Learn To Distinguish Between Regular Colds and Sinusitis
By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-05-25 02:36:44 | Word Count: 574
When asked about colds and sinusitis, the vast majority of people are not able to tell them apart. This is generally due because they share some similar symptoms that make it hard for people to notice the differences without previously being informed. The common colds have mild effects that usually pass in three to five days. Sinusitis shares a number of symptoms that are generally associated with colds, such as nasal congestion, and sometimes sore throats. One element that can help you detect sinusitis is the time frame. While the effects of regular colds pass after a period of three to nine days, sinusitis may take a really long time to cure.
Sinus infections, which are usually caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses, the bony cavities found behind the nose, eyes, brows, and cheekbones. Typically, a cold or allergy attack causes mucous membranes in the sinuses to swell and block the tiny openings into the sinuses, which may interfere with their ability to drain. The trapped mucus allows bacteria to breed, causing pain. A low-grade fever may also signal a bacterial infection in sinusitis while colds typically are not associated with fever.
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Another potentially helpful sign is the color of your nasal discharge. Unlike colds, which generally produce clear mucus, bacterial infections can produce greenish or yellow mucus.
Antibiotics are indicated in bacterial sinusitis, but are useless when it comes to colds and other virus infections.
Other symptoms include upper jaw pain, generally located around the molars, strong headaches that are similar to migraines as they are hard to relieve with regular medicines for headaches, a strong feeling of pressure generally located around the eyes and the top region of the nose.
Sinusitis is, in general terms, an inflammation of the sinuses which is generally caused by bacteria. Sinusitis comes under different forms which are dependent on the degree of infection. The regular form of the illness can last up to four weeks, while chronic sinusitis can potentially take more than three months to successfully cure.
In the United States, an estimated forty million people are suffering from sinusitis, a proportion that can be applied to most countries in Europe and others around the world. This illness is one of the most widespread illnesses in the US because its symptoms mimic those of regular colds, so people do not think it is necessary to make an appointment with their doctors until they have the severe symptoms associated with sinusitis.
Apart from the medicine which is recommended in the treatment of this illness doctors also recommend that people consume fruits and vitamins along with large quantities of water. This will not only increase your chances of preventing regular colds and sinusitis but will also help boost the effects of the medicine used to cure this illness. Like colds, sinusitis is very common, but for many people it is only a temporary condition which can be easily cured, and the cases when surgery is needed are very few. The good thing about this infection is that it is not very contagious, but the causes that lead to it are. Specific bacteria and viruses that lead to its appearance can and will spread if those infected are not careful when sneezing or coughing. Allergies can sometimes aggravate symptoms associated with sinusitis.
