5 Signs of Sinus Infection That May Surprise You

Sinusitis is a condition in which the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed or swollen. Sinuses are two cavities in our skull that supposedly occurred to lighten the skull or improve our voices. However, their main goal is to create mucus that moisturizes the inside of the nose. When sinuses get blocked, you get a pool of mucus that becomes infected. 

In fact, people who have allergies are more prone to these blockages. Other risk factors of sinusitis include:

• Asthma

• A dental infection

• A deviated septum

• An immune system disorder, such as cystic fibrosis or HIV/AIDS

• Regular exposure to pollutants

• Nasal polyps

• Aspirin sensitivity

• Hay fever or another allergic condition

However, everyone can get sinusitis. Here are some surprising signs of inflamed sinuses you might be missing: 

1. You don’t feel smells

If you can’t smell just cooked meal and your senses aren’t triggering hunger, this might be a sign of sinus infection. Loss of sense of smell caused by sinusitis occurs due to the inflammation around the olfactory, or smell organ. This could be a sign of sinusitis onset.   

2. You can’t get rid of your headache 

There are lots of culprits contributing to headaches, such as dehydration, lack of sleep, being tired or hungry, too much exercise, or high levels of stress. But if your headache lasts for many days, then the building pressure in your brain could indicate you’re developing sinusitis. Most sinus infections are provoked by viruses, which means antibiotics won’t help. So, it’s essential to visit your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

3. You have persistent facial pain 

While facial pain might be the result of overexercising, persistent pain in that area could be a symptom of infected and swollen sinuses. Plus, a sinus blockage can lead to pain without infection. 

4. You feel pressure inside your head 

If you had too many cocktails last night and now your head is cloudy and heavy that’s one thing. But if there is no potential culprit of these symptoms, then it might be an indication of blocked sinuses. That blockage is the root cause of pressure and tension in your head. 

5. You experience tooth pain 

Tooth pain has a wide range of explanations from dental cavities to gum disease. But it can also be a sign of sinus infection. Tooth pain is probably the most overlooked symptom of sinusitis. It’s typically linked to maxillary (cheek) sinusitis since the upper tooth roots will often extend close to the sinuses. 

The Bottom Line  

If left ignored sinusitis can become a chronic problem. What’s more, chronic and acute sinusitis have similar symptoms, so it’s a good idea to visit a doctor instead of self-medicating. Chronic sinusitis threatens complications like frequent infections and vision problems. Plus, it’s hard to treat and can be resistant to treatment and medication. This means that the only way to get rid of it is to receive surgery like septoplasty, balloon sinuplasty, or rhinoplasty. 

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent chronic sinusitis. These include avoiding upper respiratory infections, managing your allergies, avoiding cigarette smoking and polluted air, and using a humidifier. The main goal is to avoid things that can potentially irritate the lining of your sinuses. 

If you have chronic sinusitis, it’s essential to manage it properly. To relieve the condition prioritize rest, moisturize your sinuses regularly, and rinse out your nasal passages. If sinusitis doesn’t get better, talk to your doc about surgical options.