Can You Have A Sinus Infection On One Side

What Are The Sinuses How Many Do We Have

A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity. For the purposes of this article, a sinus will refer to those hollow cavities that are in the skull and connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone . Normally all sinuses are open to the nasal airway through an ostium. Humans have four pair of these cavities each referred to as the:

The four pairs of sinuses are often described as a unit and termed the paranasal sinuses. The cells of the inner lining of each sinus are mucus-secreting cells, epithelial cells, and some cells that are part of the immune system .

Functions of the sinuses include humidifying and warming inspired air, insulation of surrounding structures , increasing voice resonance, and as buffers against facial trauma. The sinuses decrease the weight of the skull. If the inflammation hinders the clearance of mucous or blocks the natural ostium, the inflammation may progress into a bacterial infection.

Can Your Teeth Cause Sinus Problems

The biggest sinuses are located above your upper jaw’s rear teeth. Upper tooth roots are quite close to, and may even reach into, the sinus cavity. As a result, sinus irritation may cause discomfort in surrounding teeth. Similarly, tooth injury or infection can result in prolonged sinusitis.

Sinus problems can also be caused by other factors such as allergies or nasal congestion. However, many cases of chronic sinus problems cannot be attributed to any other factor than dental disease. Studies show that 65 percent of people with severe chronic sinus problems have some form of dental disease or impairment. This means that 35 percent of people with chronic sinus problems do not have any evidence of dental disease or impairment.

People who suffer from sinus problems should see a dentist annually for cleaning and treatment of infections. Without adequate cleaning, leftover bacteria from one visit can lead to another problem down the road. Dental professionals can identify and treat many issues before they become serious health problems.

In addition to cleaning your teeth regularly, there are several other things you can do to prevent tooth-related illnesses and injuries:

Visit your dentist for regular checkups. Early detection ensures that we can remove any developing problems before they become serious.

Take care not to bite or chew on hard objects that could damage your teeth such as ice cubes, pens, pencils, pins, etc.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia And Trigeminal Neuralgia

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia, the latter sometimes called tic douloureux, are relatively rare nerve conditions that cause recurrent, sudden, excruciating pain around your ear canal, tongue, tonsils, jaw, or side of your face. Due to the location of nerves in your head and neck, the pain is usually on one side of the face only.

The pain of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is usually in the back of the throat or tongue. Its often triggered by swallowing and usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. You might feel an ache in the affected area after the acute pain episode.

The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is usually facial, but sometimes can occur in the mouth. Pain can be sudden and episodic or prolonged and progressive. Touching the face, eating, or even wind blowing on the face may set off an episode.

Both conditions are usually treated with medications used for neuropathic pain, such as carbamazepine , gabapentin , or pregabalin .

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Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Sinus pain lasts more than 24 hours, after using nasal washes
• Thick yellow or green pus draining from nose and not improved by nasal washes. Exception: yellow or green tinged secretions are normal.
• Sinus congestion and fullness lasts more than 14 days
• Nasal discharge lasts more than 2 weeks
• You have other questions or concerns

When To Contact A Medical Professional

• Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days.
• You have a severe headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.
• You have a fever.
• You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.
• You have any changes in your vision during a sinus infection.

A green or yellow discharge does not mean that you definitely have a sinus infection or need antibiotics.

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Tips To Help You Feel Better Now

With respiratory symptoms, there are some things you can do to start getting some immediate relief, according to Dr. Buzzard.

The first tip I have is to take make sure you are getting an adequate amount of rest, as well as fluids. Secondly, over-the-counter medicines for cold symptoms can be helpful for symptoms like sore throat, fever, congestion, and cough. Check with your doctor if you have questions about what is safe and effective, says Dr. Buzzard. My third tip is if you are smoking, stop. Smoking will make your symptoms worse and can increase your risk of secondary infections like sinus infections or pneumonia. Finally, if you are getting worse or youve gone longer than a week without feeling better, come in to see us.

If you think you might have a COVID-19, a sinus infection, or another respiratory illness, a visit to one of Physicians Immediate Cares convenient locations in Illinois, Indianaand Wisconsin couldprovide the relief you need. In addition to caring physicians and staff who have been serving patients for more than 30 years, Physicians Immediate Care also offers evening and weekend hours, and no appointment is needed.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, please let us know before you arrive so we can keep you safe with our enhanced health and safety protocols.

