Infection & Fatigue

There is new research that states that fatigue is now believed to be the determining factor in sinus infections. While headache and facial pain and pressure are signature symptoms, data has been analyzed through the Academy of Otylaryngology Journal that suggests otherwise. This research that is out of Vanderbilt University suggests that sinus pain and pressure as well as temperature are not the factors that determine sinusitis, with fatigue being the common denominator.

Symptoms of fatigue along with sleep disturbance, nasal congestion, nasal obstruction as well as ansomia e.g. loss of sense of smell were the symptoms that indicated sinusitis. Toothache and poor response to medication, such as decongestants, are still used as indicators in diagnosing sinusitis however, these symptoms have lost some of their diagnostic validity as well. CT scan imaging is being recommended as being conducted during the initial assessment, for diagnostic accuracy. Typically, physicians conduct a physical exam and obtain the patients history which has resulted in misdiagnosing many patients with sinusitis.

Patients with sinusitis have complaint of fatigue, per the new research, and this symptom has been overlooked as a factor regarding sinusitis. In fact, severity of sinusitis is also strongly aligned with CT imaging. Those patients who report feeling “blaise” and lack energy and do not have pain are the more likely those patients with sinusitis, with CT imaging showing infected sinuses as well. Patients who present as “sicker” and have a stronger complaint of pain from headache are more likely suffering with migraine or vascular headaches or allergy related problems, and sometime jaw problems.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness and an inability to perform everyday tasks with your usual amount of energy. The body requires more energy to respond to an attack on the immune system during a sinusitis infection, utilizing calories that are typically used for daily life to fight an infection, resulting in fatigue. In addition, airway obstruction at night due to inflamed sinus passages, nasal congestion, sore-throat, and coughing disrupts sleep, resulting in less sleep during a time when your body needs sleep most.

• Fatigue is considered a symptom as opposed to a medical sign, as it is reported by the patient instead of being observed by others. Fatigue, like a fever, is an immune response that develops to fight the bacteria during the course of a sinusitis infection. Fatigue is when a person feels weak and unmotivated and is often a symptom of many types of medical and mental disorders.
• Sinusitis is a condition defined by inflammation of the sinuses. Whether the inflammation stems from a blockage from bacteria, fungi or virus, it results in excess mucus production.
• Chronic sinusitis fatigue is often part of a chronic sinusitis infection with fatigue being a natural part of healing during any infection.

Post –viral fatigue syndrome

There is a condition that impacts probably everyone of us after a viral infection. It is called post-viral fatigue syndrome. This is a condition that results in fatigue following a viral infection. It can produce extended periods of fatigue after the course of an illness. It is believed that many people with severe viral infections may take months to years in recuperating from a severe viral infection. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a direct sub category, along with mononucleosis. Those with chronic sinusitis have a strong co-morbidity with chronic fatigue syndrome. Sinus infections usually stem from a virus. The course of a chronic sinus infection is an infection that last longer than 12 months. Complications from chronic sinus infections are many and can result in sinus surgery, nasal polyps, migraines, as well as more severe conditions such as meningitis in rare cases.

Method

Physicians prescribe oral antibiotics to treat sinusitis, with that trend slowly being phased out as oral antibiotics are understood to be ineffective in the treatment of sinusitis. Recurrent sinusitis infections are common with the use of oral antibiotics due to the blood vessels inability to provide an effective dose to the site of infection. A topical treatment to sinus infections is now the growing trend. Medications that are delivered intranasally, referred to as inhalation therapy is the most effective treatment. This method of “aerosol therapy” or inhalation therapy has a 98% success rate in treating patients with both chronic and acute cases of sinusitis. In short, it is difficult to effectively treat any sinusitis infection with oral antibiotics and very effective to treat a sinus infection topically.

Nasal irrigation and nasal sprays are often recommended to alleviate nasal congestion and inflammation during the course of a chronic sinus infection. The combination of inflamed nasal passages and copious amounts of mucus make it almost impossible to breath, contributing to fatigue and sleep disruption. Nasal sprays and nasal irrigation are treatments widely used as are decongestants, humidifiers, antihistamines and vitamin C to boost the immune system. Sinus surgery and oral steroids are the last treatment option, a treatment most patients fear because it is painful and only clears out a portion of the infection.

Treatment for chronic sinus infection fatigue

The best treatment for chronic sinusitis is a topical treatment that delivers medication into the infected sinus area. Sinus Dynamics offers this topical sinus treatment with custom compounded:

• Antibiotics
• Anti-fungals
• Anti-inflammatories

All medications are delivered through a state of the art nebulizer into the sinus cavities. Sinus Dynamics nebulizer emits a mist with 3.2-micron particle size enters the sinus cavities, in a mist form and depositing medication directly.

Sinus Dynamics aerosol sinus therapy method is the most effective treatment available for patients who suffer with sinusitis. Contact Sinus Dynamics today to begin treatment for your chronic sinusitis fatigue symptoms (877) 447-4276!

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