Sinus Infections

It’s easy to discount a stuffy nose or a slight fever as a simple cold that will pass with over-the-counter remedies. But if you have a sinus infection, you face serious consequences if you don’t get effective sinus infection treatment. Besides spreading the infection, you risk potential hearing loss. In New York City, the best ear, nose and throat sinusitis doctors are at the Century Medical & Dental Center. They have convenient hours and locations in Harlem, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Call them at the first sign of respiratory distress.

How Do I Know if I Have a Sinus Infection?

If your sinuses become filled with fluid, you may have a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis. The symptoms of sinusitis are similar to allergies and the common cold, but in addition to stuffiness or a runny nose, sinus infections cause facial pain. An infection typically requires the expertise of a sinusitis doctor. While a sinus infection may clear up on its own, don’t take the chance of damaging your sinuses.

Sinuses are the spaces between your eyes and behind your forehead, cheeks and nose. Usually, they’re filled with air. If you have chronic or recurring sinus infections, get evaluated by a sinus infection specialist, which is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. In New York City, the best sinus infection doctors are at the Century Medical & Dental Center, with offices in Manhattan, Harlem and Brooklyn.

What Are the Symptoms of a Sinus Infection?

When you have a sinus infection, one or more of your sinus passages become inflamed. While a common cold causes sneezing, stuffiness and a sore throat, a cold usually passes within three to five days, but a sinus infection can last 10 days or longer.

Without proper sinus infection treatment, other symptoms you may experience include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Facial pressure, tenderness or pain
• Pressure or pain in your ears
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• A cough that’s worse at night
• Postnasal drip
• Loss of your sense of smell or taste
• Ringing in your ears
• Fluid in your ears
• Hearing loss

Sinus infections can be acute or chronic. An acute sinus infection lasts less than four weeks. Symptoms of a chronic sinus infection last at least 12 weeks. Sinus infections that last four to 12 weeks are considered subacute. If sinus infections come back at least four times in a year with symptoms lasting two weeks or less, it’s called recurring acute sinusitis.

What Causes Sinus Infections?

A sinus infection sometimes starts when you’re getting over a cold. Just when you think you’re getting better, you may suddenly feel much worse. Healthy sinuses don’t contain germs. They allow air to pass through and mucus to easily drain out. If mucus builds up and your sinuses become blocked, germs multiply.

The causes of mucus buildup include:

• Swelling and inflammation of your sinuses
• Allergies and colds that produce too much mucus
• Nasal polyps, nasal bone spurs or a deviated nasal septum blocking the free flow of air and providing a breeding ground for viral or bacterial infections

Sinus infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Some factors increase the risk of contracting sinus infections, such as:

• Smoking or being around smoke or pollutants
• Asthma
• A weakened immune system from chemotherapy or HIV
• Cystic fibrosis
• Abnormal sinus structures

Viruses are the most common cause of sinus infections. Sinus infections caused by bacteria sometimes develop after a case of viral sinusitis. The germs that cause sinus infections are contagious, so being in a crowded environment like school or daycare increase the risk of developing a sinus infection.

What’s the Best Sinus Infection Treatment?

Your sinus infection treatment depends on the severity and cause of your infection. You can treat a mild sinus infection at home with rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. But see your sinusitis doctor first to be cleared of any underlying issues.

If you’ve tried home remedies without relief, your sinusitis specialist creates a treatment plan that fits with your lifestyle and targets the infection.

If your symptoms persist for more than 10 days, your New York City sinusitis doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotics if your infection was caused by bacteria
• Steroid nasal sprays to reduce nasal swelling
• Saline nasal rinse
• Decongestants
• Antihistamines to block inflammation from an allergic reaction
• Corticosteroid shots or pills if your symptoms are severe

If you have recurring sinus infections or a severe sinus infection that doesn’t respond to medicine, your NYC sinus doctor may recommend minimally invasive sinus surgery. This procedure is done to remove nasal polyps, bone or infected tissue. A balloon sinuplasty is a surgical procedure that uses a small balloon to increase the size of your sinus passageways.

Can I Prevent Sinus Infections?

You can reduce the risk of getting a sinus infection, ear infection or throat infection by:

• Preventing allergic reactions. If you’re prone to allergies or asthma, avoid anything that may trigger allergic reactions, such as pollen, mold or dust. Follow your doctor’s instructions about allergy shots, steroid nasal sprays or other medications.
• Washing your hands frequently. Germs spread quickly from person to person and from contaminated surfaces. If you touch a surface with unwashed hands and then touch your face, you may get an infection. Washing your hands with soap and water reduces the spread of respiratory infections.
• Avoiding smoke. If you’re a smoker, ask your doctor for help quitting. If you’re a nonsmoker but have friends or family members who smoke, avoid being around them when they’re smoking. Also avoid being around air pollutants during excessive pollution alerts.

Do everything you can to stay healthy and avoid contact with people who are sick with colds or respiratory infections whenever possible. Wear a clean mask when you hear of flu outbreaks in your community. If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier to moisten the air.

When Should I See a Doctor for a Sinus Infection?

Minor sinus infections go away on their own after a couple days without antibiotics or medical treatment. But if you have recurring sinus infections or feel bad for more than three days, you need a sinusitis doctor to avoid worsening symptoms.

See your doctor right away if you experience severe symptoms, including:

• A stiff neck
• Swelling around your eyes
• Severe headaches or facial pain
• Vision changes, such as double vision
• Fever

These symptoms may indicate a severe infection that requires the expertise of a sinusitis specialist. See your NYC ENT doctor if you have a sinus infection that lasts more than 10 days or that’s no better after completing a course of antibiotics. At the Century Medical & Dental Center, get evaluated by ENTs who are among the most knowledgeable, experienced sinus doctors in Brooklyn, Harlem and Manhattan. For sinus infections, tonsillitis, middle ear infections or sore throats, contact Century Medical & Dental Center today.