Suffering in Sinus by Elvira Maricic As the rate of sinusitis soars, victims look for relief   print article      send to a friend

"It started out with what I thought was a common head cold. I took for granted that it would get better," Hanzlick says.  "My physician diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis and bronchitis. My breathing eventually became so bad, I had to be hospitalized," he says. While his breathing improved, his sinusitis was never treated and eventually got worse.

"After the hospital stay, I went back to my doctor, and he gave me an antihistamine to stop what he thought was allergy flow. A month later I went back to him because my head was completely filled up and I was having difficulty breathing. He suspected I had an infection, so he gave me an antibiotic," Hanzlick says.

Hanzlick didn't improve, so he found a new doctor.

"The next doctor did a CAT scan, which showed that all the cavities in my head were completely blocked. He sent me to an ENT and I had surgery of the lower cavities," he says. His sinus condition didn't improve, nor did his breathing and his pulmonologist said he could not treat him until the sinus condition improved. Hanzlick then went to another ENT, who told him he was starting to grow polyps.

While on a family vacation, Hanzlick became so ill that his forehead started to become swollen and he ended up in the emergency room of a Georgia hospital. The cause was a sinus infection so severe, his new ENT told him it was one of the worst he'd ever seen. Another sinus surgery followed--the second in six months--and this one suctioned out everything.

Today, Hanzlick is cautiously optimistic. While his sinus condition has improved, the experience--including months of missed work and a very stressed out family-doesn't allow him to take his health for granted. Every time his nose runs, he worries that his sinus nightmare might return.

A Pain in the Face 

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, more than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of chronic sinusitis each year. Fortunately, the majority of them won't have to go through what Mike Hanzlick did, although increased pollution, urban sprawl, and increased resistance to antibiotics are making this condition more and more prevalent.

In addition, notes a Westlake, Ohio otolaryngologist who preferred to remain anonymous, a person's facial structure, ethnicity, and even smoking habits can be contributing factors. "I know one nationally prominent physician who won't even see sinus patients if he knows that they smoke," he says.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the membrane lining of the sinuses, which are hollow air spaces.  There are four pairs of cavities, or spaces, in the human skull in the area surrounding the nose, which can be the source of severe pain. These are known as paranasal sinuses and include the frontal sinuses, which are found over the eyes; the maxillary sinuses, which are inside each cheekbone; the ethmoids, behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes; and the sphenoids, which are found in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.

Acute sinusitis is a short-term condition that can be treated with antibiotics and decongestants. If it persists for three or more weeks, or if a person has four or more recurrences of it, it becomes chronic sinusitis, a condition that can last months or years. Sinusitis symptoms include facial pain and pressure, including headache, cheek pain, upper jaw and tooth pain, and pain behind the eyes. Other symptoms to look for are nasal congestion, a runny nose, nasal discharge--including green or yellow discharge--and a diminished sense of smell. Mike Hanzlick says that of all of his symptoms, the last one has remained the longest. "I still have a hard time smelling anything, and as a result, food doesn't taste as good. On the upside, I have a 6-month-old, and it makes diaper duty less of a chore," he adds. Other symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, tiredness, and a cough that may be more severe at night.

Sinus Survival

While most physicians treat sinusitis with 10 to 14 days of antibiotic care or oral and topical prescription decongestants, not all physicians automatically recommend them. "I usually advise patients to start out with over-the-counter treatments," the Ohio otolaryngologist says. However, if the condition warrants it, he will prescribe antibiotics.

While home remedies cannot cure sinusitis, they may be used to alleviate sinus pain and discomfort. A vaporizer or steam from a pan of boiled water can soothe the sinuses, and warm compresses, a hot water bottle, or an electric heating pad applied over the area can relieve pain. Over-the-counter saline drops are also safe to use.

On occasion, acute sinusitis can result in brain infection and serious complications. However, according to the Ohio otolaryngologist, that's extremely rare. "I've never heard of anybody dying of a sinus-related brain infection, and most complications are a result of surgery," he says.

Finally, as in Mike Hanzlick's case, when all else fails, surgery may be the only alternative for treating chronic sinusitis. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), studies suggest that the vast majority of patients who undergo surgery have fewer symptoms and better quality of life. The NIH says that the most common surgery done today is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, in which the natural openings from the sinuses are enlarged to allow drainage. This type of surgery is less invasive than conventional sinus surgery and serious complications are rare.