Symptoms of the sinuses and how to differentiate them

Symptoms of sinusitis, which can also be called rhinoinusitis, occur when there is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, which are structures around the nasal cavities. In this disease, it is common to have pain in the area of the face, nasal discharge and headaches, although symptoms can vary somewhat depending on the cause of the disease and the general health and sensitivity of each person.

If you think you have sinusitis, check your test symptoms below:

  • In the case of infants or young children.
  • To know if there is child sinusitis.
  • It is necessary to be aware of the presence of nasal secretions accompanied by signs such as irritability.
  • Fever.
  • Drowsiness and difficulty breastfeeding.
  • Even for foods that she usually likes.

Inflammation that causes sinusitis has several causes, including

It occurs in the vast majority of cases, in about 80% of cases, by a simple cold, and occurs in people with symptoms of nasal discharge, usually transparent or yellowish, but which can also be greenish.

This type of sinusitis causes milder or more bearable symptoms and, in case of fever, usually does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius. In addition, viral sinusitis may be accompanied by other symptoms of viral infection, such as sore throat, conjunctivitis, sneezing and nasal congestion.

Symptoms of allergic sinusitis are similar to those of viral sinusitis, however, this occurs in people who have had a recent attack of allergic rhinitis or who have been exposed to situations that often cause sneezing and allergies in some people, such as cold, dry environment. , saved clothes or old books like what.

It is common for people who have an allergy attack to also have itchy nose and throat, frequent sneezing and red eyes.

Sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection occurs only in 2% of cases of this disease and is usually suspected in cases of fever greater than 38.5 degrees Celsius, severe facial pain and purulent discharge from the nose and throat, or when symptoms, although mild, persist for more than 10 days.

Fungal sinusitis is usually present in people who have persistent sinusitis, which does not improve with treatment and with symptoms that persist for a long time. In these cases, there may be a symptom located only in one area of the face and does not usually cause other symptoms such as runny nose and fever.

Differentiation of causes is done by the doctor after a clinical evaluation and a physical exam, however, as they are similar, it can be difficult to identify the exact cause.

There are still other rarer causes, such as tumors, polyps, strokes, or chemical irritations, that your doctor should suspect in specific situations in these cases.

To diagnose sinusitis, only a clinical evaluation by a general practitioner, pediatrician, or otolaryngologist is required. Tests such as blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans are not necessary, but may be helpful in some cases where there is doubt about the diagnosis or cause of sinusitis. Learn more about tests that can be done to confirm sinusitis.

Depending on the duration of infection, sinusitis may be divided into:

Acute sinusitis is the most common type, but subacute or chronic sinusitis can occur in people with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, due to repeated and incorrect use of such medications, or after periods of hospitalization or surgery, for example.

Chronic sinusitis can also occur in people who tend to accumulate secretions in the sinuses, due to changes in the lining of the area or certain conditions that can thicken mucus, such as cystic fibrosis.

In the presence of symptoms of sinusitis, accompanied by fever, purulent nose secretion and severe facial pain, a GP or otolaryngologist should be suitable for treatment.

Generally, if there are only cold symptoms or symptoms that improve with home care within 7 to 10 days, medications to relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroids, are recommended for this to probably be the case. . viral or allergic sinusitis. Discover some recipes for natural sinus remedies that can help relieve symptoms.

However, if symptoms are severe, fever-free, or do not improve within 10 days, antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, indicated by your doctor may be necessary. Find out what are the main treatment options for sinusitis.

See also home remedies that can help treat sinusitis:

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