Most sinus infections cause no serious health complications, but in this article, we discuss 16 of the most common symptoms, including headaches, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes.
KAMPALA | LIFESTYLE UGANDA (http://lifestyleuganda.com/) — Generally, a sinus infection is not associated with any serious health complications, however, in this article, we list the most common sinus infection symptoms, including sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.
- Sinuses are found just inside your nose, and they drain into your sinuses.
- Sinuses may become infected due to an infection from bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
- This article covers the 16 symptoms of sinus infection and how to treat it.
- Check out also, 5 foods that boost your immune system.
- Learn how to prevent Bad Breath by checking out the most common causes.
In medical terms, a sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Sinuses get infected when certain types of bacteria or viruses get into the opening of your nasal cavity.
Your immune system normally keeps your sinuses infection-free, but if you develop an immune deficiency, your body doesn’t work properly to keep your sinuses infection-free.
These are the symptoms of a sinus infection
- Headache.
- Itchy nose.
- Itchy or watery eyes.
- Nasal congestion.
- Sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
- Sore throat.
- Feeling sick to your stomach.
- Chest pain.
- Gastrointestinal pain.
- Heartburn.
- Fever.
- Tiredness.
- Swelling in your nose.
- Tiredness.
- Irritability.
- Fast Heartbeat.
Headache
A sinus headache usually gets worse the next morning because fluid has collected all night. You can tell if this is the case by putting ice on your sinuses to constrict the blood vessels and slow down the drainage.
Don’t try to use ice directly on your face or sinuses because it can cause a facial burn. Also, make sure to avoid the heat if you are considering using a cold pack.
Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and keep a bottle of water at your bedside to help ease your headache in the morning.
You can also try using non-drowsy over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Excedrin, or natural remedies like taking a Tylenol/ acetaminophen combination or an over-the-counter supplement with magnesium.
Usually, some painkillers or other substances can help your symptoms for a few hours before the headache returns.
Nasal congestion
Due to nasal congestion, you may need to blow your nose often when you have a sinus infection. The congestion may be cloudy, green, or yellow. This clear fluid that drips out of your nostril may be mixed with mucus, pus, blood, or watery, yellow bile.
The result of this can be a “gunked up nose.” Sinuses generally feel sore and infected, with inflamed glands and a swollen nose. Due to the inflammation, your eyes may be bloodshot, or you may see spots and rainbow-coloured spots on your lenses.
If a cough accompanies your symptoms, you may have a common cold, which usually has the same symptoms as a sinus infection. A cold virus cannot live longer than four hours outside your body.
How to treat sinus infections
To get rid of a sinus infection, doctors usually recommend that you take antibiotics that target the specific type of bacteria that’s causing the infection. As your doctor and antibiotics work to kill the bacteria and viruses in your sinus, you may notice a relief of symptoms.
Sinusitis often disappears completely in two or three days, so the next day you may notice no symptoms of a sinus infection.
The most effective and safest way to get rid of a sinus infection is to take antibiotics for at least seven to 10 days. Antibiotics are often needed for a few days to be effective. Make sure you take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Some people have to take antibiotics for much longer to eliminate sinus infections.
But, if your infection gets worse, you need to take your antibiotic prescription, which can be given as oral antibiotic tablets or oral liquid antibiotics, such as Zithromax. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic that you can take by mouth for up to five days.
Your doctor will monitor your progress and your symptoms so you can avoid taking your antibiotic and also keep you on your antibiotic for the recommended time.
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