Sinus Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Sinusitis can cause facial pressure, sinus headache, and other symptoms. Treatment may depend on the cause.

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Fluid buildup in the sinuses can cause germs to grow, leading to a sinus infection.

Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and often lasts even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria — or, rarely, fungi — may cause a sinus infection.

The type of sinus infection you have depends on how long it lasts and how often you get it.

• Acute sinusitis: This type of sinus infection lasts less than 4 weeks, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. It’s usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection (acute bacterial sinusitis).
• Subacute sinusitis: A subacute sinus infection lasts between 4 and 12 weeks.
• Recurrent acute sinusitis: An acute sinus infection is considered recurrent if the infection returns four or more times within a year, with each infection lasting 7 days or more.
• Chronic sinusitis: Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.

What can be mistaken for a sinus infection?

Other conditions such as allergies, nasal polyps, and tooth infections can also cause sinus pain and symptoms.

Sinusitis symptoms can be similar to cold symptoms. But it may also cause:

• facial pain or pressure
• infected nasal discharge
• nasal congestion

Symptoms of acute infections last at least 10 days without improving or worsen within 10 days after seeming to improve. A general practitioner or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) can provide a treatment plan.

Pain or pressure in your sinuses

Your sinuses above and below your eyes and behind your nose can cause facial pain. You may feel pain in:

• your forehead
• on either side of your nose
• in your upper jaws and teeth
• between your eyes

This may lead to a sinus headache, a headache on the top of the head, or an earache.

Tenderness in the face

Your face may also be tender to the touch. This can occur:

• at the bridge of the nose
• under the eyes
• on the forehead and cheeks

Runny nose and postnasal drip

You may need to blow your nose often because of nasal discharge. It may appear:

• cloudy
• green
• yellow
• pink-tinged with blood, due to frequent blowing

Discharge may also drain down the back of your throat, causing postnasal drip. It can cause symptoms that include:

• coughing at night when you’re lying down to sleep
• coughing in the morning after getting up
• hoarseness
• tickle in your throat
• sore throat

Nasal congestion

You may have swelling in your sinuses and nasal passages that lead to a “blocked“ feeling.

Because of the nasal congestion, you probably won’t be able to smell or taste as well as normal. Your voice may also sound “stuffy.”

Sinus headaches

Persistent pressure and swelling in your sinuses can give you symptoms of a headache. It can be worse:

• after lying down
• when barometric pressure changes
• when changing the position of your head

Throat irritation and cough

Postnasal drip can cause irritation and may lead to a persistent cough. It can be worse when lying down to sleep or after getting up from bed. It can also make sleeping difficult.

Sore throat and hoarse voice

Mucus can irritate your throat as it drips, resulting in a sore throat and hoarse voice. Frequent coughing and throat clearing can make it worse.

Fever

While not common, a low grade fever, meaning 100.4 to 103°F (38 to 39.4°C), may also occur with sinusitis.

Bad breath (halitosis)

The mucus that’s produced by your infected sinuses can smell bad and drip down the throat into the mouth.

Treatment for sinus infections may vary depending on how severe the infection is and how long it lasts.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Using a nasal decongestant spray, such as oxymetazoline, can help relieve sinus infection symptoms in the short term. But you should limit your use to no more than 3 days. Prolonged use can make your symptoms worse.

A steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone can help with nasal congestion symptoms without the risk of rebound symptoms from prolonged use.

OTC antihistamines and decongestants can help with sinus infections, particularly if you also experience allergies. Options can include:

• Sudafed
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• loratadine (Claritin)

Decongestants are typically not recommended for people with:

• high blood pressure
• prostate issues
• glaucoma
• sleep difficulties

Consider talking with a doctor before taking any of these medications to make sure they are the best choice for your situation.

Nasal irrigation

Flushing out the nostrils may help people with chronic rhinosinusitis and other types of sinus infections.

Because using unfiltered tap water can lead to a fatal infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experts recommend:

• if using tap water, boiling the water and allowing it to cool
• using a water filtration system
• buying distilled water
• using OTC premixed solutions

Learn how to do nasal irrigation with a Neti Pot.

Herbal treatments

Some studies (including a 2013 study of people with acute bronchitis and a 2017 study of children with acute sinusitis) suggest that herbal treatment may help treat acute and chronic sinusitis. These treatments include the product GeloMyrtol forte (sold as Myrtol 300 in the United States), an oral capsule of essential oils, and Sinupret, an oral mixture of herbs.

Additional research is needed to compare herbal treatments with other methods. If you’re considering herbal remedies, be sure to talk with a doctor about which treatment options are right for you.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics like amoxicillin treat acute sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection that has not resolved with other treatments.

