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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
What have I got? Is it sinusitis?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
What have I got? Is it sinusitis?
by korma_kamelion, Oct 22, 2003 12:00AM
As of about 48 hours ago I suddenly came down with a stinking cold which quickly developed into a sore throat, headache, and painful face which ache's really badly. I have also felt lethargic and drowsy and just achy.
Is this sinusitis do you think? And how long do you think it will last? I havent been to the doctors because I am a student and my registered doctor is not here at university so he is too far away to feasibly travel to with ease and also I dont really want to be put on antibiotics.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Is this sinusitis do you think? And how long do you think it will last? I havent been to the doctors because I am a student and my registered doctor is not here at university so he is too far away to feasibly travel to with ease and also I dont really want to be put on antibiotics.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 31, 2003 12:00AM
, Oct 31, 2003 12:00AM
Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. Symptoms can include a headache, painful face in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, constant low fever, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage. This can certainly cause you to feel lethargic, drowsy, and just achy. A CT scan of the sinuses easily identifies this problem. If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, this will last as long as the inflammation continues.
This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat. This can fester sinusitis. A nasal wash helps remove mucus and bacteria from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily reduce the postnasal drip and help your sinuses to drain better. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
If your symptoms continue, your doctor may recommend a prescription nasal steroid spray. This can decrease nasal and sinus inflammation and mucus production. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. To get the most out of a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.
You will need to see your doctor to learn for sure if sinusitis is causing your symptoms and what treatment would be best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sinus.html for further information. An ENT would be the type of specialist to identify sinusitis and the best treatment.
This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat. This can fester sinusitis. A nasal wash helps remove mucus and bacteria from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily reduce the postnasal drip and help your sinuses to drain better. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
If your symptoms continue, your doctor may recommend a prescription nasal steroid spray. This can decrease nasal and sinus inflammation and mucus production. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. To get the most out of a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.
You will need to see your doctor to learn for sure if sinusitis is causing your symptoms and what treatment would be best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sinus.html for further information. An ENT would be the type of specialist to identify sinusitis and the best treatment.
Member Comments (2)
by ozark, Oct 22, 2003 12:00AM
why don't you go see the nurse at school? it sounds like it could be a sinus infection, if youre feeling lethargic it may making you sick........
