Sinusitis: One of the most diagnosed diseases in the United States

MILWAUKEE - Each year 35 million Americans are affected by chronic sinusitis, making it one of the most diagnosed diseases in the United States, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

If you have ongoing headaches or facial pain during cold weather, you don't have to live with the pain. You may have sinusitis and you can be treated for it.

Sinusitis occurs when there is an inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses, the hollow cavities within the cheek bones found around the eyes and behind the nose. Symptoms include some or all of the following:

• Thick yellow-green nasal discharge
• Cough
• Head congestion with a headache and a feeling of facial swelling
• Toothache
• Constant tiredness
• Occasional fever

"Sinusitis is very common in the winter and can last for months or years if inadequately treated," said Brian A. Smart, MD, FAAAAI, and Chair of the AAAAI's Rhinosinusitis Committee. "It is more likely that people with other allergic diseases such as allergies or asthma will develop sinusitis."

According to the AAAAI's Consultation and Referral Guidelines, patients should see an allergist/immunologist if they:

• Have symptoms of sinusitis.
• Have chronic or recurrent infectious rhinosinusitis.
• Have other types of chronic rhinosinusitis.
• Have allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.
• Have other allergic diseases and are interested in learning sinusitis prevention methods.

An allergist/immunologist will also determine what triggers the symptoms, as well as other triggers that may be causing a sinus obstruction, recommendations on how to treat an infection, and if a visit with an ENT/Otolaryngologist is needed for consideration for surgery of the sinusitis.

Sinusitis generally requires a combination of therapies. According to the practice parameter The Diagnosis and Management of Sinusitis: A Practice Parameter Update, antibiotics should not be prescribed for 10 to 14 days, unless severe symptoms develop such as fever, facial pain or tenderness, or swelling around the eye. An allergist/immunologist may also prescribe a medication to reduce blockage or to control allergies to help keep the sinus passages open. This medicine may be a decongestant, a mucus-thinning medicine or a cortisone nasal spray. Antihistamines, cromolyn and topical steroid nasal sprays help control allergic inflammation. Other treatments that can be helpful to control and reduce symptoms of sinusitis include breathing in hot moist air, applying hot packs and washing the nasal cavities with salt water.

If you have predisposing conditions that lead to excess mucus and inflammation of the nose, such as allergies or structural nasal problems, you are more likely to develop sinusitis.

Any predisposing factors make it important to have a long-term management plan to help control allergic diseases and to keep the nasal inflammation well controlled with medications between sinusitis episodes, and for consideration of surgical repair of structural abnormalities, if present and all other medical treatments have failed.

To find an allergist/immunologist in your area or to learn more about sinusitis, call the AAAAI Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at www.aaaai.org.

The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information and a physician referral directory through its Web site at www.aaaai.org.

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