Before prescribing antibiotics, a doctor may practice “watchful waiting,“ which involves monitoring a sinus infection to determine its cause before prescribing antibiotics. Antibiotics only treat bacterial sinus infections.

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection that has lasted 10 days or more without symptoms improving, or if symptoms seem to improve but then get worse within 10 days.

Other remedies for symptom relief

You may be able to find relief with home remedies that include:

• staying hydrated
• drinking hot liquids like tea and broth
• breathing in moist air in the shower or with a humidifier
• resting your voice
• sleeping upright with your head elevated
• using sinus rinses
• using a warm compress

You may be able to prevent sinus infections or reduce their frequency. Steps can include:

• quitting smoking, if you smoke, which can make you especially prone to sinus infections
• avoiding pollutants, including second-hand smoke and chemicals
• washing your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons
• diagnosing and treating allergies
• diagnosing and treating other health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or enlarged adenoids, which tends to affect children and teens

If you’re allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.

An allergy specialist can help determine the cause of the allergy. They may suggest:

• avoiding the allergen
• taking oral medications such as antihistamines
• doing allergic immunotherapy

A sinus infection may improve on its own. But in some cases, it may get worse.

While uncommon, if a sinus infection affects a sinus cavity close to the brain, it can spread to the space around the brain. Though rare, an infection can also pass into the eye socket and cause vision changes or blindness. These types of infections are more common in people with compromised immune systems.

While uncommon, a serious fungal sinus infection left untreated may pass into the bones.

Make an appointment with a doctor if you have severe symptoms, or if your symptoms last longer than 10 days or keep coming back.

Because the cause of your sinus infection can affect your treatment options, it’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you’re looking for a doctor.

If you may have chronic or recurring sinusitis, an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, may use imaging and other tests to determine the cause.

You could also have an underlying condition that causes chronic infections and needs special treatment.

Conditions that cause chronic infections may include:

• nasal polyps
• deviated septum
• allergies
• other medical conditions

When it’s an emergency

Rarely, symptoms like those of a sinus infection may occur with serious health conditions. You may need urgent medical care if you experience any symptoms of a more serious infection, such as:

• a fever over 103°F (39.4°C)
• confusion
• stiff neck
• changes in vision
• other related symptoms that are concerning or severe
• lethargy

Was this helpful?

It’s common for children to have allergies and to be prone to infections in the nose and ears.

Your child may have a sinus infection if they have the following symptoms:

• a cold that lasts over 7 days with a fever
• swelling around eyes
• thick, colored drainage from the nose
• postnasal drip, which can cause bad breath, coughing, nausea, or vomiting
• headaches
• earaches

A pediatrician can determine the best course of treatment for your child. Treatment can include:

• nasal sprays
• saline sprays
• pain relief medication

Do not give OTC cough or cold medicines or decongestants to your child if they’re under 2 years old.

Most children will fully recover from a sinus infection without antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for severe cases of sinusitis or in children who have other complications because of sinusitis.

If your child doesn’t respond to treatment or develops chronic sinusitis, a doctor may recommend that they see an ENT doctor. Enlarged adenoids may also cause sinusitis and similar symptoms.

Sinus infections often start to improve on their own after about 10 days. If your symptoms last longer without improving or worsening, a doctor may need to treat the underlying cause of the infection. Acute sinusitis usually goes away within 1 to 2 weeks with proper treatment.

Chronic sinusitis may require seeing a specialist or having long-term treatment to address the cause. An episode of chronic sinusitis can last longer than 12 weeks. Practicing good hygiene, keeping your sinuses moist and clear, and treating symptoms immediately can help shorten the course of the infection.

Sinus infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms like pressure and congestion. They may go away with home care but sometimes require medical treatment.

Sinus infections that occur often may be due to an underlying condition.

Can Sinus Rinses Be Dangerous?

Sinus rinsing is also known as nasal rinsing, sinus flushing, or nasal irrigation. It refers to the use of sterilized water to clean and clear out your sinus passages.

People use sinus rinses to clean out sinuses that are clogged due to illnesses such as colds, the flu, and sinus infections. They are also used to alleviate nasal congestion caused by allergies.

Sinus rinsing is safe for most people when done correctly. However, when overused or used incorrectly, side effects can range from minor to very serious.

Sinus rinses can be done with a variety of nasal irrigation devices. Some come prefilled with sterile solution. Others require filling of sterile water or saline.

