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Sinusitis — sinus infection or inflammation — may be mistaken for a lingering cold. It may last only a couple of weeks, or it can linger for months, even years. And although it can be just a harmless irritation, sinusitis can lead to serious infections of adjacent bones and even the brain.

Sinusitis often mimics a cold — fever, fatigue, congestion, runny nose and sore throat. But it has a different cause and treatment.

A cold usually improves within a week and is all gone within 2 weeks. Typically, it doesn’t require medical attention. Sinusitis often lasts longer and is much more likely to need treatment. If you suspect you have a sinus infection, you should talk to your doctor.

Sinusitis is caused by anything that blocks sinus drainage or prevents cilia from sweeping properly. Predisposing factors for acute sinusitis include:

Colds — Most acute sinus infections develop when you’re getting over a head cold. You start to feel better, then get worse. Cold viruses don’t cause bacterial sinusitis, but they set the stage by causing your sinus openings to swell shut.

Allergies — When you breathe in substances to which you’re allergic, your nasal passages swell, which can block the openings between your sinuses and your nose.

Smoking — Tobacco smoke can interfere with the action of cilia, inhibiting mucus drainage. You’re more likely to have resistant bacteria and poor treatment results if you smoke.

Chronic sinusitis (as well as recurrent and lingering acute sinusitis) can stem from the same factors associated with acute sinusitis. The following often are found in chronic sinusitis:

Fungal infections — A specific type of chronic sinusitis is called allergic fungal sinusitis. Microscopic fungi are normally present in your nasal passages.

Nasal polyps — These fleshy, grape-like growths can block ostia and prevent sinus drainage.

An insufficient opening between your sinuses and your nose — Unusually small ostia prevent normal drainage of mucus from the sinuses.

A deviated septum — If the wall of cartilage that divides your nose isn’t straight and centered, mucus may not drain efficiently. A deviated septum can be congenital or the result of an injury.

Chronic sinusitis is a difficult diagnosis to make. It may take several tests for a doctor to decide what type of problem a person might have.

The following foods or ingredients likely contain milk:
* Milk, including fluid, condensed, evaporated, dry, and milk solids
* Butter, including artificial butter flavor, butter fat, ghee, buttermilk
* Hydrolysates (casein hydrolysates, milk protein hydrolysates, protein hydrolysates, whey or whey protein hydrolysates)
* Lactalbumin
* Chocolate, caramel, nougat
* Casein and caseinates (check labels)
* Lactoglobulin
* Rennet casein
* Cheese, including cream cheese, cottage cheese and cheese curds
* Lactose
* Simplesse
* Luncheon meats, hot dogs or sausages (check label)
* Cream, including half and half, non-dairy creamers (casein containing)
* Margarine
* Yogurt
* Some flavorings, including “natural” (check with manufacturer)
* Non-dairy items, including casein-containing coffee lighteners, whipped toppings, imitation cheeses, and frozen or soft serve dessert items

Note: When in doubt, check the label, ask the manufacturer, or talk with a registered dietitian.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis should begin with eliminating exposure to allergens. In cases where allergen exposure cannot be controlled, various medications are available to treat the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. These include antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mast-cell stabilizers, and corticosteroids.

Cromolyn sodium 4% ophthalmic solution (Opticrom) is an effective and relatively safe eyedrop. Optimal relief is achieved after 10 to 14 days of cromolyn therapy.

Ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 0.5% (Acular) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that controls itching by lowering the level of prostaglandins in tears.

Levocabastine hydrochloride (Livostin) is a type of eyedrop that is clinically effective and well-tolerated topically. Several studies indicate that levocabastine has efficacy similar to or better than cromolyn sodium. Limited data indicate that the efficacy of levocabastine is equivalent to that of oral loratadine (Claritin).

Lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% (Alomide) is a mast-cell stabilizer that prevents the release of histamines and leukotrienes.

Steroid eyedrops usually should be avoided in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. They are used to a limited extent in sight-threatening conditions, such as atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and should be administered by an ophthalmologist who will monitor the patient for possible side effects.