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Sinus Infection Symptoms (Buffalo NY).
Sinusitis
Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is a medical condition where the tissue lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed, blocking air flow. Afflicting more than 29 million people each year, infection commonly results from a virus whereby fluid and germs develop inside the swollen nasal passageways. Sinus infection symptoms may be associated with structural issues like narrowed drainage anatomy.
Sinus infection symptoms often include headaches, coughing, and facial pain around the ears, back of the eyes, sinuses or forehead. Other symptoms like congestion can cause a distorted or diminished sense of smell, itching, and a runny nose. The whole body can be affected by sinusitis – with debilitating fatigue, fever, dental pain, swelling around the eyes, difficulty breathing & sleeping, and irritation of the throat.
The most common bacterial causes of sinus infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Triggers In Adults & Children
Various conditions like the common cold, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, immune deficiency, and allergic rhinitis can all cause inflammation of the sinuses. Fungus or bacteria may cause a sinus infection in rare cases, however it is typically caused by a virus and can persist even after other upper respiratory symptoms have subsided. Infections and smoking are the primary risks of sinusitis in adults.
With children, sinusitis can come about from pacifiers, allergies, environmental smoke and airborne illnesses. Bottle feeding while lying on the back is sometimes a contributing factor of sinusitis in babies.
Acute vs. Chronic Cases
Signs of acute sinusitis include multiple cold-like symptoms and a thick nasal discharge that is green or yellow in color. It may appear suddenly and last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Chronic sinusitis lasts more than 8 to 12 weeks or is reoccuring, and typically entails pus or an obstruction or blockage in the nasal cavity.
Diagnosis
Dr. Young will assess your sinus infection symptoms and provide a thorough physical to determine diagnosis. He may press upon your face to check for tenderness in the sinuses and tap your teeth to see if your sinuses are bothering you.
Points of Discomfort
When you have a sinus infection, pain and discomfort commonly occur below or between your eyes, behind or on either side of your nose, in your upper jaws and teeth, and forehead.
Headache
Pressure caused by the inflammation and swelling in your sinuses can lead to a painful and relentless headache. In the morning, sinus headaches are often at their worst because fluids have been collecting throughout the night during sleep. A sudden environmental change in temperature can also negatively affect a sinus headache.
Congestion
Sinusitis restricts your ability to breathe through your nose due to swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages. Nasal congestion can alter your sense of taste and smell, and may cause your voice to sound clogged.
Sore Throat
What may start as a pestering tickle can develop into an aching throat, due to postnasal drip. Sinusitis infections that linger for several weeks or more result in a painful sore throat from mucus that irritates and inflames the throat as it drips.
Persistent Cough
When sinus discharge drains down the back of your throat, it can cause irritation over time and result in intense coughing. Sleeping may be difficult because sinusitis coughs worsen when lying down.
Sinus Discharge
Infected sinuses are accompanied by a greenish-yellow discharge that drains into your nasal passageways and/or flows down your throat. The discharge may cause you to blow your nose frequently and experience itching or a phlegmy cough.
Sphenoid Sinus
The most dangerous infection of the sinuses is called Sphenoid Sinusitis. Sphenoid sinuses are located behind the skull, above the larynx and just beneath the pituitary gland. It is one of the most sensitive sinuses due to the connection between the optic nerve and the sinus itself.
To determine if an infection has reached the sphenoid, one will likely feel pain at the top of the head or back of the neck. It is not an easy location to penetrate, so it is difficult for bacteria or viruses to reach it.
A CT Scan can help assess the condition of the sphenoid sinus and look for cysts. Typically cysts are only considered harmful if they’re blocking the reproduction of healthy cells.
It is useful to be extremely aware of the symptoms of a potential sphenoid sinus infection so that any signs of a fungal infection can be prevented from spreading and contaminating healthy tissues. If there is progressive growth of the infection, neurological damage can occur and surgical operation may be needed.
Treatment
It’s important to visit your doctor when sinus infection symptoms arise, as many treatments and procedures are available. An ENT specialist can greatly assist to improve your health and treat acute and chronic cases of sinusitis.
For short term relief of acute sinusitis, you can use a nasal spray and antihistamine or decongestant medicine. To relieve dryness and clear your sinuses, a mixture of saline and baking soda may help. Note that continuous, prolonged use of decongestant sprays (for more than a couple weeks) is not recommended as it can worsen symptoms.
To treat chronic sinusitis, antibiotics are typically prescribed. Your doctor can determine if allergies are causing your sinusitis; if so, immunotherapy shots or similar treatments may be advised. In less common and more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
To help prevent you from getting sinusitis, keep your sinuses moist and clear, maintain excellent hygiene, avoid fried and starchy foods as well as dairy, and contact your doctor immediately if symptoms are noticed.
Sinus Infection Symptoms in Buffalo, NY
When symptoms persist, worsen, or don’t resolve after a few days, seek the advice of a specialist. Most issues can be managed with medical therapy. ENT specialists closely examine the sinuses and recommend surgery if severe blockages or chronic infections are detected.
Those who experience sinus infection symptoms in Buffalo, New York count on Dr. Paul Young and his team to carefully address their needs and treat Ear, Nose & Throat conditions with excellent care.
More information about Sinusitis from Wikipedia.