Sinusitis - Myths and Misconceptions

Million of Americans suffer from sinusitis. There are as many myths and misconceptions as there are sufferers. Pollution and increased resistance to antibiotics have aggravated the problem of sinusitis.

• That sinusitis is a temporary phenomenon, which will disappear on its own.
• That sinusitis is natural in some constitutions, which will clear as age progresses.
• That people with a strong body will not be affected by sinusitis.
• That antibiotic is the only solution for sinusitis.
• That sinusitis can never be cured.

Sinusitis can be caused by a number of factors, from a cold, from an allergy, or from an infection. Sinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the sinuses which shrinks and obstructs the nasal passages preventing the mucus from draining properly.

There are three categories:

1. Acute sinusitis, which lasts three weeks or less;
2. Chronic sinusitis, which lasts for a longer time, but can continue for years; and
3. Recurrent sinusitis, re-appears frequently to affect the sufferer.

Some symptoms of a common cold, such as stuffy nose, headache and cough causes the misconception that they are only suffering from a common cold. Acute sinusitis can start with a common cold, as the inflammation shrinks the nasal passages.

Cold and the subsequent inflammation will usually fade away without treatment, but sinusitis needs treatment.