Dr Temp Patterson Discusses Common Causes of Sinus Infection and how to treat them
BURLEY, IDAHO, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Sinus infections are very common. You have four pairs of sinuses which are located are behind, above, below and between your eyes... These sinuses are hollow, but if they become blocked and the mucus can’t drain, they fill with fluid, causing sinusitis, or a sinus infection. Tapping the face with a finger near an infected sinus can be extremely painful.
The most common symptom of a sinus infection is a sinus headache: pressure and pain behind your cheekbones or around your eyes. Other symptoms include yellow- or green-colored nasal discharge, a foul taste in your mouth, and fever. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting less than a month), subacute (lasting up to three months), or chronic (lasting longer than three months). You can also have recurrent sinus infections, which occur several times a year.
Common Causes of Sinus Infection
Dr. Temp Patterson Says1 "sinus infections are caused by either viruses or bacteria, but they can be caused by fungi as well." Although sinusitis is a very common condition, some people are at higher risk of developing the infection. They include people who:
Have nasal congestion from a cold or allergy
Have asthma
Have blocked drain ducts
Have abnormalities in the nasal passages, such as nasal polyps or a deformity
Have a weakened immune system
Smoke
Sinus Infection Treatment at Home
It isn’t possible for you to tell at home if sinusitis is caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus, but there are some steps you can take to help relieve sinus infections symptoms.
They include:
Moisturizing the room air with a humidifier or vaporizer
Increasing your fluid intake to ensure you are well hydrated
Using saline sprays or nasal irrigations
Using nasal spray decongestants for 2 or 3 days at the most
Applying warm compresses to your face to help relieve pain and pressure
Sleeping with your head elevated. If sleeping on a pile of pillows isn’t comfortable, place blocks under the two legs at the head of your bed to elevate it.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
When to See a Doctor for a Sinus Infection
Acute sinusitis3 often goes away on its own; however, there are times when you should see your doctor for sinus infection treatment if self-care doesn’t work. You should see a doctor if you still have sinusitis symptoms after a week or if they return more than a few times within a year. "You should also see a doctor as soon as possible if the infection worsens" says Dr. Temp Patterson2. Signs of a worsening sinus infection include:
Fever
Sinus symptoms persisting for more than one week
Increase in pain or the pain spreads
Over-the-counter pain medications do not relieve the pain
Increase in nasal discharge that has color
Who to See for a Sinus Infection
Most often, you would see your primary care physician or family doctor to be assessed for sinus infections. If you have chronic or recurrent sinus infections, your primary doctor may refer you to see a specialist, an otolaryngologist, often called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. An otolaryngologist can determine why you have an infection and recommend treatment. Check with your insurance to see if you need a referral from your doctor before seeing a specialist.
The most common symptom of a sinus infection is a sinus headache: pressure and pain behind your cheekbones or around your eyes. Other symptoms include yellow- or green-colored nasal discharge, a foul taste in your mouth, and fever. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting less than a month), subacute (lasting up to three months), or chronic (lasting longer than three months). You can also have recurrent sinus infections, which occur several times a year.
Common Causes of Sinus Infection
Dr. Temp Patterson Says1 "sinus infections are caused by either viruses or bacteria, but they can be caused by fungi as well." Although sinusitis is a very common condition, some people are at higher risk of developing the infection. They include people who:
Have nasal congestion from a cold or allergy
Have asthma
Have blocked drain ducts
Have abnormalities in the nasal passages, such as nasal polyps or a deformity
Have a weakened immune system
Smoke
Sinus Infection Treatment at Home
It isn’t possible for you to tell at home if sinusitis is caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus, but there are some steps you can take to help relieve sinus infections symptoms.
They include:
Moisturizing the room air with a humidifier or vaporizer
Increasing your fluid intake to ensure you are well hydrated
Using saline sprays or nasal irrigations
Using nasal spray decongestants for 2 or 3 days at the most
Applying warm compresses to your face to help relieve pain and pressure
Sleeping with your head elevated. If sleeping on a pile of pillows isn’t comfortable, place blocks under the two legs at the head of your bed to elevate it.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
When to See a Doctor for a Sinus Infection
Acute sinusitis3 often goes away on its own; however, there are times when you should see your doctor for sinus infection treatment if self-care doesn’t work. You should see a doctor if you still have sinusitis symptoms after a week or if they return more than a few times within a year. "You should also see a doctor as soon as possible if the infection worsens" says Dr. Temp Patterson2. Signs of a worsening sinus infection include:
Fever
Sinus symptoms persisting for more than one week
Increase in pain or the pain spreads
Over-the-counter pain medications do not relieve the pain
Increase in nasal discharge that has color
Who to See for a Sinus Infection
Most often, you would see your primary care physician or family doctor to be assessed for sinus infections. If you have chronic or recurrent sinus infections, your primary doctor may refer you to see a specialist, an otolaryngologist, often called an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. An otolaryngologist can determine why you have an infection and recommend treatment. Check with your insurance to see if you need a referral from your doctor before seeing a specialist.
Eric Ash
Web Presence, LLC
941-266-8620
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1 https://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/temp-patterson-2dde34c1-6cfd-4aac-a1c6-f2ed20c247d9-appointments
2 http://www.fox8live.com/story/38486894/dr-temp-patterson-reveals-tips-for-beating-gastroesophageal-reflux
3 https://www.healthgrades.com/conditions/acute-sinusitis