 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / January 2006Which Type Of Sinus Problem Do I Have?
I was hoping some of the experts on this group could help me decipher what my sinus problem is. So in advance I would like to thank all people who respond to this post. Also I'll try and write my problem down in point form to make it easier to understand. So here goes nothing. 1. I've had my sinus problem for about 2 years. It seems to have gotten worse or maybe it's the fact I have no patience for it anymore. I have not seen an ENT about my problem though I will be as soon as I can get an appointment. 2. Well my problem goes like this. It seems to be some sort of clogging that can vary form one nostril to the next. Therefore it is rarely if ever bot nostrils clogged. The main time when it strikes is about a minute or two after I lie in bed therefore interfering with my sleep. Which on a side not I have enough problems with as it is. 3. Now keep in mind it is always one nostril where the air cannot pass through. Also it doesn't seem to have a preference of which side. One night it could be the left the next could be the right. If it just won't clear I will get up, go on the internet and it seems to be less annoying or clear gradually. But it can just as easily return when I go to lay back down. Not all the time though. 4. As you can see this problem is getting to me mostly because it is interfering with my sleep. Otherwise I can deal with it any other time of the day. Although it still sucks the energy out of me having to breathe through one nostril. 5. Some things that help me are getting up and moving around. Chores around the house, walking etc. Although nothing helps get the gunk out better than a hot shower or some spicy food. 6. Also sometimes it feels like a dry nasal passage contributing to my problem. Other times it just feels like it is packed with gunk. It also feels like there may be some swelling in the infected side. It's hard to say though. 7. Also sometimes I will blow some bloody snot out. Especially noticeable when I blow some not snot in the shower. This is however not always the case as sometimes I will blow just normal disgusting snot So based on the information I gave you do any of you have an idea of what I might be dealing with here. Like on a scale of 1 to 10 how concerned should I be. I mean am I dealing with some type of sinusitis or allergies or something else. Once again really appreciate the help. P.S. Keep in mind this has been going on and off for about 2 years. Seems to be a little worse in the winter but once again hard to say. One more thing do any of you know of any other forums to talk about sinus problems besides this. Can't seem to find any. Your turbinates are swollen due to allergies or other reasons...... Okay but when you say turbinates you mean the right side as I stated one night. Then say the left turbinate the other night. Just want to make sure that it's not both turbinates causing the swelling on one side or the other. Also when you say due to allergies. How can i find out to what allergies they are due too. Plus when you say other reasons what other reasons. >Okay but when you say turbinates you mean the right side as I stated >one night. Then say the left turbinate the other night. Just want >to make sure that it's not both turbinates causing the swelling on one >side or the other. The alternation always surprises people but it is normal. The turbinates swell up randomly first on one side, then on the other, maybe several times a day. There is no significance to this as such. It happens in everyone. It is just that because your turbinates are swollen, you notice it. >Also when you say due to allergies. How can i find out to what >allergies they are due too. See an ENT first, and maybe an allergist. > Plus when you say other reasons what other >reasons. Infection, anatomy, non-allergic rhinitis...... An ENT will tell you which...... Thanks for the help so far. Also do you have any idea why more often then not. This strikes when I'm laying down trying to go to bed. >Thanks for the help so far. Also do you have any idea why more often >then not. This strikes when I'm laying down trying to go to bed. The turbinates can swell more when you lie down. So if you are at the margin, that is when it is most evident..... At the margin. Please explain thank-you. >At the margin. Please explain thank-you. I'll rephrase it. If you have swollen turbinates, you are likely to notice it when you lie down because they swell more in that position. (See also http://www.sinusitisfaq.org/ which is the FAQ list created for this newsgroup). I had such a headache from my sinus's,(turbinates), felt like my eyes were inflamed too.. that I took (Aleve) all day yesterday. 2 in the morning after breakfast, 1 in the afternoon after lunch and, 2 at bedtime. I got through the night without a headache I will cut back on the Aleve today for just 2 in the morning and 2 at night, as they seem to be draining in my throat, eyes are watering, and nasal passages. shirleyann I am off to my MD this morning as my eyes seem to be worse. The TV hurts my eyes and I cannot read for long. I suspect I have an upper respiratory infection as I am no better today. shirleyann > > 2. Well my problem goes like this. It seems to be some sort of > > clogging that can vary form one nostril to the next. Therefore it is > > rarely if ever bot nostrils clogged. The main time when it strikes is > > about a minute or two after I lie in bed therefore interfering with my > > sleep. Which on a side not I have enough problems with as it is. > See an ENT first, and maybe an allergist. > > > Plus when you say other reasons what other > >reasons. > > Infection, anatomy, non-allergic rhinitis...... Most likely the problem is a low-grade infection. The other possible causes can be ruled