Introduction:
Have you heard about the word “sinus” before? I bet only a few of you might actually have some knowledge regarding this term. Sinuses are little air pockets that you can find in between the eyes, nose, forehead, and cheekbones. The doctors even call it four paired cavities that are situated in the head and are connected through narrow channels. The thin mucus that oozes out of our nose channels is made by the sinus & this mucus is important to keep the nasal passage free from bacterial infections & dirt that may enter through the oxygen we inhale. However, the word sinusitis is the term that we use when these channels and nasal passages are inflamed. That condition is called sinusitis.
The inflammation is caused either because of the structure of the channels and the passage or by some infection. This issue is very common across the country and according to a recent survey, every year about thirty to forty million people get this infection every year.
Main Symptoms of this infection:
The main symptoms of Sinusitis are mostly the same as that of cold. The person with the infection may feel:
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Fever:
This is a common symptom showing the presence of infection in the body. As the human body tends to fight the infection, it raises the temperature which indicates that a person is having a fever. When a person is suffering from sinusitis, the body starts fighting the infection which directly increases the temperature. So, if a person is having a fever, it means there is an infection in the body.
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Very low or no sense of smell:
Even if we catch a common cold, our sense of smell turns very low. The same happens with us when we have sinusitis. The infection reduces our sense of smell and we can’t make the difference between the good and bad smell. To be precise with this condition – we call it anosmia which means that we have either partially or completely lost the sense of smell. Due to this infection, the conditions stay mostly temporary and as soon the infection rates go nil, our smelling buds turn active again.
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Severe headaches:
Minor headaches are common but if you are feeling intense pressure on your head and you have congestion in your sinus passage, it directly indicates that you have an infection. It puts up pressure on your head and causes severe pain. I have seen many people complaining of severe headaches due to sinusitis. These people need an expert Sinus doctor in Los Angeles who can treat their symptoms and kill the infection before it causes too many other health issues.
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Congestion in the nasal Channel:
Nasal congestion is caused mainly by catching a common cold but if you are having an infection in the passages, it may pair up with pain, swelling in the surrounding tissues, and mucus build-up. All these when combined point the arrow towards the sinusitis. If you are having frequent congestion, you must not ignore it and book an appointment with the top Sinus doctor in Los Angeles who can treat you for this condition.
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Fatigue & Cough:
If you have a stuffy or running nose & feel as if somebody had sucked up all the energy from your body, you need to consult the doctor who can check the other symptoms and let you know about the actual condition. If it’s paired with a persistent cough, then you have to go to an ENT specialist who is known for treating the ear, nose, and throat issues.
Hence, these are a few symptoms that can conclude whether you have the infection or not. Also, if you are suffering from sinusitis, make sure that you consult the best Sinus doctor in Los Angeles. This will help you get an early diagnosis of the infection and on-time treatment keeping other health issues at bay.
Now, here are some risk factors that you must consider if you want to stay safe from this injection.
As we know Sinusitis is caused due to blockage in the sinus channel but some health conditions may contribute to the increase in the chances of infection. Here are some of them:
- A person with a deviated septum
- A person with a nasal bone spur
- A person with nasal polyps
- A person with a very weak immune system
- A person prone to allergies or with a history of severe allergies
- A person with a dental infection
- A person with cystic fibrosis
- A person with acute respiratory tract infections
- A person who smokes tobacco
- A person prone to a high concentration of bacteria and germs
All these people are at high risk of infection and must take proper precautions to take good care of themselves.
Conclusion:
Sinusitis is not a life-threatening disease but if you are having the infection, you should get it treated on time before it may cause other health problems. You must go for a regular check-up with your medical practitioner and take all the prescribed medications on time. I am sure that you will feel better after taking the medicines. If you still don’t feel any better, please feel free to tell your doctor for further treatment.