A sinus infection occurs when the cavities around the nose become swollen and inflamed. People who have had a sinus infection will tell you the pain and discomfort the condition causes.
Medically termed as sinusitis, a sinus infection is mostly caused by a virus; however an allergy, nasal polyps (small swellings inside the lining of the nose), the common cold, and rarely a bacteria or fungus may cause sinusitis. Below are the most common symptoms of a sinus infection.
#5 – Pain and pressure in your face
The most common and certainly most unpleasant symptom of a sinus infection is pain and pressure in the face. Sinuses do serve a purpose, and one of them is to help filter and moisten the air we breathe in. Another purpose is to ensure the head doesn’t get too heavy by “opening up”.
When the small holes that connect your sinuses the nasal passage become plugged, they can’t drain properly. The accumulation of mucus causes a dull pressure in your face and pain from the swelling and inflammation.
#4 – Sinus discharge
Sinusitis causes a greenish-yellow discharge that comes from the infected sinuses. The discoloration in the discharge is caused by white blood cells and is an indication that your immune system is fighting an infection. Actually, the green or yellow tinge may last for several days or even weeks after the infection has cleared because the immune cells are still draining.
The discharge drains into your nasal passage or may bypass the nose and flow down your throat. Most times, people with a sinus infection may feel an itch or tickle down the back of their throats. This is known as postnasal drip.
#3 – Congestion
The inflamed sinuses restrict how well you can breathe through your nose. Since the infection causes swelling of the sinuses and the nasal passage, you will most likely experience a reduced sense of taste and smell
#2 – Headache
The persistent pressure and swelling in the sinuses often cause a massive headache. The blockage and inflammation cause the muscles on top of your head and around the forehead to tighten
The pain can also show up in places you wouldn’t expect such as the cheeks, jaws, teeth and even ears. Headaches are often worse in the morning since fluids have been collecting throughout the night. They may also worsen when the temperature of your environment suddenly changes.
#1 – Sore throat and bad breath
Postnasal drip often causes a sore throat. When the infection lasts for several weeks or more, the mucus can irritate and inflame the throat as it drips, this may result in a painful sore throat. Bad breath is caused by the by-product of the colored discharge that drips into the back of the throat. The organism causing the infection produces by-products that cause the smell.
Anytime you feel unsure of your health you should see a health provider, especially if you have fever or a sinus infection that refuses to go away or keeps on coming back. If left untreated, chronic sinusitis could lead to serious complications such as infection in the bones and tissue near the sinuses.