Nasal irrigation devices include:

• neti pots
• squeeze bottles
• bulb syringes
• battery-operated devices

Nasal irrigation devices work by flushing out the nasal cavity. Sterilized water (or saline solution) is poured into one nostril, where it flows through the nasal cavity, and out the other nostril. This removes mucus, dust, allergens, and bacteria. Sinus rinses also thin out thick mucus, making it easier to blow out or expectorate (cough up).

When done correctly, sinus rinsing is safe and effective for most people. However, side effects can sometimes occur.

Common side effects

The side effects from nasal rinsing are typically minor and temporary, resolving within a few hours to a day. They include:

• burning or stinging sensation in the nose
• slight nasal irritation

Some people may get a slight nosebleed when they use a neti pot or other nasal rinsing device. This is usually caused by overuse of the device, because this dries out the nasal passages.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects can occur when nasal rinsing is done too often or if unsafe water is used. Nasal rinsing can be done with water, that is:

• distilled
• sterile
• filtered
• boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooled to room temperature

If you’re boiling water to sterilize it, make sure it’s sufficiently cooled before introducing it into your nostril. If the water is too hot, it can cause internal burning and blistering to occur.

Saline solution is also sterile and can be used for sinus rinsing as well.

You can reintroduce bacteria into your sinuses if you use a neti pot or bulb syringe that isn’t sufficiently cleaned between uses. Make sure to follow package directions for cleaning exactly. And to avoid passing germs to others, don’t share your nasal irrigation device with anyone else.

Nasal rinsing should only be done when you’re congested and have a stuffy nose. When you’re sick, your sinuses fill with thick mucus. Nasal rinsing is effective at thinning and removing excess mucus. This alleviates congestion, making you more comfortable.

However, overuse or long-term use can be unsafe. That’s because your sinuses always need a protective lining of good mucus. This lining is sticky, so it can trap irritants and germs that enter your nostrils. It also contains proteins that kill bacteria before they can enter your lungs. Removal of the mucus lining leaves you vulnerable to illnesses such as sinus infections.

While rare, nasal rinsing can cause serious infections or become life threatening when unsterilized water, including tap water, is used. Tap water is safe for you to drink and wash with. However, it can contain lots of microscopic organisms, including amoebas, that can cause serious or life threatening infections in nasal passages. If you drink tap water, the acid in your stomach kills these organisms. Since there’s no acid in your sinuses, these organisms are able to grow and thrive there. They may also travel into the brain.

Once in the brain, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (amoebic meningitis) can occur. This potentially life threatening condition is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled amoeba. Naegleria fowleri is found in fresh water and damp soil. It causes inflammation and destruction of the brain and brain lining. When not treated promptly, amoebic meningitis is usually fatal.

Symptoms of amoebic meningitis can occur between 1 and 7 days after infection. They include:

• intense, persistent headache
• high fever
• nausea and vomiting
• sleepiness
• sore throat

If you experience any of the symptoms above after nasal rinsing with an unsterilized solution, seek immediate medical attention.

Nasal rinses should not be done on infants or children under 2 years old. If your child has a stuffy nose, talk with their pediatrician about treatments and medications that can help.

Older children may be able to tolerate a sinus rinse, but talk with your healthcare professional first to make sure sinus rinses would be safe and effective for the condition it would be used for. Additionally, make sure to use a child-sized device designed specifically for their use.

To reduce the risk of infection, the FDA recommends that immunocompromised people speak with their doctor before using a sinus rinse device.

There are several at-home treatments that may help alleviate sinus congestion or infection. They include:

• taking over-the-counter decongestants
• sleeping with a humidifier in the room
• breathing in an essential oil, such as eucalyptus, from a diffuser
• using a mentholated chest rub

If you have a severe or chronic sinus infection that doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, a healthcare professional may be able to prescribe medications that can help.

Sinus rinses are safe for most people to use. They are effective for alleviating sinus congestion and eliminating allergens and irritants from the nasal cavity.

However, it’s important to use sterile water when you do a sinus rinse. Using unsterilized tap water can introduce harmful microorganisms into your sinuses. This can result in serious infections, so make sure you’re using the rinse device exactly as the directions describe.

Treatment of headaches in the occipital, temporal, parietal regions

Can headaches be cured with painkillers?

Tolerating constant or frequent headaches is harmful! However, it is also impossible to constantly drown them out with painkillers!

Agree, it doesn’t occur to anyone to constantly take painkillers for toothache – if it occurs, we immediately go to the dentist.

However, we are usually not in a hurry to “part” with a headache. And in vain! After all, many diseases that cause pain in the head can be life-threatening.

How to get rid of a headache?

The question is rather complicated, and only an experienced neurologist can help. The success of treatment largely depends on how correctly the diagnosis is made.

