HEALTH
Know your nose
If you feel worn-out and sore, it could all
be in your head—specifically your sinuses.
Sinus infections can be viral, fungal
or bacterial and are difficult to diagnose
because they generate a wide
range of ailments, says consultant
ENT surgeon Andrew McCombe at
Frimley Hospital, Surrey.
Symptoms consultant
otolaryngologist Jaan Panesar
from Luton & Dunstable Hospital
says that about half of people
with severe sinusitis suffer
fatigue and sore joints—
especially in the shoulders, neck,
and hips. Tooth pain and
sensitivity can also send people
racing to the dentist, when a sinus
infection is the actual culprit.
Home care First try a saline spray,
decongestant, or anti- histamine.
Dr McCombe suggests avoiding
mucus-producing dairy foods, and
says that alternative remedies such as
acupuncture and aromatherapy can help.
Staying well hydrated can keep nasal
secretions flowing freely, preventing
stuffiness that can harbour infection. If
symptoms persist, talk to your doctor
about prescription remedies. Antibiotics
can cure bacterial infections and reduce
swelling in sinuses.
Surgery Dr McCombe advises
considering surgery after at least three
months of unsuccessful treatment. More
than 10,000 endoscopic sinus surgeries
are done in the UK each year to enlarge
narrow passages and improve drainage.
They have a 65 per cent success rate.
The operation takes about an hour and
is usually done under general anesthetic.
Nasal
cavities
Septum
HEALTHY
SINUS
SINUSITIS
Sinus Troubles:
Bacterial or Viral?
Bacterial infections are best treated with
antibiotics, while viral infections should clear
up on their own. These signs will help you tell
the difference:
BACTERIAL
� Pain on one side of your face.
� Thick, dark-green or dark-yellow discharge
from your nose.
� You felt better after a week but then got worse.
VIRAL
� Pain on both sides of your face, general
achiness.
� Runny nose, discharge from the eyes.
� You’ve been unwell for less than ten days.
READER’S DIGEST . FEBRUARY ’09
Inflamed
lining
Excess
mucus
Infection
ILLUSTRATED BY LON TWEETEN; PHOTO: MARCUS
LYON/PHOTOGRAPHER’S CHOICE/GETTY IMAGES
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