Cold & Flu Center
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the air-filled spaces (sinuses) behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. Allergies and infections are the most common causes. When sinusitis keeps coming back or continues for a long period of time, it is considered chronic.
Causes of chronic sinusitis includeA deviated nasal septum or other blockage of the nose, which can trap fluid in a sinus. Dental infections such as a tooth abscess, which may spread into a sinus. An allergy to the Aspergillus fungus, which appears to cause a form of chronic sinusitis that's particularly difficult to treat.
Symptoms
Symptoms may last for three months or more. They include headache, facial pain around the eyes or in the forehead or cheeks, pain in the roof of the mouth or teeth, nasal drainage (yellow or yellow-green and thick), and cough.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and make the symptoms go away. A three- to four-week course of antibiotics may be given if bacteria caused the infection. Oral decongestants are sometimes used, as are nasal sprays (topical steroids) that may help relieve allergy-related chronic sinusitis. Over-the-counter painkillers can control pain.
For some, surgery to clean and drain the sinuses may be needed. Surgical repair of a deviated septum or nasal obstruction may prevent chronic sinusitis from recurring.
PreventionUsing decongestants when you have an upper respiratory infection may reduce your risk of developing sinusitis. However, decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for short periods of time because they can make congestion worse.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
5 Cold Symptoms and How to Treat Them
Cold & Flu Center
When you have a cold, it's very important to choose the right medicines for your symptoms. Here are five common cold symptoms and the recommended over-the-counter remedies:
For a stuffy nose: Use a nasal decongestant.
To quiet a cough: Use a cough suppressant.
To loosen mucus so you can cough it up: Use an expectorant.
To stop a runny nose and sneezing: Use an antihistamine.
To ease fever, headache, and minor aches and pains: Use a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
A reminder when treating children's colds: Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to children or teenagers with symptoms of a cold or flu. If you aren't sure whether a product contains salicylates, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Young people can get sick or die from a rare condition called Reye's syndrome if they take such medicines while they have these symptoms. If you are unsure which medication is best for you or your child, consult your physician.
When you have a cold, it's very important to choose the right medicines for your symptoms. Here are five common cold symptoms and the recommended over-the-counter remedies:
For a stuffy nose: Use a nasal decongestant.
To quiet a cough: Use a cough suppressant.
To loosen mucus so you can cough it up: Use an expectorant.
To stop a runny nose and sneezing: Use an antihistamine.
To ease fever, headache, and minor aches and pains: Use a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
A reminder when treating children's colds: Do not give aspirin or other salicylates to children or teenagers with symptoms of a cold or flu. If you aren't sure whether a product contains salicylates, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Young people can get sick or die from a rare condition called Reye's syndrome if they take such medicines while they have these symptoms. If you are unsure which medication is best for you or your child, consult your physician.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
8 Unmistakable Signs of the Flu
Cold & Flu Center
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. For this reason, it's important to know the symptoms so you can get treatment fast, both for your own sake and so you don't pass the disease on to others.
The telltale signs include:
Fever (usually high)
Headache
Extreme tiredness/fatigue
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can also occur but are more common in children than adults.
If you develop flulike symptoms and are concerned about your illness, consult your health care provider. This is especially important for those at high risk for complications from the flu virus, including people 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. For this reason, it's important to know the symptoms so you can get treatment fast, both for your own sake and so you don't pass the disease on to others.
The telltale signs include:
Fever (usually high)
Headache
Extreme tiredness/fatigue
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can also occur but are more common in children than adults.
If you develop flulike symptoms and are concerned about your illness, consult your health care provider. This is especially important for those at high risk for complications from the flu virus, including people 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The 3 Best Ways to Avoid the Flu
Cold & Flu Center
There are three primary actions you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu:
Vaccination
This is your best defense against the flu. There are two types of vaccines: the "flu shot," an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is administered by needle, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine, made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu.
Good Health Hygiene
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. This includes staying home from work, school, and errands. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Washing your hands often will help protect you from spreading germs on your hands to your eyes, nose, and mouth. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Antiviral Drugs
Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu. Because the flu virus changes each year, your doctor will know which medication is recommended for fighting this year's bug. Antivirals are effective only if taken within two days after becoming sick. When used in this manner, these medications can reduce influenza symptoms and may shorten your illness by one or two days. They may also make you less contagious.
There are three primary actions you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu:
Vaccination
This is your best defense against the flu. There are two types of vaccines: the "flu shot," an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is administered by needle, and the nasal-spray flu vaccine, made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu.
