SINUS & SINUS ATTACK IN CHILDREN

Sinus And Sinus Attack In Children

What seems like common cold the first time its symptoms appear may actually turn out to be a
case of sinus attack. Just like when they contract the cold virus, children cough, sneeze or get
red noses when sinus attack hits them. What makes sinus attack different from common cold is
the length of time the affliction wears itself out. It takes victims--young and old--a longer time to
recover from sinusitis than from common cold.

The bones in our head and face have blank niches or spaces filled with air, called sinuses.
Sinuses can be found at the back of the nasal cavity, on both sides of the nose, inside the
forehead, behind both and in between eyes. Sinuses come in pairs; there are normally four
pairs in each person. They start showing as early as the first few months of conception; they
continue to develop until late adolescent age.

Why our bodies need to develop sinuses is not clear to many. However, scientific studies
suggest that sinuses make us feel less burdened by the weight of our head due to the light air
that fills them. Scientists say that if anything solid were to take the place of the air pockets, our
heads will become much heavier. Sinuses are also believed to enhance the depth and tone of
our voice. For example, our voices often sound differently when we are suffering from common
cold or, worse, sinus attack.

Sinuses cover themselves with moist and thin layers of tissue called mucous membrane. This
membrane makes it possible to add moisture to the air that comes in through normal breathing.
They likewise secrete a gooey liquid called mucus that fills parts of the nose, also known as
snot. This liquid serves to collect dust and germs that fly in the air before they can go farther
inside the body.

Mucus membranes of sinuses surrounding the nasal area grow tiny hairs or cilia. These hairs
sway in ways that facilitate mucus flow in and out of the nose. The cilia are disabled and the
back flow of the mucus gets disrupted when a person contracts the cold virus. This explains why
persons with cold develop symptoms like runny nose and clogged nasal cavities. The infection
causes the swelling of mucus lining within the nasal area. This prevents the tiny passages
between the sinuses and nose from working properly, effectively trapping more mucus within
the sinuses. The immobile mucus becomes a friendly host for the virus, fungi and bacteria to
breed.

Prolonged conditions stretching up to two weeks mean that the cold virus infection has
worsened to become a sinus infection. Acute sinusitis describes an infection that drags on for
more than two weeks. Beyond this period--stretching beyond three months--the ailment is called
chronic sinusitis. Due to their less developed immune systems, children are at greater risk of
getting hit by sinus attacks than adults.

Symptoms of sinusitis include bad breath, mild fever, daytime cough, puffy eyes, and incessant
nasal discharge. There are children who also show signs of crankiness, physical exhaustion,
and pain in various parts of the head.

Doctors who treat children suffering from symptoms of sinusitis normally check, apart from
sinuses, the nose, throat, and ears for infection. They tap or press lightly the patient's forehead
and cheeks. They prescribe antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria. This medication
normally takes effect within days after taking the dosage. But in cases of chronic sinusitis,
patients need to take the dosage for a longer period of time to ensure total removal of bacteria.
Decongestants or nasal sprays dry up blocked or runny nose.

Children in particular should not cease from taking the medication until their conditions
completely improve. Doctor's advice, particularly when patients are not showing any
improvement for an unusually prolonged period of time, is necessary. The doctor may
recommend sinus CT scan for the afflicted child. Surgery is an option.

If anything good can be said about sinusitis, it is this: The infection is not contagious. Unless
discomforts are such that they are keeping the infected child from moving about, he or she may
continue going to school or mingling with friends without fear of contaminating anyone. What the
child needs to avoid are allergies and environmental pollutants. This will at least reduce the
risks of going down with the infection--again.