Suffering With Sinus Infection Symptoms?
Only you know what you’re going through. The symptoms you experience as the result of a sinus infection, which may differ in type and severity from what someone else is experiencing.
What’s important to determine is if your symptoms are the result of sinus infections. Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, are often confused for a common cold. A cold, unlike sinusitis, is not caused by a bacterial infection. Sinus infections, which can be viral, fungal, or bacterial, should be treated immediately to prevent further damage to your health. You also need to determine the cause of the sinus infection. An Ear Nose and Throat doctor, also known as an ENT, is the specialist to make this determination.
Sinus infections are not permanent but can last weeks or even months, and their impact on your life can be substantial. When a single sinus infection is followed by several others or lasts for several weeks, a more significant issue, such as recurrent or chronic sinusitis is present.
What is sinusitis and when should you see an ENT specialist?
Your sinuses are air-filled pockets behind the bones in your cheeks and forehead. Sinuses and your nose, in general, produce 1.5 liters of clear mucus throughout the day. Mucus humidifies the air you breathe and flushes inhaled airborne particles down your throat. When drainage is blocked, much like a slow drain in your bathroom, excessive bacteria grows and causes infections. When these sinus issues occur, it is time to see an ENT Specialist.
There are multiple forms of sinus infections, including acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and recurrent sinusitis. Chronic and recurrent are the most troubling forms of sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is present when a sinus infection lasts at least 12 weeks. Sinus symptoms responding favorably to antibiotics and steroids and then recurs within several weeks after completing medication may be diagnosed as recurrent sinusitis.
If you are observing thick mucus coming out of your nose, a plugged nose, or pain in your cheeks or forehead, you may have sinusitis.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
As mentioned above, sinusitis varies in symptoms and intensity but should be taken seriously. To determine if you have sinusitis, consult with an otolaryngologist, also known as an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.
If what you are experiencing is sinusitis, you can expect some or all of the following symptoms:
- Frequent sinus infections lasting more than a few weeks each time
- Nasal congestion - difficulty breathing through your nose
- Fatigue from sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring
- Sinus headache
- Reduced sense of smell or taste
- Post nasal drip
- Ear pain
- Cough that gets worse at night
- Hoarse throat and/or soreness
- Halitosis (bad breath)
In addition to the toll sinus symptoms can take on your health, you may also suffer financial consequences. These may result in:
- Missed work
- Frequent physician visits
- Medication
- Additional healthcare costs
Don’t let the symptoms of a sinus infection affect both your health and your finances. Take the first step towards understanding your condition and resolve your issue by scheduling an appointment today with the North Texas Sinus Center.
What Impact Are Sinus Infections Having on Your Life?
You've suffered for years with recurring sinus infections. The stuffy nose, bad breath, congestion, pain and pressure simply don't seem to go away. You're out of options for relief on your own. Time for a change!
Evaluate your symptoms to find out if you're a candidate for a procedure called Balloon Sinus Dilation, which greatly reduces the suffering experienced by chronic sinus patients.
Chronic Sinus and Nasal Congestion sufferers come to North Texas Sinus Center from Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Plano, Wichita Falls, and beyond.
Before coming to us, many patients have tried many medications, sinus infection remedies, immunotherapy, and more. They have found that these options can ease symptoms temporarily, reducing the impact a single sinus infection, but they do little to reduce the likelihood of the next one, and the one after that.
