To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Colds and Allergies May Mask More Serious Sinus Infection, Survey Finds URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/DE96.htm Doctor's Guide November 19, 1996
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 19, 1996 -- Millions of Americans who think they have colds or allergies may actually be suffering from sinusitis, a more serious condition that requires medical therapy, according to a survey released today by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Consequently, many people do not see a doctor for treatment that can prevent future complications. The survey of more than 1,000 cold and allergy sufferers, conducted by Yankelovich Partners, found that almost one-third (29%) had three or more of the common symptoms of sinusitis, which if bacterial can only be treated effectively with prescription antibiotics. Sinusitis affects 35 million Americans annually. "Symptoms of sinusitis can mimic those of colds and allergies, so it takes an educated patient to tell the difference," said Jack Anon, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh College of Medicine, and chairman of the AAO-HNS Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus Disease Committee. "Sinusitis symptoms include facial pressure or pain, headache, thick yellow-green nasal discharge, bad breath, sore teeth or cold symptoms lasting more than 10 days. Anyone experiencing three or more of these symptoms should see a doctor." The survey findings indicate a large number of people do not know what sinusitis is, nor that it can be easily and quickly treated with a visit to the doctor. Nearly half of those surveyed (41%) had never even heard of sinusitis. Among those who claim to have had the infection, 78 percent were treating themselves with over-the-counter medications and more than a third (39%) said they never saw a physician. A companion survey of 200 primary care physicians, also released today by the AAO-HNS, found that more than half of doctors are concerned about self-treatment of sinusitis. "Self-treatment and failure to see a doctor will only prolong the infection and increase the chances of repeated infection which can lead to serious damage requiring surgery," said Dr. Anon. Successful sinusitis treatment requires a full course of antibiotic therapy; however, physicians believe that nearly 40 percent of patients fail to finish their prescriptions. Conversely, only 13 percent of patients surveyed admitted to not finishing their prescriptions. Some physicians believe the antibiotic itself may be causing problems. "Older antibiotics and those that treat only one of the bacteria that cause sinusitis can be less effective in curing the infection," said Dr. Anon. "As antibiotic resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae, the primary pathogen causing sinusitis, continues to increase, we will need better antibiotics to treat this infection." More than half of physicians surveyed echoed his call for improved antibiotics to treat the infection. Sufferers report trying more than 11 different medications over the years of treatment. Acute bacterial sinusitis occurs when sinus cavities become irritated and inflamed, often during a cold or allergy attack. The inflamed tissues prevent the sinuses from draining properly, causing congestion. Bacteria multiply in the blocked sinus, leading to infection. The survey found that sinusitis takes a heavy toll on sufferers' quality of life. The average sinusitis sufferer had three to four infections per year; more than one-third estimate they have had 20 or more infections in their lifetime. The average sufferer missed almost two days of work per infection. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The organization, based in Alexandria, Virginia, has more than 10,000 member physicians. The AAO-HNS is dedicated to advancing the art and science of medicine as it relates to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.