Common Symptoms of Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infection where the sinuses become infected, swollen, and inflamed. A virus is the most common cause of sinusitis but can also result from bacteria and fungus. Sinusitis can be acute, staying less than a month, or chronic, lasting more than twelve weeks. Its symptoms resemble a cold, but you may have additional effects such as facial pressure or sinus headache. Symptoms of sinusitis differ in each patient, depending on the cause. The sinusitis treatment your doctor Mani H Zadeh, MD uses depends on your symptoms and the cause. There are many symptoms of sinusitis, and below are some.

Sinuses pain or pressure

You have several sinuses above and below the eyes and behind the nose. These cavities can hurt when you develop sinusitis. Inflammation and swelling can alter the usual path of mucus from your nose to the back of your throat, causing your sinuses to ache with dull pressure. You may experience pain in your forehead, on either side of your nose, upper jaws, and teeth, and between your eyes. You may also have headaches occurring where the sinuses are or in other places,

Runny nose and postnasal drip

Sinusitis often causes frequent nose blowing due to nasal discharge, which may be cloudy, green, or yellow. The discharge comes from the infected sinuses and drains into the nasal passages. The discharge sometimes bypasses your nose and drains down to the back of your throat, causing a tickle, an itch, or sore throat called a postnasal drip. Postnasal drip can make you cough at night when asleep and in the morning after getting up. It can also lead to a hoarse sound.

Nasal congestion

Inflamed sinuses can restrict how well you breathe through your nose. Swollen sinuses and nasal passages may lead to a blocked feeling. Nasal congestion usually leads to loss of smell and taste, and your voice may sound stuffy.

Sinus headaches

Persistent sinus swelling and pressure can lead to headaches. Sinus pain can also cause earaches, teeth, jaws, and cheeks pain. Sinus headaches usually worsen in the morning because fluids collect all night long. Your headache can also worsen when you suddenly change barometric pressure around you or your head position.

Throat irritation and cough

Throat irritation happens when discharge from the sinuses drains back to the throat. Irritation can lead to persistent, annoying coughing and often worsens when asleep or in the morning after getting up. Throat irritation and cough can cause sleeping difficulties. Sleeping upright or with your head elevated can help minimize the frequency and intensity of coughing.

Sore throat and hoarse voice

Postnasal drip can cause a raw and aching throat. It starts as an annoying tickle in most people but can worsen over time. If your sinusitis lasts for a few weeks or more, mucus may irritate and inflame your throat, leading to a painful sore throat and hoarse voice. Frequent coughing and throat clearing can make your hoarse voice worse. 

Sinusitis is an infection where the sinuses become infected, swollen, and inflamed. It presents various symptoms, including sinus pain, runny nose, nasal congestion, headaches, throat irritation, and hoarse voice. Schedule an appointment with Mani H. Zadeh for sinusitis treatment to relieve your sinus pain and nasal congestion.