out, because you've only had the problem for 2 years. You could be allergic to dust mites and this might be irritating the infection, but my guess is it's just the infection that's causing the problem. The only thing doctors can do is mask the symptoms with antihistamines or steroids which shrink the tissue, but don't cure the infection. They might prescribe antibiotics, but this will not cure a low-grade infection. In the worst case scenario doctors may suggest surgery, but this probably won't stop the infection and might cause other problems. What I suggest is that you try using a 100% saline solution in a metered spray bottle, or if you want to be a little more aggressive you can use 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in a 1\2 ounce metered spray bottle and then fill the rest of the bottle with purified water. Use one or two sprays in each side three or four times a day. You probably would not want to use the spray just before going to bed, because it will likely cause temporary swelling, but it shouldn't be a problem during the day. For fungal infections a little white vinegar can be added to the saline solution. I had exactly the same symptoms you describe and the sprays completely solved the problem for me. If you don't get all of the infection or become re-infected the problem could return, but all you need to do start using the spray again. And it doesn't seem to hurt anything if you use the spray less often to prevent infection. Sinus irrigation once or twice a week would probably also be helpful. And of course, a good diet, exercise, and enough sleep is will help your overall health. >I had exactly the same symptoms you describe and the sprays completely >solved the problem for me. If you don't get all of the infection or >become re-infected the problem could return, but all you need to do >start using the spray again. And it doesn't seem to hurt anything if >you use the spray less often to prevent infection. It's great to hear good news from people who have made good progress in dealing with sinusitis or rhinitis. I tend to agree with you, too, Larry, that low-grade infections often play a major role. They can be so low-grade that they will just be classified as inflammation. I think that that was my own case in part... >Sinus irrigation once or twice a week would probably also be helpful. >And of course, a good diet, exercise, and enough sleep is will help >your overall health. Okay but when you say turbinates you mean the right side as I stated one night. Then say the left turbinate the other night. Just want to make sure that it's not both turbinates causing the swelling on one side or the other. Also when you say due to allergies. How can i find out to what allergies they are due too. Plus when you say other reasons what other reasons. Would still love to hear other peoples opinions double post woops There is a theory that the turbinate's alternating swelling are an evolutionary 'gift' to keep us rolling over during sleep. Your list sounds 'exactly' like my symptoms. If I were you, i'd: a) Look into irrigations to keep your nasal passages clean and moist. Also, a pure saline nose spray during the day can help. I tend to get the bloody mucus during the winters when my heating system in my home dries the air out. b) Visit the ENT and decide if your degree of swelling could be helped by a steroidal nasal spray or one of the antihistimines. c) Consider identifying the allergies that are possibly causing your turbinates to swell to such a degree. When you get a cold, you need to be very aware of doing things to keep your sinuses open. If not, the mucus can get stagnant and develop into a nasty bacterial infection. You may be predisposed to this based on the symptoms you mention. > I was hoping some of the experts on this group could help me decipher > what my sinus problem is. So in advance I would like to thank all [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > 3. Now keep in mind it is always one nostril where the air cannot pass > through. Also it doesn't seem to have a preference of which side. Excellent. My ENT has a set of standard questions he asks patients, including whether the symptoms have a preference for one side. In your case, the answer is no, in which case my ENT would suggest either allergic rhinitis or non-allergic rhinitis should be investigated. As Don Brady has said, the nostrils alternate periodically in airflow, but you've got inflammation and swelling in there--both sides--so you're more conscious of it. If your symptoms are worse at night when you lie in bed, you may be allergic to something in your bed, like dust mites. You don't have to wait to see a doctor to check this out. In stores and on the Internet, they sell allergen-proof covers for your mattress and for your pillows. Try those and see if your condition improves. (Don't get the plastic vinyl ones; outgassing of fumes from those tends to bother me.) > 7. Also sometimes I will blow some bloody snot out. Especially > noticeable when I blow some not snot in the shower. This is however > not always the case as sometimes I will blow just normal disgusting > snot Another important question: What color is your snot when you blow your nose? (I'm talking about the non-bloody stuff)  SignatureSteven D. Litvintchouk Email: sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me. >Also sometimes I will blow some bloody snot > out. Especially noticeable when I blow some > not snot in the shower. This is however not > always the case as sometimes I will blow just > normal disgusting snot How hard are you blowing? ...I've had a number of flair-ups that I can directly attribute to blowing my nose a little too hard. ...Perhaps you may be aggravating your condition. ...I would suggest, avoid blowing. ..Jon |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.