Sinus Problems Information

Sinus problems information – if you’re experiencing symptoms that seems like a cold for more than what you’d consider a normal period of time.  Are you are having restless nights, and waking up with headaches etc.?  You have to ask yourself, if this a common cold or is it possibly a sinus infection?  And would you know the difference?  Or even what sinuses are?

The skeletal structure behind the nose and the front of the head include several cavities, which are normally just filled with air, and are more commonly referred to as “Paranasal sinuses”. These divided further into sub-groups as follows: maxillary sinuses (under the eyes), frontal sinuses (forehead), ethmoid sinuses (between the nose and the eyes) & sphenoid sinuses (center of the skull base under the pituitary gland). When infection and inflammation exists in these voids, we call this condition sinusitis.  There are several factors that can bring this on including; an allergic reaction to any number of things, a virus, bacterial infection, and mold (fungi).  A disturbing 15 – 20% of people in the US alone, are afflicted with the chronic sinusitis condition, meaning it stays around for a period of 3 weeks or longer.

The large majority of individuals experiencing sinusitis write it off as a cold or one of a variety of other medical conditions. This is because it generates such a wide variety of symptoms.  And many of these indicators are very similar to what you suffer with a cold.  Some of the common complaints include:

• Constant streaming nose
• Stuffed-up nose (congestion)
• Post nasal drip
• Heaviness around the nose and face
• Opaque or clear mucus
• Wheeze or cough (which is often worse during the night)
• Painful or tender throat
• Aching teeth
• Sore head
• Tenderness around the face
• Higher than normal temperatures.

And if that’s not a complete enough list, how about:

• Fatigue
• Losing your voice
• Bad breath
• Losing the ability to smell
• Clogged ears?

And since symptoms differ so much from one person to another and illness to illness, some will experience one or several of these conditions, while an unlucky few may have them all!  One individual may even experience different symptoms from one case of sinusitis to the next.  A few grumble of pressure around the eyes but also pressure around the nose area too.  Night time is very often when the sinusitis victim suffers the most.  You see, when we are active during the day, the cavities which are filled with mucus have the opportunity to drain, simply because of gravity.  But during the night when our head is lying horizontally on the pillow, mucus can’t drain and therefore causes that plugged, pressure feeling when we wake.

The main difference with a sinus infection is that it normally requires to be taken care of with whole variety of medications, including prescription nasal sprays and antibiotics, and sometimes decongestants to help the mucus thin and start to exit.  Other helpful initiatives that are quite common are: using a vaporizer in the evening, nasal irrigation, and taking aspirin (if you can stomach it).  Also, treating a sinus infection should start as early as possible, because waiting two to three weeks after the initial symptoms show, can see this condition become chronic.  The longer you delay attacking sinus problems, the harder they are to treat, you’ll be more likely to see complications, and subsequently there’s a bigger likelihood of surgery being required, instead of treatment using drugs.

The most effective course of action for sufferers is to understand the symptoms they experience and to know what’s happening in their bodies.  You’ve probably heard it again and again where people refuse to go see the doctor for just a ‘common cold’.  As we discussed earlier, the symptoms you’re experiencing may not simply be a cold and it’s sometimes better to be safe than sorry.