What happens if you don treat sinusitis

This can lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis or brain abscess, Dr. But he emphasizes that such complications are unlikely. If the condition lingers or worsens, call your doctor. Understand bacterial vs.

Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. What happens if you let a sinus infection go untreated? According to Dr. Garrett Bennett in New York , untreated sinus infections can travel to the eyes, which tend to be more common in children. Maybe the idea of permanent eye damage? The most frightening thing that can happen, although rare, is an infection in the brain.

Once there, it can cause damage and even death. The lesson here is that untreated sinus infections are nothing casual that should be ignored. Seeking medical help and receiving antibiotics is the most common way of getting rid of them, but if you suffer from something like chronic sinusitis , then there are more extensive treatments like sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty. While the early institution of antibiotic therapy can help address the problem, sinusitis complicated by meningitis may still pose a serious threat.

A chronic sinus infection can often lead to the collection of pus aka abscess in a potential space between the outer and middle layers of your meninges the subdural space , defining a condition known as the subdural abscess. Subdural abscess gives rise to signs and symptoms that resemble meningitis, along with changes in mental status, such as confusion and irritability.

T he condition progresses rapidly and calls for prompt diagnosis, treatment, and often surgical drainage to stave off coma and death from the rapidly rising pressure within your brain. The frontal bone is a bone of your skull that occupies the forehead region. Osteomyelitis is an infection of a bone.

When infection from your frontal sinuses extend to the bones in which they lie, signs and symptoms that mimic meningitis arise. Thanks to the antibiotic era, owing to which we rarely see cases of frontal bone osteomyelitis today. The key is timely diagnosis and treatment. A brain abscess is a localized collection of pus within your brain substance.

It occurs because of the direct spread of infection from your paranasal sinuses. As is obvious, brain abscess is a potentially lethal condition that can lead to coma and death if not addressed right away. Untreated sinus infection can take a heavy toll on your wellbeing. The good news is that with advancements in medical and surgical treatments today, almost all complications of sinusitis are preventable.

These symptoms include fever, runny or blocked nose, congestion, facial pain, and tenderness. A plethora of medical and lifestyle options are available to help address a sinus infection. Most patients report a long-term, significant improvement in their sinus symptoms. Our ear, nose, and throat doctors and surgeons will make sure you get the treatment you need to find relief and avoid potentially serious complications.

Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only. What is a sinus infection? What are the different types of sinus infections? In the short term, a sinus infection can cause a long list of symptoms, including the following: Congestion Post-nasal drip Facial pain Headache Bad breath Coughing Fatigue Reduced sense of smell or taste What happens if a sinus infection is left untreated?

A sinus infection can spread to the eyes, causing redness, swelling, and reduced vision.