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As the weather changes, problems like cold, cough, cold and blocked nose become common. Most of us ignore it as a common viral infection or common cold and manage with home remedies or over-the-counter paracetamol. But do you know that when this common cold reaches the bones and cavities of your face, it can become a serious and long-term problem? Sinus Infection / Sinusitis Is it transformed into a human being without even realizing it? According to medical experts, in 90 percent of the cases, sinus starts with a simple cold, but when the cold persists for weeks instead of getting cured, it takes the form of chronic sinus. Understanding the subtle difference between common cold and sinus in time is the surest way to avoid this painful disease.
#1 What is sinus and why does a common cold turn into dangerous influenza?
There are some empty spaces or pockets filled with air within the bones of our skull and face, which are called ‘Sinuses’. These sinuses are mainly located around our nose, behind the cheek bones, between the eyes and in the forehead. In normal condition, a thin mucus is formed from these cavities which keeps coming out through the nose and filters the air. But when we have a cold, flu or allergy, the inner membrane of the nose and sinus gets swollen, due to which instead of coming out, the mucus starts getting trapped in these small holes of the sinus. In this closed and moist environment, bacteria and viruses start growing rapidly, due to which the common cold gradually turns into a serious bacterial sinus infection.
#1 What is the big difference between common cold and sinus infection? How to identify?
Often people consider common flu and sinusitis to be the same disease, whereas there is a vast difference in their symptoms, duration and effects on the body:
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Duration of illness: The common cold usually clears up on its own or with simple medication within 3 to 7 days. In contrast, sinus infections may persist for 10 days to several weeks or months and do not go away without medical treatment.
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Location of Pain & Pressure: The common cold causes mild fatigue throughout the body and a runny nose. But in case of sinus, a sharp pressure and unbearable pain is felt in the forehead, behind the eyes, in the cheek bones and in the upper teeth. When you bend forward, this headache and facial pressure increases manifold.
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Color of mucus coming out of nose: In common cold, watery thin mucus comes out for the first two days. In case of sinus, very thick, yellow or green smelly mucus starts coming from the nose, and the nose remains completely blocked from inside.
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Loss of smell: Due to severe inflammation of the sinuses, the olfactory nerves become dull, due to which the aroma or smell of food stops being detected, whereas in common cold, this problem gets cured within a few days.
#1 Do not ignore the initial symptoms of sinus infection even by mistake.
If the following symptoms are continuously visible in your body, then be alert because it may not be a simple cold but a sinus attack:
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Terrible headache and feeling of heaviness in the forehead as soon as you wake up in the morning.
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Sore throat along with persistent dripping of mucus at the back of the throat (Post-nasal drip).
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Persistent bad breath because bacteria trapped in the sinuses take the form of pus.
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Numbness in the ears, a whistling sound or a feeling of heavy pressure inside the ears.
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Long-lasting mild fatigue, drowsiness and irritability.
#1 How to protect yourself from sinus with home remedies?
To avoid serious sinus infections, it is important that you stop the common cold in its early stages. For this the following precautions should be taken:
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Steam Inhalation: Take steam at least two to three times a day with plain water or a few drops of eucalyptus oil. This opens the closed sinus cavity and the accumulated mucus comes out.
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Maintain Hydration: Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of lukewarm water throughout the day. Drinking enough water keeps the mucus in the body thin and gets expelled easily.
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Distance from allergy causing things: Stay away from dust, pollution, cigarette smoke and strong chemical smells. Be sure to use a mask while leaving the house.
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Nasal spray and saline water: Use Saline Nasal Spray as per doctor’s advice which helps in reducing the internal swelling of the nose.
#1 When should you go to the doctor? Know the importance of treatment at the right time
If it has been more than two weeks since you have recovered from cold and cough, the headache is not reducing, there is swelling around the eyes or mild fever persists, then do not rely on home remedies at all. Contact a good ENT specialist or doctor immediately. The doctor can check the condition of the sinuses through antibiotics, anti-allergy medicines or, if necessary, a CT scan. By getting timely treatment, you can completely avoid complications like chronic sinusitis and surgery.