory ability.
Conclusion
The symptoms of sinusitis are often confused with the common cold and may not be diagnosed easily. If left untreated, sinusitis can lead to life-threatening complications, some of which may require surgery.
What is a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection (also called sinusitis) is when the sinuses become filled with gunk (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and become blocked, causing a great deal of discomfort and gross side effects. Your sinuses are located behind the cheekbones, nose, forehead and eyes, and on either side of the bridge of the nose. Normally, healthy sinuses are filled with air only, so anytime there is a buildup of stuff that leads to an infection, you can imagine it will not be pleasant. Sinus infections are common; about 37 million Americans are diagnosed with sinus infections each year.
Types of Sinus Infections
The types of sinus infections include acute, sub acute, chronic and recurrent. In an acute infection, symptoms appear suddenly (facial pain, swelling, pressure), last longer than 10-14 days and disappear within 4 weeks. Sub acute infections have the same symptoms, but they last between 4-8 weeks, while a chronic infection lasts more than 8 weeks, yikes! A person with recurrent sinusitis develops symptoms multiple times a year, as if one wasn’t bad enough.
Causes of Sinus Infections
Your sinuses are more likely to become infected if you are already sick with a respiratory condition, like the common cold. People with nasal polyps, taking certain medications, and structural deformities are all more likely to develop sinus infections too. You can also get sinusitis from environmental factors, like allergies, or smoking. The sinuses can become infected due to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. NURS 6512 Week 5 : Acute Sinusitis Essay
Symptoms
Let’s face it, sinus infections are gross. If you have one, you might feel pain or pressure in the parts of your face with sinuses. It can actually make your head throb. The nose become stuffed up and might run, and this discharge might be colored a yellow or greenish color. This can also cause a cough and sore throat, as your nose drains into your throat. You’ll also probably lose your sense of smell during the duration of the infection. Less common symptoms include bad breath, fatigue, a fever, and pain in the teeth.
Chronic sinus infections come with the joy of a few additional symptoms. You might experience pus in the nasal cavity and a complete blockage in the nose (nothing’s moving). Obviously, this also increases the amount of pressure and pain associated with the infection.
Treatment Options
So, how is a sinus infection treated? Obviously, you want it to go away as soon as possible. Acute sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics (if applicable) or with over-the-counter decongestants. Steam inhalations can help treat symptoms as well. Chronic sinus infections are treated in similar ways. Additionally, warm compresses and humidifiers may help with symptoms.NURS 6512 Week 5 : Acute Sinusitis Essay