Sinus infections are often caused by colds or allergies and can cause symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose, pain, post-nasal drip, sore throat, and runny nose. Medications can help relieve symptoms, but if they persist or worsen, a visit to the doctor may be necessary.
The most common symptoms of sinus infection are headache, stuffy nose, pain, post-nasal drip, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes a throbbing sensation that gets worse when you cough or sneeze. The pain may be present in one or more locations, depending on where the infection is. Other symptoms may be present, although these are usually from a disease other than the infection itself.
A sinus infection usually occurs during or after another illness, such as the common cold or seasonal allergies. Symptoms may include a stuffy nose combined with intense pressure and pain in one or more locations on the face and head. Common areas where pain can occur include directly above the nose, below the eyes, upper cheeks, and sometimes the forehead. The pain may intensify when you cough or sneeze and then subside almost immediately afterwards. In some cases, the ears may become clogged or pressure may radiate to the ears from the nasal region.
Sometimes sinus infection symptoms can range beyond the nasal cavity. A runny nose can drain downward and aggravate the delicate tissues in the throat or tonsils. This can cause swelling and severe sore throat. Many times, even the symptoms originating from the initial illness may still be present. These can include frequent sneezing, fever, fatigue, itchy throat and watery eyes. Colds and allergies are the most common causes of sinus infection, but sometimes another disease can be to blame.
Medications can be taken to help relieve sinus infection symptoms. This can include over-the-counter pain medications or prescription drugs to kill some infections. Antibiotics may be helpful for bacterial sinus infections, but viral strains won’t be relieved with medication. In most cases, sinus infections clear up on their own without any treatment being needed. Rest is recommended to speed recovery.
If sinus infection symptoms persist or worsen over time, a visit to the doctor may be warranted. Another medical condition may be causing the symptoms, or an underlying disease may be contributing to the infection. Allergies are a common cause of sinus infections and can usually be treated with antihistamine medications to reduce symptoms.
Patients can decipher between cold and sinus infection symptoms by determining where and for how long the illness has been present. Colds often cause similar nasal symptoms, but these should go away within a few days to a week. If this does not happen or the symptoms worsen during this time, the cause could be an infection. In most cases, sinus infections do not cause long-term difficulties. Infections that recur or don’t go away within two weeks can signal an immune disorder or other underlying disease.
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