Have you been experiencing some problems with your sinuses? You might have a condition called sinusitis. This can be extremely uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to feel better. Here’s everything you should know about it.
Everything You Need to Know About Sinusitis
What Is It?
Your sinuses are hollow spaces near your eyes and nose. They help to humidify the air we breathe in, as well as make our voices stronger. When your sinuses get infected or don’t work properly, this can cause a lot of discomfort.
Your sinuses are lined with mucus which helps prevent dust and germs from reaching your lungs and keeps your nasal passages lubricated. If there is too much build-up of mucus in your sinuses, they can become inflamed and irritated which is what causes this condition. There are several things you can do to help treat and manage things like headaches and sinusitis.
What Are the Symptoms?
You are likely to see several symptoms if you are currently experiencing this problem. The symptoms that you experience will often depend on how long you’ve had the condition as well as how severe it is.
Some of the symptoms that you might have include nasal discharge or a runny nose, the feeling of mucus dripping into the back of your throat also called postnasal drip, a sore throat, a cough, congestion of the nose, and headaches. You may also find that you experience bad breath, toothaches, or even a fever if your condition is particularly severe.
What Causes It?
There is no one thing that causes this condition. A variety of factors and causes can contribute to it. However, most of the time it is caused by fluid getting trapped in the sinuses, which then provides a place for germs to grow.
Most of the time, the fluid gets stuck in the sinuses because of something like a virus or bacteria. It can also be caused by allergies or any other type of pollutants in the air. Some cases have been the result of mold or fungal infections.
How to Treat It
The majority of the time, people can heal this condition at home on their own. Doing things like inhaling steam and using over-the-counter medications can help clear it up quickly. Making sure that you are getting enough rest and sleeping with your head as upright as possible can also help your body fight off the infection.
However, there may be some instances where you need some professional help. If you have been struggling with your sinuses for more than 10 days with no sign of improvement, or you have a high fever or one that lasts longer than 4 days, you should visit a doctor.
When your sinuses don’t feel good, this can affect the way the rest of your body feels. Anyone experiencing issues with their sinuses should address the problem as soon as they can. If your symptoms continue to worsen or show no improvement, get in touch with your doctor.
