Treat sinus infection in its early stages
Aug 12, 2007
THAT recurring flu might be a sign of sinusitis, a dangerous infection of the sinuses.
By Norman Katende
THAT recurring flu might be a sign of sinusitis, a dangerous infection of the sinuses.
According to Dr. John Kitto (MB ChB-East Africa), on and off signs of flu, coupled with continuous headaches and a greenish yellow mucus, are among the many signs that shows that a person’s sinuses may have been affected.
Sinuses are hollows within the skull bones.
They have small tubes that connect them to the nose. But when you have constant flu, it can flow into the sinuses and block them, which means that the airs cannot move normally and speaking and breathing becomes a problem.
“This is so because the mucus membrane extends into the sinuses and when there is an over production of mucus, it goes to the sinuses and clogs them,†says Kitto, adding that the sinuses produce about one litre of mucus in twenty four hours for a normal person.
It is this mucus, through its membrane, that helps gauge the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe in so that it gets to the lungs when it is of the normal quantity, in order not to strain the lungs.
In its acute phase, there is continuous sneezing, nasal blockage, running nose with thick green yellow mucus, fatigue and pain in the upper cheeks, where most of the sinuses are found.
As the infection becomes chronic, there is blockage of the air path, which results into constant headaches and breathing difficulty.
“It can also develop into asthma. It also causes a constant foul breath,†says Kitto, who however cautions that not every running nose is a symptom of a sinus infection.
Kitto says that the running nose is mainly an infection and if it stays without proper attention, it might spread to the sinuses. He advises people to be cautious whenever they have a running nose.
“As you take the different treatments, you should also take antibiotics to kill any germs that might affect the sinuses.â€
Though there are generally few ways of avoiding sinusitis, which affects over 40% of the world’s population, since it is an air borne diseases, there are general practices that can help in counteracting the situation.
The best away to unclog sinuses is to drink hot tea, black or green herbal or decaffeinated, — or hot chicken soup at regular intervals throughout the day.
The hot liquid helps to moisturise the mucus membranes and helps to clear the sinuses. You can also apply a small, warm towel to your cheek.
Warm steam baths with Vicks helps in lightening the mucus clogs and clears the mucus pathways, hence protecting you from sinus infections.
To the medical practitioners, offering antihistamines like piriton tablets, antibiotics and pain killers reduce the irritation. Sometimes, minor surgery can also help save the sinuses.
However, Kitto says that a sinus wash out, depending on the situation, will be the best alternative, despite it being tiring, as it is done repeatedly for weeks or even months, until the blockage clears.
“But why wait for all these effects when you can easily deal with the situation when it is still at its early stage.â€
THAT recurring flu might be a sign of sinusitis, a dangerous infection of the sinuses.
According to Dr. John Kitto (MB ChB-East Africa), on and off signs of flu, coupled with continuous headaches and a greenish yellow mucus, are among the many signs that shows that a person’s sinuses may have been affected.
Sinuses are hollows within the skull bones.
They have small tubes that connect them to the nose. But when you have constant flu, it can flow into the sinuses and block them, which means that the airs cannot move normally and speaking and breathing becomes a problem.
“This is so because the mucus membrane extends into the sinuses and when there is an over production of mucus, it goes to the sinuses and clogs them,†says Kitto, adding that the sinuses produce about one litre of mucus in twenty four hours for a normal person.
It is this mucus, through its membrane, that helps gauge the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe in so that it gets to the lungs when it is of the normal quantity, in order not to strain the lungs.
In its acute phase, there is continuous sneezing, nasal blockage, running nose with thick green yellow mucus, fatigue and pain in the upper cheeks, where most of the sinuses are found.
As the infection becomes chronic, there is blockage of the air path, which results into constant headaches and breathing difficulty.
“It can also develop into asthma. It also causes a constant foul breath,†says Kitto, who however cautions that not every running nose is a symptom of a sinus infection.
Kitto says that the running nose is mainly an infection and if it stays without proper attention, it might spread to the sinuses. He advises people to be cautious whenever they have a running nose.
“As you take the different treatments, you should also take antibiotics to kill any germs that might affect the sinuses.â€
Though there are generally few ways of avoiding sinusitis, which affects over 40% of the world’s population, since it is an air borne diseases, there are general practices that can help in counteracting the situation.
The best away to unclog sinuses is to drink hot tea, black or green herbal or decaffeinated, — or hot chicken soup at regular intervals throughout the day.
The hot liquid helps to moisturise the mucus membranes and helps to clear the sinuses. You can also apply a small, warm towel to your cheek.
Warm steam baths with Vicks helps in lightening the mucus clogs and clears the mucus pathways, hence protecting you from sinus infections.
To the medical practitioners, offering antihistamines like piriton tablets, antibiotics and pain killers reduce the irritation. Sometimes, minor surgery can also help save the sinuses.
However, Kitto says that a sinus wash out, depending on the situation, will be the best alternative, despite it being tiring, as it is done repeatedly for weeks or even months, until the blockage clears.
“But why wait for all these effects when you can easily deal with the situation when it is still at its early stage.â€