Sinusitis -When a Cold Is No Longer Just a Cold

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Submitted by ad Staff on August 25, 2006 - 2:11pm. Health

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You caught a cold but it hasn't gone away yet and breathing through

your nose is still difficult. You feel a throbbing or pounding in

your face or behind your eyes. What started out as a cold may have

progressed into something called sinusitis. Sinusitis is simply

another name for a sinus infection, which is literally an infection

of your sinus cavities. The sinuses are air-filled spaces found in

the bones of the head and face.

Sinus infections affect millions of Americans every year. Not all

colds turn into sinus infections, but colds are a common cause of

acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is a sinus infection having a rapid

onset and following a short but sever course.

When the linings of your sinuses become infected, usually due to

viruses, fungus or bacteria, they may swell, causing an obstruction

and interfering with the normal drainage of mucus. Sinusitis can

cause considerable discomfort and can lead to more serious

infections if left untreated.

Some common symptoms of sinusitis are:

- Facial pains

- Tenderness of the sinus areas

- Headaches

- Nasal drainage that is thick and colored

- Cough (may be itchy)

- Postnasal drip

- Bad breath

- Upper jaw pain

- Sore throat

- Eyes are sensitive to light

- General fatigue

- Eye lids swell

If you have experienced symptoms for longer than a week, you may

have sinusitis.

When an infection such as a common cold causes your nasal membranes

to become irritated and swollen, it can stop the normal process of

nasal discharge and can encourage fungus, bacteria or viruses to

grow.

Your doctor can determine if you have sinusitis by giving you an

examination. During the exam, your doctor may feel for tenderness in

the area of the sinuses and examine your nasal passages looking for

inflammation, secretions or deformities. Your physician may use an

Endoscope to look in your nasal passages. Your doctor may also take

cultures from inside your nose to see if you have a bacterial or

fungal infection. Additionally, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans

and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are sometimes used to

diagnose sinusitis.

Some common ways to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis include

steaming your sinuses, which helps to stimulate drainage from the

sinuses. Applying warm compresses around your eyes, nose and cheeks

may ease some of the pain. Drinking fluids helps promote drainage.

Avoiding alcohol, which can worsen swelling of the sinuses and

dehydrate you.

Many people have reported positive results using colloidal silver

mineral supplements as a part of their sinus infection treatment to

kill the fungus, bacteria or virus growing in the sinuses.

You should consult a licensed physician if you believe you have a

serious health issue. You should also do comprehensive research

about colloidal silver, antibiotics and any other type of treatment

before accepting anyone's opinion about how to care for your health.

Harader is an expert author who writes on various subjects

including Sinus Headache , Fungal Sinusitis and Colloidal Silver for

Sinus Infection Treatment as well as other related and non-related

topics.