Millions of Americans suffer from sinus problems, including chronic infections, polyps, and other issues that affect your breathing, your comfort, and your overall health and wellness. Since they’re so common, sinus issues are often taken for granted, ignored, or brushed off as something you can handle on your own.
The problem is, many seemingly minor sinus issues can have long-term effects, often developing into more serious problems that can be difficult to manage and treat. Early diagnosis and treatment are key — and in this post, the team at ENT Specialists reviews 5 signs of sinus problems to help you get that treatment as quickly as possible.
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection — or even a cold or allergy attack — you’re probably familiar with the pain and pressure that can build up in your face or forehead. These symptoms are caused by swelling inside your sinuses, and, typically, they resolve right along with your cold or allergy.
On the other hand, intense pain or pain that’s getting worse is different — and it should never be ignored. Pounding, ongoing pain around your eyes, cheeks, forehead, or upper jaw can all be caused by a serious infection, especially when over-the-counter pain medications don’t seem to help.
Some severe pain can even be accompanied by tenderness when you touch the sore areas. All of these issues should be evaluated immediately to prevent more serious complications.
Like mild facial congestion, a runny nose is a common symptom of colds and allergies. However, if you notice your mucus is especially thick or yellow or green in tone, you could be dealing with a bacterial infection that requires prescription medication.
In addition to thick, discolored mucus, you might have postnasal drip, chronic bad breath, or an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Often, these symptoms are accompanied by facial pain and pressure, congestion, and sometimes fever.
Sinus infections aren’t uncommon, but for most of us, they happen once — maybe twice — a year. If you’re dealing with frequent or recurring sinus infections, though, it’s a good time to have your sinuses evaluated so we can figure out why.
Frequent infections can take a big toll on your quality of life and your overall health. Our team can determine if you have structural issues, like polyps or a deviated septum, or if you have other issues, like allergies or asthma, that need to be managed.
You have 8 distinct sinus cavities in your skull, located in the upper and midface areas. Not surprisingly, when these cavities are inflamed or infected or when a structural issue prevents proper drainage, you can wind up with not only facial pain, but also chronic headaches.
Sinus headaches can vary in intensity and in the symptoms they cause — some headaches cause persistent, painful throbbing, while others are associated with sharper pain. Like facial pain and pressure, sinus headaches tend to feel worse when you bend over and pressure inside your sinuses shifts. You may even experience pain around your ears or in your teeth.
Certainly, if you routinely breathe during your mouth while you’re awake or have difficulty breathing through your nose, it’s time for an evaluation. The problem is, many of us appear to breathe normally through the nose during the day, but then resort to mouth breathing during sleep.
If you wake up with a dry or sore throat, that’s a good indication you’ve been breathing through your mouth. If you snore, that’s another possible indication (although you can snore with your mouth closed, too).
In any event, neither snoring nor mouth breathing are “normal,” and both can cause long-term complications over time. If you have either of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule a visit with our team.
Your sinuses play a key role in helping you breathe, which is why even seemingly minor issues deserve your attention. If you have any of these 5 signs, or if you have any type of symptom that lasts for more than 10 days, it’s time for an evaluation.
To find out what’s causing your sinus issues, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Magna, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, today.
