Sinus Infections

Spring is in the air and that means sinus infections are going to be back in season soon. Many people do not know when they have a sinus infection due to the symptoms. The symptoms begin as the common cold. The pain becomes more intense when gone untreated. People need to know when they have a sinus infection so that treatment and relief can be found quickly. It is estimated that about 370 million Americans suffer from sinus infections each year, according to sinusinfectioncenter.com. Many people have to stay home from work and as many as five hundred thousand have sinus surgery each year. According to Barnett R. Kantz, a staff physician from Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, a sinus infection is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages which can cause pressure between the eyes, nose, cheeks or even teeth. The pain is uncomfortable and headaches usually occur because the sinuses have become blocked by bacteria. According to an article from entnet.org, other symptoms include a thick, yellow-green discharge from the nose, bad breath, a low temperature ranging from ninety-nine to one hundred degrees, fatigue, eye sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids and a sore throat . If cold or flu symptoms last more than a week and there are other symptoms such as a stuffy nose and headache, a sinus infection may be present and should be checked by a doctor.The two sinus infections that most often occur are acute or chronic sinusitis. Both categories have four major areas of potential infection: the ethmoid, maxillary, frontal and sphenoid sinusitis. Each of the areas and the symptoms located there will depict whether the infection is acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis is the most common sinus infection that can occur three times a year. According to sinusinfocenter.com, acute sinusitis requires antibiotic treatment to cure the infection. Because the symptoms of sinusitis and a cold can be identical and alternative medicine is used, the infection may not be cured. If the sinus symptoms do not improve after five to seven days, it is likely that the infection is caused by bacteria and will respond to an antibiotic. Chronic sinusitis symptoms can be difficult to treat because treatment may require the coordinated efforts of several specialists to treat all of the aspects of the infection. Although treating chronic sinusitis is similar to the treatment of acute sinusitis, the antibiotics may not be enough. If the antibiotics fail, allergy testing may be used. It is now believed that chronic sinusitis may be caused by a fungus due to exposure to antibiotics, mold or fungus in the environment. There are several different types of fungal sinusitis and all may become serious if left untreated. This type of infection may also require surgery of the nasal passages. Sinuses.com warns that left untreated, chronic sinusitis can cause extreme pain and impair vision. Many over the counter medicines are available to treat sinus infections, but a doctor should be seen as soon as the symptoms begin to avoid extreme pain. What may appear to be just a common cold could turn into something more serious if ignored.