Sinus Cold Symptoms
Many people don't know the difference between a sinus infection and a common cold, yet millions of people suffer from sinusitis every year. Sinuses are air spaces in the human body that open into the nose to exchange air and mucus. When these air spaces get blocked or clogged, they are at risk of getting inflamed. Once they get inflamed, pain will accumulate in the affected sinus cavity. The pain will occur in the frontal sinuses (over the eyes in the brow area), the maxillary sinuses (inside each cheekbone), the ethmoid sinuses (just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes), or the sphenoid sinuses (behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes).
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Types
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There are three types of sinusitis you can encounter.
Acute sinusitis usually follows a common cold that swells the nasal passages. This swelling can block one or more of the sinus cavities and cause inflammation. The bacteria that resides within the cavity starts to multiply and causes an infection. Facial pain/pressure, nasal obstruction, thick and colored nasal discharge, fever and fatigue are common symptoms of acute sinusitis.
If you have frequent episodes of acute sinusitis or if your symptoms never completely go away, you may have chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is a condition that is common in people who have asthma or an allergic disorder. Cold symptoms that last three or more weeks signifies chronic sinusitis. You'll suffer from all the symptoms of acute sinusitis and possible pus in the nasal cavities, vomiting, and cold and flu symptoms.
If you have several sinus attacks during the year, you may suffer from recurrent sinusitis. The attacks are usually caused by an allergic reaction to varying weather conditions, dust, mites, mold, pollen and other allergens.
Identification
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Because your nose can get stuffy when you have a common cold, a sinus infection is commonly mistaken for a cold. There are a couple ways to tell the difference. A cold usually lasts about seven to 14 days and disappears without treatment. A sinus infection will last longer and typically causes more symptoms than just a cold. These symptoms are usually pain around the face and eyes and a thick, yellow or green mucus that persists over a week.
Your doctor can diagnose sinusitis by listening to your symptoms, doing a physical examination, and taking X-rays of the sinus cavity.
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Time Frame
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Acute sinusitis will last for 3 weeks or less.
Chronic sinusitis usually lasts for 3 to 8 weeks but can continue for months or even years.
Recurrent sinusitis is several acute attacks (3 weeks or less) within a year.
Symptoms
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There are several symptoms that will accompany a sinus infection. Facial pains, tenderness of the sinus areas, morning headaches, thick and colored (yellow or green) nasal discharge, cough (possibly itchy), bad breath, upper jaw pain, sore throat, general fatigue, eyes that are sensitive to light and swollen eye lids are the most common symptoms.
Causes
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Any condition that blocks off the sinus channels can cause a sinus infection. Most cases of acute sinusitis start with a common cold that leads to inflammation of the sinuses.
A fungal infection can also cause a sinus infection. Fungi can cause serious illness in people whose immune systems are not functioning properly.
Chronic inflammation of the nasal passages is another cause for sinusitis. Sinusitis also occurs more often in people who have reduced immune function (such as those with immune deficiency diseases or HIV infection).
Treatment
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When suffering from a sinus infection, your doctor may recommend several treatment options for you to combat the symptoms. You can use nasal decongestants to reduce congestion, antibiotics to control any bacterial infection, and pain relievers to reduce pain. If you have allergic disease along with infectious sinusitis, however, you may need medicine to relieve your allergy symptoms.
Prevention
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You may get some relief from your symptoms with a humidifier, particularly if air in your home is dry, and air conditioners can also help to provide an even temperature. If you suffer from allergies, try purchasing a filter that attaches to heating and air conditioning equipment and removes allergens from the air.
People that are prone to getting sinus disorders, especially if you have allergies, should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. And if you think that your sinus inflammation may be related to allergens, you should consult your doctor. Alcohol and chlorine can also irritate or swell the nasal passages for some people.
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