Contributed by- Healthians Team
Have you ever had a cold that just wouldn’t go away and you were feeling achy and tired simultaneously? Or you catch a common cold too frequently and despite taking antibiotics symptoms are not relieved. People usually mistake sinus infections as common cold and the lack of awareness can lead to serious repercussions. Read on, to know more about sinus infection and how you can deal with it.
What is a sinus infection?
Sinuses are the holes or the cavities inside the skull, specifically the air spaces around the nose and eyes. Sinuses exist in symmetrical sets or pairs. The frontal sinuses are located in the upper two corners over the eyes in the forehead. The maxillary sinuses are located in the lower two corners next to your nose and extend down the upper cheeks and above the teeth. Ethmoid sinuses are just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, whereas sphenoid sinuses are located in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes.
The sinuses produce bodily fluid, which is a streaming fluid that secures the body by catching and keeping germs away. In some cases, microorganisms or allergens can cause an excessive amount of bodily fluid to get collected, which impedes the openings of your sinuses.
Abundant quantities of bodily fluid are normal if you have a cold. This bodily fluid development can promote the growth of microscopic organisms or different germs in your sinus cavity and leads to a bacterial or viral infection.
What are the symptoms of sinus infections?
The symptoms of sinus infections depend on the location of your sinus pain and determine which sinus is affected.
- Headache, when you wake up in the morning, is typical of a sinus problem.
- Pain, when your forehead over the frontal sinuses is touched, may indicate that your frontal sinuses are inflamed.
- Infection in the maxillary sinuses can cause your upper jaw and teeth to ache and your cheeks to become soft to the touch.
- Since the ethmoid sinuses are near the tear ducts in the corner of the eyes, inflammation of these cavities often causes swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes.
- Ethmoid inflammation can also cause tenderness when the sides of your nose are touched, a loss of smell, and a stuffy nose.
Other symptoms of sinusitis can include:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Cough
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
What are the types of sinus infections?
There are two types of sinus infections i.e. acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. Let’s discuss what they are and what are the symptoms.
Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis, also called acute rhinosinusitis, is caused by a short-term inflammation of the membranes that line your nose and surrounding sinuses. This impedes your ability to drain mucus from your nose and sinuses. Sometimes, fungal infections can cause acute sinusitis. In acute sinusitis, cold or the sinus inflammation can last between 1 and 2 weeks. Symptoms of acute sinusitis include-
- Facial pain or pressure
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Loss of smell
- Cough or congestion
Chronic sinusitis:
When the tissues inside your sinuses become inflamed and blocked for a long period due to swelling and mucus buildup, chronic sinusitis can develop. If you have asthma, you may develop chronic sinusitis. If you are allergic to airborne allergens, such as dust, mould, and pollen, which trigger allergic rhinitis, you may also develop chronic sinusitis. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis can last up to 3 months. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
- The feeling of congestion or fullness in your face
- Nasal obstruction or nasal blockage
- Pus in the nasal cavity
- Fever
Who is at risk of sinus infections?
Certain health conditions and risk factors can increase the chances of developing a sinus infection. People at the risk of sinus infections are those who –
- Have a history of allergies
- Have recently come in contact with mould
- Have a weak immune system
- Smoke a lot
- Have a recent upper respiratory infection
- Have cystic fibrosis
- Have dental infection
[Also read: Sinusitis and Weather Changes – What is the relation?]
How can a sinus infection be diagnosed?
To diagnose a sinus infection, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and order a physical examination. He/she may check for pressure and tenderness by pressing a finger against your head and cheeks. They may also examine the inside of your nose to look for signs of inflammation.
In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a sinus infection based on your symptoms and the results of physical exams such as X-rays, MRI or CT scan.
How can it be treated?
After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, a doctor can suggest treatments that will reduce your inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
If you have acute sinusitis, your doctor may recommend-
- Decongestants to reduce congestion
- Antibiotics to control a bacterial infection, if present
- Pain relievers to reduce any pain
There are some other things which can manage the symptoms of chronic sinusitis:
- Inhaling steam from a vaporizer or a hot cup of water can soothe inflamed sinus cavities.
- Saline nasal spray, which you can buy in a drug store, can give relief.
- You can gently apply heat over the inflamed area for comfort.
Doctors commonly prescribe steroid nasal sprays to reduce inflammation in chronic sinusitis.
How can it be prevented?
Because sinus infections can develop after a cold, flu, or allergic reaction, a healthy lifestyle and reducing your exposure to germs and allergens can help prevent infection. To reduce the risk, you can:
- Get a flu vaccine shot every year.
- Eat healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit your exposure to smoke, chemicals, pollen, and other allergens
If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, it’s possible to pass that virus to other people. Take the above precautions to prevent sinus infections and wash your hands regularly as much as possible to limit the exposure to the virus. Stay safe and stay healthy.
