What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis can often be triggered by allergies as well as a viral or bacterial infection. These all can cause inflammation in your sinuses. This inflammation leads to excess mucus production and swelling of the soft tissue in your sinuses, resulting in symptoms like:
- Nasal congestion
- Facial pain
- Thick, discolored mucus
- Postnasal drip
- Ear pain
- A sore throat and bad breath
- Cough
Your quality of sleep may decrease because it becomes difficult to breathe when lying down, and as a result, you may feel persistent fatigue and find it difficult to concentrate.
What causes sinusitis?
Colds can often lead to sinusitis because you’re more likely to touch your nose frequently, which introduces bacteria to your sinuses. Excess mucus and inflamed sinus tissues trap the bacteria in your sinuses where it multiplies and creates an infection.
Sinusitis can also be linked to:
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Nasal allergies
- Cystic fibrosis
- Acid reflux disease
- Nasal polyps
- Physical abnormalities like a deviated septum
You’re more likely to get sinusitis if you have asthma, allergies, or an immune problem that prevents your body from efficiently fighting off infections.
What is the difference between sinusitis and a cold?
Sinusitis and colds cause many similar symptoms. However, colds tend to go away after a week to 10 days, while sinusitis can last for weeks. Symptoms of a sinus infection also tend to be more severe.
How are sinus infections treated?
At Clear Allergy, Dr. Marks-Cogan and Dr. Tachdjian create custom treatment plans to address the severity of your sinus symptoms. Because sinusitis is often due to a bacterial infection, they may recommend a course of antibiotics. Sinusitis is often also due to underlying allergies, thus they may recommend allergy testing to further evaluate your symptoms.
You may also benefit from prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays to reduce the inflammation in your nasal passages and saline sprays to improve drainage and rinse away irritants.
If you suspect you have a sinus infection or have sinusitis pain that’s lasted for more than 10 days, call Clear Allergy or book an appointment online for expert diagnosis and treatment.
