Your sinuses are four pairs of air-filled cavities in your skull and face bones around your nose. Allergies, infections, chemicals and irritation from particulates can cause the lining of these cavities to become inflamed. This inflammation can prevent your sinuses from draining properly and lead to an infection known as sinusitis. Understanding the symptoms of a sinus infection can help you seek treatment in a timely manner.
Understanding Your Sinus Cavity
There are four pairs of sinus cavities, located…
- In your forehead (frontal sinus)
- Behind your cheeks (maxillary sinus)
- Between the eyes (ethmoid sinuses)
- Behind the ethmoid sinuses (sphenoid sinus)
Sinuses help decrease the weight of your skull. They are also responsible for adding humidity and warmth to the air, improving your voice and insulating your nerves. The mucus lining in the sinus cavities helps protect your nose from dust, dirt and debris, including pollutants and germs.
Understanding Sinus Infections
A sinus infection occurs when the sinus cavity cannot drain properly due to inflammation. The buildup of mucus and other fluids is a breeding ground for bacteria, which will lead to an infection.
There are two types of sinus infections: acute and chronic. Acute sinus infections last between ten days and eight weeks, while chronic sinus infections can least even longer, with many experiencing symptoms for months.
16 Symptoms of a Sinus Infection
There are a number of sinus infection symptoms, many of which are similar to that of the common cold. The 16 most common sinus infection symptoms include:
- Headache
- Facial tenderness/swelling
- Pain and facial pressure
- Fever
- Congestion/nasal stuffiness
- Post-nasal drip
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Ear pain
- Eye pain
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
- Itching/sneezing
- Nasal drainage
Sinus Infection Treatment
Your sinus infection treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial sinus infections, the most common kind. Since overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, only those whose symptoms last longer than seven to ten days will prescribed this treatment.
Nasal decongestant sprays can help decrease inflammation but should only be used for three to four days.
If your sinus inflammation is caused by an allergic reaction, antihistamines can help fight allergy symptoms and decrease swollen sinus passages. To learn more about identifying your sinus infection symptoms or to schedule an appointment with an ENT, contact Foothills ENT and Allergy and Hearing Center today.