Sinus Infection Symptoms
Many people throughout the US suffer with all kinds of sinus related problems such as colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Some sinus infection symptoms resemble the symptoms a person has when they have a cold or allergy problems. However, a sinus infection will not heal itself and go away in a few days like a cold or allergies. A sinus infection may occur after you have had a cold or during allergy season, if your sinuses cannot fight off the bacteria that is prone to stick to the lining of your nasal passages.
Sinus infections develop when there is inflammation or blockage in the sinus cavities stopping free-flowing breathing. Your sinuses normally product mucus, which aids in cleaning and moistening your nose and throat, but when a blockage or swelling occur the sinuses cannot move the mucus, thus bacteria can develop in the lining of the sinuses.
Sinuses are located in the forehead, on both sides of the nose, and behind and in-between the eyes. The pressure and pain that is normally associated with allergies or colds is also present in a sinus infection. The pain is from the build up of mucus that cannot move thus causing the unpleasant pressure.
The major sinus infection symptoms that most people complain of include headache, pain in the upper jaw, tooth aches, tenderness around the nose, pressure around the forehead, soreness in the cheekbone area, pain or pressure around the eyes, swelling around the eyes, ear ache, ear infection, tiredness, weakness, fatigue, fever, cough, runny nose, or congestion.
Unlike a cold or allergies, you will need medication to fight off the infection. Once your doctor has examined you and determined that you have the sinus infection symptoms and that you do in fact, have an infection he can prescribe medication to fight the infection. Just because you begin antibiotic therapy, does not necessarily mean that the symptoms will totally disappear overnight. You may still need other medications to aid in the ridding your body of the sinus infection symptoms until the antibiotic has cleared up the infection. Some of the most common medications to help with the symptoms include nasal sprays and/or decongestants.
You should talk with your doctor about ways to prevent sinus infection symptoms such as using a humidifier. If the sinus infection was brought on from allergies, then you may wish to talk with about medication to help with your allergy symptoms to avoid a sinus infection as well.