Symptoms

[Mawee]

What are the symptoms of Sinusitis?  I am coughing and spitting up on occassion. Have no fever. Feel as if mucus is draining down my throat

[National Jewish]

Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. This can interfere with normal sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. When this drainage from the nose and sinuses drips down the back of the throat it is known as postnasal drip. Symptoms often include a headache or pain in the area of the affected sinus, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage.
You will need to be seen by your doctor to determine if this is what you are experiencing and what treatment would be best for you. The following treatments are often recommended at National Jewish Medical and Research Center: nasal washes, nasal steroid spray, decongestant and/or antihistamine, and an antibiotic if the symptoms are due to a bacterial infection.
For further information, please read our Sinusitis Medfact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sinus.html.

[Tomasello_MD]

There is some new data available that states that many problems with chronic sinusitis may indeed be related to problems with acid reflux. Put simply, gases that are released along with the acid that "refluxes" can, in fact, cause sinus inflammation. In some cases, this may need to be considered.
My approach is as follows. If a sinus infection persists, the proper treatment is a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Augmentin along with a nasal steroid spray once daily (i.e. Nasonex, Rhinocort, Flonase) and a prescription antihistamine such as Zyrtec or Allegra. In cases where sinus infection persists despite this treatment, one may need to seriously consider the possibility that acid reflux is causing these symptoms and one will need to begin more aggressive treatment for acid reflux.