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Sinus infections can cause coughing due to nasal and sinus secretions irritating the respiratory tract. Coughing helps clear mucus, but if left untreated, the infection can worsen and require antibiotics. Allergies can also cause chronic sinusitis with recurring coughing. Symptoms include pressure, pain, and phlegm drainage, which can be mistaken for dental problems. Treatment includes antibiotics and decongestants.
The connection between a sinus infection and cough is in the nasal and sinus secretions that cause irritation to the upper airways and respiratory tract. The buildup of congestion and excess mucus can cause a runny nose. This often leads to a stinging cough or, in some cases, a dry cough.
Coughing is the body’s natural defense to rid the bronchial tubes and lungs of irritants and secretions. If you have sinusitis and cough, your throat, airways and lungs can become congested. Coughing helps clear the airways of mucus. This is why a productive cough that accompanies a sinus infection can actually help heal the body.
When the sinuses become inflamed and swollen due to sinusitis, more typically the patient will experience pressure, pain, and phlegm drainage. At the very least, this will produce an annoying runny nose. In an attempt to clear the lungs, the patient will cough. As a complication of a cold, a sinus infection and cough can persist for several weeks, even with treatment.
Experiencing these two conditions together is actually common. In some patients suffering from sinus infections, the cough may be very mild and non-productive. If you have a dry cough, a cough suppressant may be recommended. Cough drops containing menthol can soothe irritated passages and calm coughs associated with sinus infections. Many people find honey soothes the throat and helps relieve coughing due to sinusitis.
A sinus infection and cough can become serious if left untreated. In some cases, these conditions may occur after the individual has had a bad cold that slowly clears up. When the sinus passages swell and trap excess mucus, bacteria multiply and cause infection. If the patient develops fever and greenish-yellow phlegm or mucus, this typically requires a course of antibiotic treatment.
Some individuals suffering from seasonal allergies also develop cough and so-called chronic sinusitis. The chronic condition of sinusitis can last for two months when the individual suffers a flare-up. Recurring attacks of sinusitis, accompanied by cough or allergy-like symptoms, can recur throughout the year.
Sinus infections, with or without a cough, are sometimes misdiagnosed, as some of the symptoms mimic other conditions. For example, some individuals with a sinus infection may also experience earache and toothache. This is because the nerve endings in the head are closely connected.
The patient may mistakenly believe that a dental problem is the cause of his pain and delay proper treatment. In addition to fever, symptoms of a sinus infection may include yellowish discharge from the nostrils, sinus pressure, headache, or coughing up discolored phlegm. Some individuals may also experience an unpleasant taste in their mouth. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a doctor may recommend decongestants to shrink swollen membranes and promote free breathing.
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