Nasal congestion could leave you feeling uncomfortable due to inflammation and swelling on the nasal cavities. Your family doctor could identify issues with nasal cavities, and they could refer you to an ENT specialist. It could be wise to ask for a Surprise ear, nose & throat doctor near you who could effectively deal with your condition. They could let you know if you have chronic or acute sinusitis, how to treat it, dealing with pain and nasal discharge, and when to see a doctor.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
- Chronic sinusitis
Acute sinusitis could last for less than four weeks and is a part of cold or respiratory illnesses, and it heals once the condition is over. However, chronic sinusitis could last more than twelve weeks and could recur after treatment. Your ENT doctor could know if you have acute or chronic sinusitis, and it could help if you learn about the infection to manage the condition properly.
- Pain
Sinuses could cause pain. It could form below the eyes and behind the nose, and the sinuses could hurt due to swelling and inflammation. The sinuses could swell, causing dull and mild aches on the nose, forehead, upper jaws, teeth, and between the eyes. You could take the over-the-counter medication to treat the sinuses, but seeing an ENT doctor could help solve the sinus problems and related pain.
- Nasal congestion
The swollen nasal cavities could prevent the adequate passage of air and restrict effective breathing. Nasal congestion associated with the condition could reduce the senses of smell and taste. It could alter your voice, also making it sound stuffy.
- Throat irritation and coughing
The discharge from the sinuses could drain down the throat leading to irritation and coughing over an extended time. The irritation could make sleeping difficult; sleeping upright or with an elevated head could help reduce coughing and irritation intensity.
When to See an ENT Doctor
You could make an appointment with a doctor if you have nasal discharge, fever, congestion, and facial pain that lasts for more than two weeks and keeps recurring. Although a fever might not be an obvious symptom of sinusitis, it could indicate that you have the infection. Moreover, a fever that accompanies sinusitis could show other underlying chronic infections.
Treating Sinusitis
Some over-the-counter medications such as nasal decongestant sprays and steroid nasal sprays could help reduce the symptoms. However, prolonged use of these sprays could make nasal congestion worse. Antihistamines could also treat sinusitis effectively, especially if allergies accompany it.
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin could treat sinus infection which does not respond to sinus sprays and herbal treatment. Your doctor would recommend the antibiotics; however, you could get side effects such as rashes, diarrhea, and stomach problems. Moreover, overuse of these antibiotics could lead to resistance, and it could lead to superbugs that would not be easy to treat.
The Bottom Line
Sinusitis could cause coughing and prolonged irritation when not treated effectively, and it could be wise to see an ENT doctor. They could diagnose your condition and prescribe medications that deal with sinuses effectively. Moreover, they could develop a prevention plan that could help you prevent the future recurrence of the infection.