Doctors of the Center for Neurology and Orthopedics “Alan Clinic” specialize in the treatment of headaches of various origins in adults and children.

We use mild, gentle, completely painless, safe, mostly drug-free methods for the treatment of headaches and diseases accompanied by headaches.

Why does my head hurt?

Headache, as a rule, is not an independent disease, more often it is a manifestation or consequence of various diseases, including life-threatening ones, among them:

• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
• Herniated disc in the cervical region
• Protrusion of the disc in the cervical spine
• Instability / displacement of the cervical vertebrae
• Musculo-tonic syndrome (muscle tension in the shoulder and neck areas)

9002 3 Cervical sciatica

• Vertebral artery syndrome
• Migraine
• Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
• Inflammation of the occipital nerve
• Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis
• Cervical myositis
• Scoliosis
• Encephalopathy
• Oncological diseases of the brain (neoplasms)

Diagnosis of headaches

The task of the doctor is to identify the root cause:

• Diseases of the brain (injury, education, inflammation)
• Vascular problems (circulatory disorders of the brain)
• Diseases of the spine
• Mental disorders (mental overstrain, stress, high level of anxiety, depression)
• Consequences of craniocerebral injuries, surgeries
• Extracerebral causes (hormonal disorders, infectious diseases, drugs and chemicals)

The following methods are used to diagnose headaches:

• patient questioning – the doctor must understand how the patient’s head hurts, under what circumstances and in what areas:
  • rare, frequent or constant pains
  • aching pains, throbbing or sharp, shooting
  • arising from certain movements (tilts, turns, etc. ), weather changes, colds, lack of sleep, stress, etc.
  • forehead, occipital region, temples, right, left, etc.
  • accompanied by other symptoms (nausea, dizziness, fever, pain in the eyes, increased or decreased blood pressure, weakness, pain in the neck)
• medical manipulations:
• MRI of any part of the spine (usually cervical)
• X-ray of the cervical spine
• computed tomography of the brain
• magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
• magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral vessels

900 23 laboratory examinations

• oculist examination
• blood pressure monitoring
• gynecological consultation (for migraines associated with hormonal menstrual disorders)

How to treat headaches

• Manual therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Physiotherapy with enzyme preparations
• Medical drips
• Medical massage
• Ozone therapy – treatment with active oxygen.
• Hirudotherapy – treatment with leeches.
• Osteopathy – treatment by the hands of a doctor, a mild effect on the musculoskeletal system, nervous and vascular systems, internal organs.
• Pharmacopuncture is the introduction of medicinal preparations of natural origin into the focus of the problem.
• Acupuncture – impact on biologically active points with microneedles.
• Isometric kinesiotherapy – individual gymnastic techniques / exercises, according to indications with elements of joint massage.
• Botulinum therapy – treatment with botulinum toxin.
• Laser reflexology – painless effect on reflexogenic zones and points.
• Tsubotherapy is a gentle effect on the reflex points of the body.

Types of headaches

Migraine. Migraine is a throbbing pain in the forehead and / or temples on one side of the head, which can be aggravated by intense lighting, strong odors, from various sounds and even when touched. May be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, pallor or redness of the skin of the face, coldness of the hands and feet, weakness, chills.

Tension headache. This is actually a migraine in which throbbing pain is felt on both sides of the head. Pain occurs, as a rule, in the temples, in the forehead and in the back of the head. Such pain may appear from time to time or be constant. It usually occurs as a result of anxiety, depression, stress, sleep disturbances, long-term use of painkillers, frequent use of alcoholic beverages.

Sinus headaches. Symptoms of sinus headaches: pain at the level of the eyebrows and / or near the nose, often accompanied by nasal congestion, the appearance of thick yellow or green discharge from the nose, fever, cough and sore throat, fatigue. To make a diagnosis of sinus headache, you need to undergo an examination: CT scan or MRI.

Cluster headaches. Characterized by the occurrence of attacks of acute headache lasting from 15 to 60 minutes. Before an attack, it usually lays the ear, then there is a sharp pain behind the eye. The attack is accompanied by redness of the eye, the appearance of tears, nasal congestion, a rush of blood to the face and increased sweating. Cluster headaches are difficult to treat. Treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of an experienced physician.

Vertebrogenic headache. Associated with pathologies of the cervical spine. Pain occurs in the occipital region and can radiate to the frontal and temporal regions. It is accompanied by pain and limited mobility in the cervical spine, tension and soreness of the neck muscles, dizziness, tinnitus, and impaired coordination of movements. The main causes of vertebrogenic headaches are: prolonged work at the computer, prolonged stay of the head and neck in one position, great psycho-emotional overload, stress, lack of adequate physical activity, injuries of the cervical spine.

