How to Identify Sinus Inflammation Symptoms

You are tired and achy. You spent all day sneezing, coughing and now you're getting a bad headache. Do you have a cold? Allergies? Or could it be something worse? What about sinus inflammation? This article will tell you how to identify sinus inflammation symptoms so that you can get proper treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Cold medicine
• Allergy medicine
• Cough medicine
• Tissues

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Instructions

How to Identify Sinus Inflammation Symptoms

• 1

  Take stock of your aches and pains. Does your head hurt? Are your eyes sensitive? Do you have nasal congestion or a green discharge? These are all signs that you could have sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses.

• 2

  Take stock of your recent history. Is it allergy season for you? Did you recently catch a cold from someone? Either of these could cause a swelling in the nose, which can also affect the sinuses, since each sinus has an opening into the nose and is joined with the nasal passage by a continuous mucous membrane lining. Swelling of this lining can trap pus, or even air, causing intense pain.

• 3

  Take some medicine, then wait. If the cold or allergy medication you took does not seem to be helping, it is very possible that you have sinus inflammation, especially if your symptoms include a severe headache.

• 4

  Consider your long-term health history. Have you had sinusitis in the past? If so, you could be prone to repeat attacks.

• 5

  Go to the doctor: Only your doctor can tell you for sure if you have inflammation of the sinuses.