Sinus Infection Symptoms - Do I Have A Sinus Infection? From A Nurse

I often talk to people who don't know whether they have sinus infection symptoms or not

. Symptoms are not always the same for everyone. You may have different symptoms than your neighbor but still suffer from an infection.

Sinus infections can happen after suffering from a cold or while you're suffering from a cold. They can happen following exposure to an allergen or bacteria, viruses or fungi - mold. They're not contagious. People often think they have a cold or the flu instead of a sinus problem, which makes getting better from it take a lot longer because it's not been diagnosed or recognized as such.

The sinus cavities are positioned behind the cheekbones, eyebrows and jaw. They're filled with air. Normally about a quart of fluid moves through the sinus cavities every day. When your sinuses swell from exposure to allergens or organisms, then the mucus and fluid cannot move through the passages, becoming stagnant and forming a blockage and pressure. This blockage causes an infection. There are tiny hairs called cilia that line the sinus cavities. They push the mucus through and out through the nasal passages.

So once these passages are inflamed and blocked the cilia can't work properly and the passages become inflamed-- meaning you have an inflammation or a sinus infection. Any inflammation of the sinuses is called sinusitis, whether there is an infection or not.

The sinuses are sensitive to changes in the temperature or air pressure. And besides allergens, such as pollen and smoke, swimming and diving can cause an inflammation as well.

Because the symptoms can occur during a cold or during an allergic reaction, a sinus infection may not be diagnosed early. Since many of the symptoms can exist for a cold or flu it can be confusing.

One of the earliest symptoms you might notice is a slightly sore throat. Now this doesn't always happen but gargling with a little warm salt water is a good test. (1/2 measuring teaspoon to a cup of warm water.) If that relieves it then it's likely the irritation was caused by sinus drainage down the back of your throat. Drainage can be very irritating but hardly noticeable. It can creep up on you.

Yellow mucous or clumps are a sure sign or symptom of a sinus infection. Some of the other symptoms include pressure or even pain in the forehead, cheeks or nose, or a headache behind the forehead or on top of the head on the side. A toothache could actually be a sinus ache. Congestion of course. You might notice your sense of smell is off. You may notice you have bad breath or halitosis. You may notice more crusty stuff in your nose than usual.

You can generally get sinus pain relief and rid of an infection in a few days with the proper home sinus remedies or treatment. You want to use natural sinus care and not try to cure it with drugs, medicines or sinus medications that carry side effects and risks. Recent studies show that antibiotics are not likely to help, especially since most of the infections are not caused by bacteria. Yes, there is a lot you can do at home to get rid of your sinus infection and cure yourself.

by: Helen Hecker

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