Post-traumatic headache. In most cases, this headache occurs as a result of a concussion, the symptoms of which usually disappear after a few days (in the worst case, weeks). More severe forms of traumatic brain injury are brain contusion and intracranial hematoma. They cause structural damage to the brain and can lead to disability or even death. If post-traumatic headache does not disappear within 8 weeks from the date of injury (or return of consciousness), it qualifies as chronic.

Author

Sadritdinova Guzel Rafailevna

Head of the Department of Neurology

Neurologist, vertebroneurologist.

Headache – SECOND EYE PAIN

Posted on 2020-04-18 14:00 h

Do we often suffer from headaches? Do we know what is the signal that we should see a doctor?

If you fall into one of the following lines, you probably need an expert opinion.

When we feel like we have a headache, this is often perceived as a general complaint. But is it really so? What can cause frequent headaches and should you worry about your health.

Although some types of headaches can be excruciating and debilitating, most types of headaches can be treated with conventional pain medications and resolve within a few hours. However, it’s important to know that recurring “attacks” or certain types of headaches can be a sign of something more serious!

The International Classification of Headache Disorders – ICHD – defines more than 150 different types of headaches, but in general they are divided into 2 main categories: primary and secondary.

SECONDARY HEADACHE

The second main group we will focus on are secondary headaches. They are a secondary symptom of an injury or other illness.

Medication Overuse Headache

(Medication Headaches – GBL) – sometimes known as Retreatment Headaches – is the most common type of secondary headache. It is characterized by frequent or daily headaches with symptoms similar to tension headaches or migraines. These headaches first go away after taking painkillers, but then come back. MOH can be the result of taking painkillers more than 15 days a month.

Medicines that can cause this type of headache include:

• Opioids
• NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen
• and many more

MOH may occur even if you are taking these drugs as directed. But this headache seems to develop mostly in people who take painkillers specifically for headaches.

The only treatment for this condition is to stop taking headache medication. Anyone who stops taking medication should do so under medical supervision. The doctor may be able to help by developing a different course of action or prescribing other medications to ease the stopping process.

Symptoms may worsen to improve after stopping the drug. Headaches usually stop within 10 days. Additional symptoms usually resolve within 7 days after discontinuation, but may take up to 3 weeks.

These include:

• nausea and vomiting
• increased heart rate
• sleep disturbance
• restlessness, anxiety and nervousness for 3 weeks.

Most people return to their original headache pattern within 2 months. After that, you can start taking painkillers again.

The following steps can help prevent MOH: avoid codeine, take painkillers for headaches, but no more than 2 days a week, use prophylactic drugs for chronic migraine.

Sinus headache

Sinus headache is caused by sinusitis, swelling of the sinuses that is usually the result of an infection or allergy. Symptoms consist of dull, throbbing pain around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. The pain may worsen with movement or exertion and sometimes radiates to the teeth and jaw.

These headaches are usually accompanied by thick green or yellow discharge from the nose.

• Other symptoms may include:
• stuffy nose
• temperature
• Nausea
• sensitivity to light or sound

Sinus headache is quite rare. If there are no nasal symptoms, this type of headache is most likely a migraine.

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if they think a bacterial infection is causing the headache, or antihistamines if they have an allergy. Doctors may also prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray to help reduce swelling.

To diagnose the underlying cause of sinusitis, the doctor may refer the patient to an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Caffeine related headache

Increased caffeine intake – more than 400 milligrams (mg) or about 4 cups of coffee – can sometimes lead to headaches. In people consuming more than 200 mg of caffeine daily for more than 2 weeks, stopping use can lead to migraine-like headaches. It usually develops within 24 hours of abruptly stopping caffeine use.

Other possible symptoms include:

• fatigue
• complex concentration
• Irritability
• Nausea

Symptoms often improve within an hour of caffeine intake or resolve completely within 7 days of cutting out caffeine completely.
The effects of caffeine vary from person to person, but reducing your intake may reduce the risk of headaches. Limiting caffeine intake is sometimes recommended for people suffering from chronic migraines.

Headache due to trauma/injury to the head

Anyone with persistent or worsening headaches should see a doctor.

Always call an ambulance for serious head injuries or if the person has the following symptoms after any head injury:

• unconscious
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• loss of memory
• Confusion
• vision or hearing problems

Post-traumatic headaches may develop several months after the initial head injury, making diagnosis difficult.

In most cases, a headache is rarely a sign of something more serious, and most people can manage it effectively with pain relievers. However, anyone experiencing severe, persistent, recurring, or worsening headaches should consult a physician.