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Signs That You May Have a Sinus Infection

Wondering why your cold isn't getting any better? You may actually have a sinus infection, one of the conditions treated by Dr. Ralph Bassett, Dr. Sanford Hoffman and Dr. Paul Borgesen, the ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors at Arizona ENT in Sun City West, AZ.

Common sinus infection symptoms

If you have a sinus infection, you may have some of these signs and symptoms:

  • Nasal Congestion: Stuffy noses are common with sinus infections. If you've been experiencing nasal congestion for more than a few weeks, a sinus infection rather than a cold could be to blame. A stuffy nose can interfere with your sleep and cause snoring.
  • Pressure and Pain: Infections often cause pain and pressure in your forehead and around your eyes and nose. If you bend over, you may notice that the pressure gets worse.
  • Headache: Sinus headaches usually affect the forehead and the areas around the eyes and nose, but pain can also extend to the back of the head. Tight muscles in your neck and shoulders can make the pain worse.
  • Fatigue: Battling a sinus infection may affect your energy level, leaving you feeling constantly fatigued.
  • Post-Nasal Drip: When your sinuses are clogged, mucus drips down the back of your throat rather than exiting through your nose. If you're suffering from post-nasal drip, you may have a lump-in-the-throat feeling, need to clear your throat often, have a raspy voice, or develop a sore throat or cough. Morning nausea may also be due to post-nasal drip.
  • Fever: Fevers may or may not occur with sinus infections.

Sinus infection treatment

Although some sinus infections go away on their own, others need treatment from your ENT. Call the Sun City West, AZ, ENT office if you've had sinus infection symptoms for more than 10 days or you have severe pain or a fever over 102.

Your ENT can prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication depending on the cause of your infection. In addition to pain relievers, other treatment options include over-the-counter and prescription decongestants and oral or nasal spray corticosteroids to decrease swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages. If the infection causes a severe blockage, or you have frequent sinus infections due to polyps, a deviated septum or another problem, sinus surgery may be helpful.

Are you struggling with sinus infection symptoms? Call your Sun City West, AZ, ENTS, Dr. Bassett, Dr.Hoffman and Dr. Borgesen of Arizona ENT at (623) 975-1660 to make an appointment.


Our Locations:

623-975-1660

14510 W. Shumway Dr. ,  Ste 101,  Sun City West, AZ 85375

10503 W. Thunderbird Blvd.,  Ste 104,  Sun City, AZ 85351

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