Signs That You May Have a Sinus Infection

A sinus infection, likewise called sinusitis, is commonly confused with a terrible cold that doesn’t let up. Why? Simply because a lot of these conditions’ symptoms are alike, like nasal congestion or a runny nose, headaches, and facial pain. Unlike a bad cold, however, the symptoms of sinus infections might be due to bacterial infections that usually require antibiotic treatment to be effectively treated.

So if you think you’re suffering from a sinus infection, visit your ENT doctor in Pittsfield, MA, Dr. Giulio Cavalli of Giulio Cavalli Medical for an accurate diagnosis. By thwarting the progression of a sinus infection as soon as possible, you can avoid complications that may develop later on.

Warning Signs of a Sinus Infection

  • Discolored, usually greenish, nasal discharge
  • Postnasal drip
  • Nasal congestion or stuffiness
  • Frontal head pain
  • Tenderness in the face, typically at the nose bridge and/or under the eyes
  • Coughing
  • Tooth pain
  • Bad breath
  • Fatigue
  • Fever

Sinusitis is also usually mistaken for rhinitis, which is a term used for describing symptoms that come with nasal irritation and inflammation. But this only affects the nasal passages and could be due to allergies or a cold. Allergies can likewise play a vital role in long-lasting or chronic rhinitis and bouts of seasonal rhinitis.

That being said, with sinusitis, the sinus and nasal passages become inflamed, congested, and swollen to try and flush out allergen particles. These allergens typically include seasonal allergens like pollen as well as allergens that can cause year-round symptoms like dust mites, dander, and molds.

Do note that asthma has likewise been associated with chronic sinusitis and that some individuals with asthma and/or chronic nasal irritation and inflammation could develop a certain kind of chronic sinusitis that isn’t a result of an infection.

Diagnosing a Sinus Infection

Diagnosis will depend on your specific symptoms and will entail a thorough inspection of the sinuses, nose, and throat. Your ENT doctor in Pittsfield, MA, will sinus infection symptoms like:

  • Swollen nasal tissues
  • Redness
  • Facial tenderness
  • Bad breath
  • Greenish nasal discharge

If your sinusitis persists for more than eight weeks and/or if antibiotics fail to clear up the infection, your doctor may recommend a CT scan and obtain a mucus culture to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Knowing the specific bacterium that’s causing your sinusitis will help your doctor determine a treatment plan that will be most effective for you.

Additionally, you may need to undergo a biopsy if your condition is caused by a fungal infection since this could penetrate and wreak havoc on the surrounding bone.

Call Us For Help Treating Your Sinus Infection

Arrange an evaluation with your ENT doctor in Pittsfield, MA, Dr. Giulio Cavalli, here at Giulio Cavalli Medical, by calling (413) 443-6116‎.