Sinus Infections

You may not know when you have sinus infections because they don’t always cause a runny nose. I have them a lot and I never see any outward signs of it, but I do know what is going on. On the other hand, many think they are having sinus infections when in fact there is something else that is going on. When we can’t decide what is going on, we often want to blame the sinuses even when they are not the culprits at all. There are many other things and conditions that can mimic sinus pain and inflammation that are often mistaken for sinus troubles. Even the common cold can be mistakenly called an infection.

One thing that is often confused with sinus infections is allergies. Even if you have never been diagnosed with allergies, you may still have them. For the last few years I thought my sinus problems were getting worse. I normally have just a few sinus infections a year, but suddenly, it felt like I was suffering each and every day. It seemed a little odd to me, but after a year of suffering, I realized that I might just have allergies. Sure enough, that was what was going on.

Though many don’t have sinus infections when they think they do, you may know if your family has a history of sinus problems. I know mine does. My brother’s sinuses are so bad that he has to have an operation to clean them out every few years. Though his is a pain, he has to do it or he sufferers range of painful symptoms that can affect his quality of life. They got so bad that he had to go on disability for a while before they figured out what the problem was. He’s OK now, but he has to keep on top of things.

If you are having an abnormally large amount of sinus infections each year, you might want to talk to your doctor. This is especially important if you are having frequent headaches and other problems associated with your sinus infections. There are treatment options of which you might not be aware, and if you have problems like my brother, surgical intervention may bring you some relief. Some sinus infections are just that, and they must run their course. However if they are getting in the way of your life on a regular basis, you should also consult with a doctor to see if there is something more serious going on.

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