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Lingering
cold symptoms may mean sinusitis
(HealthDay News) -- If a stuffy nose and headache persist
for more than a week, you may have sinusitis, which
often results from the common cold.
People with allergies are more likely to develop sinusitis,
which is most common in the winter months.
“Early on, the symptoms of colds and sinusitis
are similar,” Dr. Anju Peters, chairman of the
academy’s Rhino-Sinusitis Committee, said in a
news release. “But if symptoms are worsening after
three to five days, or if they are present for more
than 10 days, then sinusitis is the likely culprit.”
Sinusitis occurs when cold- or allergy-related inflammation
causes blockage of the sinus cavities, hollow areas
behind the forehead and cheeks. The blockage prevents
normal drainage of mucus, a situation that leads to
infection. Symptoms of sinusitis include green or gray
nasal discharge, foul tasting post-nasal drip, facial
pain or pressure, and light fever.
If not properly treated, sinusitis can last for months
or even years. Typical treatment includes antibiotics
to deal with the infection and decongestants to relieve
stuffiness.
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