Chronic sinus infections can be more than unpleasant; they can cause serious medical conditions such as vision problems, chronic pain or headaches, and infections that spread from the sinuses to other areas of the head and neck . Chronic sinusitis can also affect mental health.
Can sinus infection cause other health problems?
Sinus infections can also spread to the brain, but this is even rarer. It can lead to a brain abscess or meningitis, both of which can be life-threatening . An infection that lingers, gets worse or gets better only to quickly return needs to be treated by a doctor.
How does sinusitis affect your daily life?
The congestion associated with chronic sinus infections can make it difficult to breathe, which can make it difficult for you to drift off . Additionally, there might also be an increased risk for sleep apnea among people with chronic sinus problems.
Can sinus make your body weak?
Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion . There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Your health care professional diagnoses sinusitis based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. You may also need imaging tests.
What organs are affected by sinusitis?
There are many types of sinuses, but sinusitis affects the paranasal sinuses , the spaces behind the face that lead to the nasal cavity. The lining of these sinuses has the same composition as the lining of the nose. The sinuses produce a slimy secretion called mucus.
What are the 4 main symptoms of sinusitis?
- Nasal inflammation.
- 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.
Can sinus infection spread to lungs?
In certain patients, however, the infection can result in lower respiratory symptoms such as cough and chest congestion, eventually turning into bronchitis, sometimes even pneumonia . This typically occurs from infected post nasal drainage entering the lungs.
When does sinusitis become serious?
When there is excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head or throat , you likely have a severe sinus infection. And if you can't open your eyes or you feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.
What are the stages of a sinus infection?
- Acute sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
- Subacute sinusitus usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
- Chronic sinusitus symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
- Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.
Can sinusitis cause anxiety?
Stress and anxiety can affect your sinuses indirectly by increasing your susceptibility to a range of health issues that, in turn, worsen your sinus problems . Sustained stress can weaken your body's immune system, making you more vulnerable to the effects of allergens, as well as germs, bacteria, viruses, infections.
Can sinusitis cause anxiety attacks?
Researchers discovered that the patients with chronic sinusitis were over 50 percent more likely to develop depression or anxiety . Those with the worst symptoms were the most likely to experience mental health problems.
Can sinusitis cause heart problems?
If you have sick sinus syndrome, your sinus node isn't working properly, causing your heart rate to be too slow (bradycardia), too fast (tachycardia) or irregular .
Can sinusitis make you feel sick and tired?
Sinus congestion, discharge, and pressure with facial pain or headaches could mean you have a cold. But if the discharge from your nose is yellow or discolored, you may have a sinus infection. Chronic sinus infections can reduce your quality of life and make you constantly tired .
Can a sinus infection make you dizzy and tired?
Sinusitis can also cause fatigue . You may feel tired as your body tries to fight off the infection. Constant pressure on your sinuses, an irritating cough, and dizziness can also contribute to exhaustion.
What is the main cause of sinusitis?
Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold . Signs and symptoms may include a blocked and stuffy (congested) nose, which may block your sinuses and prevent drainage of mucus. Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold, which is an infection with a virus.
How does sinusitis affect the respiratory system?
Sinusitis worsens pulmonary function whether you have COPD or not, but the effect is obviously more profound in people who have existing respiratory issues. Sinus inflammation can trigger a COPD exacerbation, which is characterized by wheezing, chest tightness, tachypnea (rapid breathing), and dizziness.
How do you know if a sinus infection has spread to your brain?
Encephalitis: This results when the infection spreads to your brain tissue. Encephalitis may not have obvious symptoms beyond a headache, fever, or weakness . But more severe cases can lead to confusion, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty speaking, paralysis, or loss consciousness.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection?
- Get Treatment. ...
- Flush Your Sinuses. ...
- Use a Medicated Over-the-Counter Nasal Spray. ...
- Use a Humidifier. ...
- Use Steam. ...
- Drink Water. ...
- Get Plenty of Rest. ...
- Take Vitamin C.
Can sinus affect eyes?
Problems in the sinuses can cause facial pressure, feeling of fluid or fullness in the ears, and even eye pain. Since sinuses are located behind the eye and near the inner corners of the eyes it is possible that eyes can be affected by infections in the sinuses .
Can sinusitis cause breathing problems?
Sinusitis can make it difficult to breathe through your nose for a week or two until the inflammation subsides and the congested sinuses begin to drain . Many breathing problems are chronic or long-term. These common breathing problems include chronic sinusitis, allergies, and asthma.
Can sinusitis cause low oxygen levels?
In chronic airway diseases such as sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, decrease in oxygen tension can occur due to pathologic changes in the microvascular structures or increase in metabolic demands (3).
Can sinus affect your throat?
A sinus infection can cause mucus and fluid to back up in the throat, which may make the throat itch or feel full . Some people repeatedly cough to try to clear the throat, but others experience uncontrollable coughing.
What happens if chronic sinusitis goes untreated?
If chronic sinusitis goes untreated for a length of time, it is possible the infection can spread to vital parts of your body, including to the bones, spinal fluid, and the brain . These complications, meningitis and brain abscesses, are life-threatening and require immediate emergency surgery.
Can sinus problems weaken your immune system?
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that signs of a possible immune deficiency in adults include: Having more than four ear infections in one year. Developing pneumonia twice during a one-year period. Suffering from chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year .
