Sinus Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

by time news

2023-06-07 20:24:30

What is a sinus infection?

With a sinus infection, the mucous membrane in one or more of the hollow spaces behind your nose, in your upper jaw or in your forehead (the sinuses) is inflamed. “A mucosal inflammation develops, which causes your mucous membrane to swell and produce a lot of snot and mucus. Due to the swelling, mucus or fluid can no longer be drained. You usually get a sinus infection from a virus, sometimes from a bacteria,” says Rutger Verhoeff.

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

A sinus infection gives a throbbing, pressing or painful feeling. You may also suffer from the following symptoms:

– Pain in your forehead, upper jaw or behind your eyes.

– Pain on one side of your head.

– Pain when you bend over.

– A pressing or heavy feeling in your head.

– Loss of taste and/or smell.

– A stuffy nosesometimes with green or bloody mucus.

– Coughing, this is mainly due to the mucus.

– Painful teeth, due to the pressure on your upper jaw.

How do you get rid of a sinus infection?

“If it bothers you a lot, you can take paracetamol and/or anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen or diclofenac. A sinus infection will go away on its own within one to three weeks,” says Verhoeff.

But you can also do things yourself to relieve the complaints, such as steaming. “This can reduce the complaints. Hang over a bowl of warm water for about ten minutes three times a day. Make sure that it is not too hot and that you do not use menthol.” Does your child have a sinus infection? Steaming is prohibited in younger children.

You can also one nose spray to use. Then take a nasal spray with saline or xylometazoline and use this for a maximum of 7 days.

Go to the doctor with a sinus infection

Are you very ill and/or do you have a persistent fever? Then it is important to contact your doctor. Verhoeff: “A doctor can, for example, prescribe a nasal spray containing hormones or antibiotics.” Is your face swollen, red or do your eyes bother you? It is also important to contact your doctor. Are the symptoms not very severe, but do they last longer than two weeks? Then a visit to the doctor is also recommended.

Not a sinus infection but a cold? Doctor Rutger explains what you can do.

Bron: Doctor Rutger Verhoeff

#symptoms #rid #quickly

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