Good Health Hygiene
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. This includes staying home from work, school, and errands. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Washing your hands often will help protect you from spreading germs on your hands to your eyes, nose, and mouth. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Antiviral Drugs
Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu. Because the flu virus changes each year, your doctor will know which medication is recommended for fighting this year's bug. Antivirals are effective only if taken within two days after becoming sick. When used in this manner, these medications can reduce influenza symptoms and may shorten your illness by one or two days. They may also make you less contagious.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Steer Clear of the Common Cold
Cold & Flu Center
With due diligence and proper hygiene, you can stay sniffle-free this cold season. Here are eight ways to keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others:
Hands off: Because cold germs can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those parts of your body.
Stay away: If possible, avoid being around people who have colds.
Stand back: If you have a cold, avoid being close to other people.
Be polite: If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth.
Soap up: Washing your hands with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of colds. When water isn't available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using alcohol-based hand-sanitizing products.
Clean up: Cold-causing rhinoviruses can live up to three hours on your skin and on such objects as telephones and stair railings. Using a virus-killing disinfectant to wipe down these objects may help prevent the spread of infection.
Try a supplement: Some people use the herbal remedy echinacea to treat their colds. Researchers, however, have found that while the herb may help treat your colds if taken in the early stages, it will not help prevent them.
Hit the OJ: Many people are convinced that taking large quantities of vitamin C will prevent colds or relieve symptoms. To test this theory, several large-scale controlled studies involving children and adults have been conducted. To date, no conclusive data have shown that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds; large doses may, however, reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
With due diligence and proper hygiene, you can stay sniffle-free this cold season. Here are eight ways to keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others:
Hands off: Because cold germs can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those parts of your body.
Stay away: If possible, avoid being around people who have colds.
Stand back: If you have a cold, avoid being close to other people.
Be polite: If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth.
Soap up: Washing your hands with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of colds. When water isn't available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using alcohol-based hand-sanitizing products.
Clean up: Cold-causing rhinoviruses can live up to three hours on your skin and on such objects as telephones and stair railings. Using a virus-killing disinfectant to wipe down these objects may help prevent the spread of infection.
Try a supplement: Some people use the herbal remedy echinacea to treat their colds. Researchers, however, have found that while the herb may help treat your colds if taken in the early stages, it will not help prevent them.
Hit the OJ: Many people are convinced that taking large quantities of vitamin C will prevent colds or relieve symptoms. To test this theory, several large-scale controlled studies involving children and adults have been conducted. To date, no conclusive data have shown that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds; large doses may, however, reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Cold or Worse? 11 Signs of Sinusitis
Cold & Flu Center
Though sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed, the term gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. Health experts estimate that 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Here are 11 ways to know whether you're one of them:
Headache when you wake in the morning
Pain when touching your forehead over the frontal sinuses
Achiness in the upper jaw and teeth; your cheeks also become tender to the touch
Swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes
Earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top of your head
Fever
Weakness
Tiredness
A cough that may be more severe at night
Nasal congestion
A sore throat caused by postnasal drip down the back of your throat
After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, your health care provider will probably suggest treatments such as decongestants, antibiotics, and pain relievers to reduce the inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
Though sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed, the term gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. Health experts estimate that 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Here are 11 ways to know whether you're one of them:
Headache when you wake in the morning
Pain when touching your forehead over the frontal sinuses
Achiness in the upper jaw and teeth; your cheeks also become tender to the touch
Swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes
Earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top of your head
Fever
Weakness
Tiredness
A cough that may be more severe at night
Nasal congestion
A sore throat caused by postnasal drip down the back of your throat
After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, your health care provider will probably suggest treatments such as decongestants, antibiotics, and pain relievers to reduce the inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
4 Ways to Stay Healthy at Work
Cold & Flu Center
Viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs cause the flu and the common cold. These germs usually spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Here are four ways to stop this cycle:
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Use a tissue or cover your mouth with your hands. Then clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
- Clean your hands often. For 15 to 20 seconds, rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces with soap and warm water. It is the soap, combined with the scrubbing action, that helps dislodge and remove germs. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using a gel, rub it on your hands until they are dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for up to two hours or more on surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, and tables.
- Stay home when you are sick. Also, see a health care provider if necessary. Your employer may need a doctor's note for an excused absence.
Viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs cause the flu and the common cold. These germs usually spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Here are four ways to stop this cycle:
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Use a tissue or cover your mouth with your hands. Then clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
- Clean your hands often. For 15 to 20 seconds, rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces with soap and warm water. It is the soap, combined with the scrubbing action, that helps dislodge and remove germs. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using a gel, rub it on your hands until they are dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for up to two hours or more on surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, and tables.
- Stay home when you are sick. Also, see a health care provider if necessary. Your employer may need a doctor's note for an excused absence.
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