Nearly everyone has suffered from acute sinusitis at some point, a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, causing mucus to build up.

Breathing through the nose becomes difficult and can produce facial pain and headaches.

Unless a bacterial infection develops, most cases of acute sinusitis follow the pattern of a common cold and disappear within a week to 10 days. If the infection lasts for more than 12 weeks, it becomes known as chronic sinusitis.

According Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis include ear pressure, headache, toothaches, cough, an altered sense of smell, bad breath, fatigue and fever. Those suffering from acute sinusitis don’t typically see a doctor, unless the symptoms last more than a week, there is a persistent fever or a history of chronic sinusitis.

Some of the conditions that can put a person at risk for sinusitis include a previous allergic condition, the presence of a common cold, a nasal passage abnormality, an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS or exposure to secondhand smoke.

Dr. John Ditto of the Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers explained why sinuses react to allergens. “The sinuses are lined by the nasal and sinus epithelium, or lining, and that lining is reactive to allergens. Those allergens cause histamine release and other inflammatory mediators that cause swelling, and they obstruct the tiny sinus openings in which our sinuses normally drain. By treating the allergy, you decrease the inflammation. You can maintain sinus openings so that they drain effectively and reduce recurrent and chronic sinusitis.”

Some steps to reduce the chances of suffering acute sinusitis include staying away from people who have colds or are sick with infections, washing your hands frequently, avoiding cigarette smoke and polluted air, and using a humidifier.

Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offer a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to gauge the severity of your symptoms.

Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in Central Virginia and beyond, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique, collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, please visit our website.