Acute sinusitis is the short-term infection of any of the four pairs of sinuses located in your skull. This is characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the sinuses, which brings about a host of different symptoms including the following:

• Greenish or yellowish nasal discharge that has a thick consistency comparable with that of phlegm

• Nasal congestion that lasts for at least 10 days

• Pressure that radiates from the forehead, behind the nose, around the cheeks, and under the eyes

• Pain that is associated with the upper teeth and upper jaw

• Altered sense of smell and sense of taste

• Sore throat that is associated with post-nasal drip

• Fever

• Halitosis or offending breath

• Sinus headaches

• Cough

• Headache that is worse in the morning after waking up

• Localized pain that is related to the site of the infected sinuses:

• Pain especially around the forehead, right above the eyebrows (frontal sinusitis)

• Pain that radiates from the cheeks, upper teeth, upper jaw, and/or roof of the mouth (maxillary sinusitis)

• Pain that comes from both sides of the nose and around the eyes (ethmoid sinusitis)

• Pain that develops around the eyes and in the side of the head (sphenoid sinusitis)

If your condition improves within 10 days, chances are you just had a bout of viral infection or common cold. In order for your sinus infection to be characterized as acute, the symptoms should last for at least 11 days and should subside within four weeks. However, it is also possible for the infection to last more than four weeks, commonly known as chronic sinusitis. There are also times when the symptoms return despite well-planned medical treatment or surgical interventions.

Causes of Acute Sinus Infection

Many things cause acute infection of the sinuses. The most common causes are:

• Bacteria

• Virus

• Fungi

• Irritants and allergens

Acute sinusitis often begins with a viral infection or cold. Eventually within less than two weeks, this type of infection dies out. A viral infection whose symptoms do not improve within this period often develops into acute bacterial sinusitis. In which case, medical treatments are necessary to help the body eliminate the infection.

Treatments

Treatments for acute infection of the sinuses include anything from simple saline solution rinses to the use of antibiotics with different spectrums. The aim of these therapies is to reduce the symptoms and to prevent recurrence. While generally very effective, treatments categorized under these therapies often expose patients to side-effects.

The bulk of options available under this category compose of antibiotics. The rest comprises of treatments such as nasal sprays, nasal decongestants, other medications, and surgeries.

Other treatment options are offered by other fields of medicine. Alternative and complementary treatments offer options that are touted for their efficacy and safety. Acupuncture, nasal irrigation, herbal alternative therapies, and the use of aromatic oils and scents are just a few of the most common remedies that you can use.

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