Sinuses are hollow spaces inside the skull. They are located around your nose as well as above and below your eyes, and connect to other hollow cavities of the skull. Experts say that these soft and pink membranes work to produce mucus to protect your nose from dust, dirt, and other pollutants.
Because of their function, sinuses are always at risk of getting swollen or inflamed as they catch a bacterial or viral infection. When this happens, you can easily develop sinus pain that may be acute or chronic.
Sinus pain is a common complaint of patients who visit Urgent Care walk-in clinic in Palm Beach Gardens. Aside from pain, other accompanying signs and symptoms make it harder for patients to deal with their sinus condition.
Urgent Care Forest Hill doctors identified the following earliest signs of a potential sinus problem:
Acute sinus pain usually occurs at least three times a year and lasts for about 10 days to two months. A chronic sinus problem, however, recurs more than four times a year and lasts over two months.
If the sinus problem is chronic and comes with other symptoms like nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and even pain in the face, then it's high time to visit a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
In most cases, nasal discharge is green, which means that there is an infection in the nasal passages. Patients might also develop coughing fits, especially at night, since the discharge may drip from the nose to the back of the throat.
If the nose isn't dripping, then an inflamed sinus may be congested and restrict airflow that makes breathing more difficult. Patients might also temporarily lose the ability to smell or taste because of sinus infection and experience headaches, especially in the morning.
Doctors may prescribe over-the-counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines to manage sinus pain due to infections. You might also need nasal spray, but this is not recommended for prolonged use.
In some patients, nasal irrigation using saline solutions might work to relieve sinus discharges. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, this treatment method is safe with no reported adverse effects.
Avoiding sinus pain might be possible if you also avoid triggers that may cause sinus problems such as cigarette smoke. During flu season, washing your hands and wearing a mask may also protect you from developing sinus irritations.
If you have further questions about sinus pain, our doctors at Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches Walk-in Clinic are always happy to help. You may also Contact Us or schedule an appointment.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
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