Sinus Infection Symptoms You Should Know

Many people are not familiar with the condition known as "sinus infection". This is because a mild sinus infection will usually go away on its own if one's immune system is not compromised. However, some people may predisposed to this condition due to certain factors. Some of these factors include:

1. Genetic factors. Our genetic makeup has a great influence on what kinds of food and environmental factors that will trigger an allergic reaction within the body.

2. Anatomy of our nose. People with a deviated septum has a greater chance of suffering from sinus infection as well as those with enlarged turbinates.

3. Accidents which resulted in changes to the structure of the nose.

What are the common causes of sinus infection?

Most people who suffer from their very first sinus infection usually get it from an episode of the common cold or viral influenza. Nasal congestion is very much the culprit because it prevents proper ventilation and air-exchange within the clogged up sinuses and nasal passages.

This provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to proliferate leading to a sinus infection. Increased abnormal production of mucus is caused by inflammation of the mucosal lining brought upon by the above-mentioned illnesses.

The common cold causes congestion in the nasal passages and this inhibits the drainage of the sinuses. When we have the flu, our nasal passages are filled with mucus caused by the accumulation of white blood cells in the lining of the nose. Generally, a common flu stays for a maximum period of one week. After that we usually recover, but it leaves our sinuses inflamed.

So how do we tell the difference between a common cold, viral influenza and sinus infection since nasal congestion is a common symptom?

In order to gauge if you have a possible sinus infection, you need to be aware of the following:

Top 10 symptoms of sinus infection

1. Puffy eyes and a persistent low-grade headache in the forehead especially in the morning.

2. Pain or discomfort in the areas between and around the eyes which is especially worse in the morning.

3. Facial pain. Soreness usually felt in the areas of the bone structure below the eye sockets.

4. A chronic sore throat which often recurs.

5. Tooth ache in the upper jaw area, usually affecting the molars.

6. Persistent nasal congestion.

7. Eyes are sensitive to bright lights, especially in the morning.

8. Thick, opaque or yellowish/greenish nasal discharge, sometimes foul smelling.

9. Otitis Media(infection of the inner ear).This is caused by eustachian tube dysfunction when sticky mucus finds their way into the tubes.

10. A persistent cough. This is caused by thick, nasal mucus continuously flowing down the back of the nasopharynx.

These are the top 10 most common sinus infection symptoms. It must be emphasized that early treatment for sinus infection is necessary if not imperative. This is so because if the mucosal lining within the sinuses is allowed to be continually inflamed, chronic sinus infection will take place and treatment at this stage may prove to be difficult even with today's modern drugs.

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