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Bilateral Paranasal Sinus Disease

Bilateral paranasal sinus disease may sound like a very technical condition, but it is simply a form of chronic sinusitis (sinus infection). Bilateral paranasal sinus disease can typically be cured with prescribed medications and certain lifestyle practices. Once an individual has a good handle on the disease and how to prevent it, he can live free of discomfort and pain.

  1. Definitions

    • In order to properly understand what bilateral paranasal sinus disease is, it is necessary to define the terms in everyday language. Bilateral simply refers to the sinus disease being on both sides of the sinus cavity as opposed to unilateral, meaning one-sided. Paranasal refers to any area alongside or near the nose, including the sinuses. Sinus disease is another term used for chronic or reoccurring sinus infections.

    Types

    • There are three types of bilateral paranasal sinus disease: acute, chronic and reoccurring. Acute sinus disease is when a sinus infection occurs once in a while. It is random and only occurs a few times in a person's lifetime. Chronic bilateral paranasal sinus disease is a sinus infection that lasts for more than two months and is unresponsive to medication. Reoccurring bilateral paranasal sinus disease is a sinus infection that comes and goes consistently.

    Prevention

    • One of the best ways to prevent bilateral paranasal sinus disease is to practice a healthy lifestyle. Wash hands frequently, eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, sleep eight hours a night and reduce stress. A person should also take an over-the-counter decongestant at the first signs of nasal congestion. This will prevent the sinus cavity from getting irritating and swelling.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment for bilateral paranasal sinus disease is prescribed antibiotics, a decongestant and an expectorant. The antibiotics are used to kill the infection. The decongestant will reduce the swelling in the sinus cavity and restrict the sinuses from over-producing mucus. An expectorant will assist the body in properly draining the congested sinus cavity.

    Complications

    • If bilateral paranasal sinus disease goes untreated the infection can spread into other areas of the body such as the ears, the chest and even the brain. If at any time a person experiences bloody discharge from the nose, she should seek medical attention immediately as it can be a sign of a more severe condition.

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