Barosinusitis: Sudden facial pain and pressure

Causes of barosinusitis: Air pressure and sinus inflammation

Barosinusitis (also known as aerosinusitis) symptoms include the sudden facial pain or pressure, congestion, and, in some instances, a nose bleed. In severe cases, these symptoms can incapacitate the sufferer.

Like sinusitis, barosinusitis involves the inflammation or swelling of the lining of one or more sinuses. The cause of this swelling is a change in air pressure - such as can occur when flying, scuba diving, or traveling through high altitude areas, such as mountains.

For certain professions that require air travel, the onset of barosinusitis can be particularly debilitating and life altering.p>

Barosinusitis diagnosis

Typically, barosinusitis is diagnosed based on patient interview and elimination of other alternatives. Physical evidence of barosinusitis, such as thickening of the nasal lining, can be confirmed with CT scans.

Barosinustis treatment options

Initial treatment for barosinusitis is medication therapy for symptoms - non-aspirin based pain killers to address discomfort, decongestants, and antibiotics to avoid or eliminate sinus infection. For those who suffer from repeated episodes of barosinusitis, surgery may be an option. In particular, some research has shown that barosinusitis patients who do not have a history of allergies or nasal polyps might benefit from surgery.