Sneezing. Pressure. Pain. These are just a few of the annoying symptoms that accompany a sinus problem. But how do you know if you’re suffering from allergies or a simple cold, or if you have a serious infection or disease? And, if your symptoms are recurring, when and how do you take action?
Dr. Richard Klapchar – an ear, nose and throat physician with OhioHealth – weighed in on the ins and outs of sinus ailments.
Healthy New Albany: What are some over-the-counter medications someone can use to help with allergies?
Dr. Richard Klapchar: There are some pill forms, such as Zyrtec and Claritin. There are also some that come in nasal spray form, such as Nasacort and Flonase. That means there is a great variety. However, my advice would be to take non-fatiguing tablets and sprays.
HNA: How can you tell the difference between a sinus infection and a sinus disease?
RK: With a sinus infection, a person sees a problem once in a while. Symptoms could include low-grade fevers, congestion and blowing out infectious materials. They can be treated with therapy, over-the-counter components or, at times, an antibiotic, and things improve. The problem comes and goes. With a disease, a person sees problems multiple times a year, such as multiple infections that don’t go away. Typically, a person sees this one or two times a year. If the person starts seeing it three to five times a year with the need for recurrent antibiotics, we might consider that a disease that needs further investigation. That means making sure there are no mechanical issues triggering the problems or areas that are acting like a cesspool, creating bacteria colonies that lead to long-term disease.
There was a time when people would move to another location and do well for four or five years, and now have problems in their new location. The biggest thing is to treat early symptoms with nasal rinses, over the counter, to combat.
HNA: What causes a sinus infection?
RK: There are many factors that could lead to a problem. That could range from people with sensitivity to certain environments. For chronic infections, it could be something happening in the sinus cavity areas. Multiple concurrent infections that cause swelling and trappings hurt the ability for those areas to be properly drained.
HNA: How can infections be prevented?
RK: There are a number of nasal rinses and nasal saline options out there. If you have allergies, work directly with a physician to be ready when symptoms start to show. You can go to the drug store and get appropriate tabs or sprays to avoid congestion and blockage, and to help with air flow and drainage.
HNA: Are certain people or demographics more prone to sinus problems?
RK: People in the Northeast tend to have more seasonal allergy problems. Those in the Southwest have fungal blooms, and parts of the world have certain exposures that can lead to congestion and sinus problems. There was a time when people would move to another location and do well for four or five years, and now have problems in their new location. The biggest thing is to treat early symptoms with nasal rinses, over the counter, to combat.
Some people have small openings or a deviated septum. People become more prone to sinus and nose issues as they age and are exposed to irritants.
HNA: How do you tell the difference between the common cold and an infection? How do the symptoms differ?
RK: If people have pressure and discomfort in their cheeks or forehead and have recurrent nasal congestion that affects sinus and breathing, they should be evaluated.
For an upper respiratory infection, you will have a persistent show of symptoms for three to seven days, and they will resolve. Sinus infections will go beyond that time and will need antibiotic therapy to resolve.
Symptoms don’t differ all that much and can overlap in both colds and infections. The distinction is the timetable and failure of the body to heal itself in five to seven days.
HNA: At what point is it important to see a doctor?
RK: If you are seeing recurrent infections, meaning two or three sinus infections in a short period of time. Or if symptoms are not improving in a three- to five-day stretch with use of over-the-counter options.
HNA: Can someone get a sinus infection from common allergies?
RK: Allergies can create swelling and narrow openings, meaning air flow isn’t coming in. Mucus can get trapped, providing warm mucus collection for bacteria to grow.
HNA: What are some less common symptoms we need to watch out for?
RK: Less common symptoms can be slight swelling and pain of the forehead. Sinus infections that are long-standing and untreated can lead to abscess formation, and abscesses on the skin of the forehead and can spread to the brain and create abscesses there. Other issues could be unrelenting headaches, loss of smell and nosebleeds.
Hannah Bealer is an editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Dr. Richard Kapchar
Dr. Richard Klapchar
Dr. Richard Klapchar’s practice involves comprehensive ear, nose, throat, head and neck services, including aspects of all subspecialties: pediatrics, allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, otology/neurotology (ears, balance), laryngology (throat), and rhinology (nose).
His special clinical interests include voice and swallow disorders, rhinology and pediatric disorders. Klapchar is a member of the medical staff at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital. In addition to providing ENT patient care and services, Klapchar is also the director of the medical education program for otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.
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