Question: Is face swelling common with a sinus infection?
Answer: There are pairs of cheek sinuses (maxillary sinuses) and sinuses between the eyes (ethmoid sinuses), frontal sinuses above the eyes and sphenoid sinuses in the center of the head. They all drain into the nose and nasopharynx. Any or all of them can become infected. Those areas of the face that are overlying the sinuses can sometimes become swollen when the sinuses underneath are infected. The forehead can show some swelling when the frontal sinus is infected. The cheeks can be swollen when the maxillarysinuses are infected. The bridge of the nose can be swollen when the ethmoids are infected.
However, with most sinus infections, there is usually no visible swelling, and when it does occur it is minimal because the sinuses are separated from the face by bone. Much more common than swelling is tenderness when the skin over the infected sinus is touched or tapped. Very rarely, a sinus infection can break through the bone and produce significant facial swelling and redness of the skin. When this happens, an urgent trip to the physician or emergency room is necessary. Antibiotics and sometimes surgery are necessary to clear up the problem.
Michael Jones, MD, ear, nose, and throat specialist and medical staff member of West CalcasieuCameron Hospital
Question: Does drinking cola beverages increase my risk of osteoporosis?
Answer: Some research suggests that caffeine may make it difficult for the body to absorb calcium. But no direct link has been established. In addition, large amounts of caffeine act as a diuretic and may increase mineral loss, including calcium, in the urine. Research also suggests that the phosphoric acid in soda may contribute to bone loss by changing the acid balance in the blood.
If you do drink caffeinated soda, make sure you get adequate calcium and vitamin D from other sources in your diet. This may include calcium supplements. For most people, consuming moderate amounts of caffeine, about 300 milligrams a day, is safe.
Fran Landry, LDN, RD, director of nutrition services at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
Questions may be submitted to: Healthy Advice, 716 E. Napoleon St., Sulphur, LA 70663 or by emailing healthyadvice@wcch.com. Questions cannot be answered individually, but will be considered for publication. Please check with your physician for specific recommendations concerning your health concerns. This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Healthy Advice is a weekly column from West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.