What Is Sinus Pressure And Pain

Our sinus cavity is the hollow space behind our eyes and nose. It helps us by assisting in airflow and allowing us to breathe easier. Problems start to occur when our sinus cavity openings become swollen. When the swelling occurs it can lead to stuffiness, congestion, and the disruption of airflow. Swelling also causes bacteria to become trapped and this leads to pain and infection.

Several factors can cause nasal passage irritation and bring on sinus pressure symptoms:

• Environmental irritants â Airborne pollutants such as those that cause allergies can trigger mucus build-up and sinus pressure.
• A sinus infection â Sinusitis, more commonly known as a sinus infection, could be a cause of your sinus pressure and pain. If you think you may have a sinus infection, talk to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
• The common cold â Not every cold is the same but sometimes symptoms include mucus build-up, which can mean sinus pressure and pain.

There are different types of sinuses, each of which can cause different sinus pain symptoms:

• Frontal Frontal sinuses cause forehead pain and headaches
• Ethmoid Ethmoid sinuses cause pain between the eyes and across the nose.
• Maxillary Maxillary sinuses cause pain in the cheeks, upper jaw or teeth.
• Sphenoid Sphenoid sinuses cause pain behind the eyes, on the top of the scalp, or along the back of the head.

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Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp

If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

• steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
• antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
• antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and youre very unwell or at risk of complications

You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:

• still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
• keep getting sinusitis
• only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

They may also recommend surgery in some cases.

Rare Cases Can Turn Serious

Antibiotics also can help ward off rare but potentially dangerous complications that arise when a sinus infection spreads to the eyes or brain, Dr. Sindwani says.

Complications around the eyes are the more common of the two. These complications can cause redness, swelling around the eyes and reduced vision, and even lead to blindness in a severe form known as cavernous sinus thrombosis. Serious cases are immediately treated with IV antibiotics. Patients are usually admitted to the hospital for a CT scan to see if fluid needs to be drained, Dr. Sindwani says.

Also in rare cases, sinus infections in the rear center of ones head can spread into the brain. This can lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis or brain abscess, Dr. Sindwani says.

Before antibiotics, people would die from sinusitis, he says. But he emphasizes that such complications are unlikely. In most cases, the bacterial infection goes away, especially if you dont have underlying medical problems.

Its important to monitor your symptoms if you suspect a sinus infection. If the condition lingers or worsens, call your doctor.

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Loss Of Smell And Taste

A side effect of nasal congestion is that you will find it challenging to smell or taste. Again, the swelling is to blame since the scents and aromas you are used to cant reach the top of the nose.

Sometimes, the inflammation presses down on the nervous system, impacting the signal that triggers taste and smell. Allergies and a cold can also cause these symptoms, which is why its vital to speak to a professional ENT doctor if youre concerned.

What Causes Sinusitis In A Child

When the sinuses are blocked with discharge, bacteria may start to grow. This leads to a sinus infection or sinusitis.

The most common bacteria that cause acute sinusitis include:

• Streptococcus pneumonia

• Pain or soreness over sinuses

The symptoms of sinusitis can seem like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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What Causes Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

Causes of Acute Sinus Infections

• Acute sinusitis usually follows a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, but allergy-causing substances or pollutants may also trigger acute sinusitis. A Viral infection damages the cells of the sinus lining, leading to inflammation. The lining thickens, obstructing the nasal passage. This passage connects to the sinuses. The obstruction disrupts the process that removes bacteria normally present in the nasal passages, and the bacteria begin to multiply and invade the lining of the sinus. This causes the symptoms of sinus infection. Allergens and pollutants produce a similar effect.
• Bacteria that normally cause acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These microorganisms, along with Staphylococcus aureus and some anaerobes , are involved in chronic sinusitis.

Causes of Chronic Sinus Infections

• Chronic sinus infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, pollutants, and fungal infections, especially people with diseases that weaken the immune system, for example, HIV/AIDS, leukemia and other cancers, and diabetes.
• Medications that are designed to modify the immune system may increase the risk of developing sinus infections.

• Ongoing bad breath unrelated to dental problems

People who have facial pain, headaches, and fever may indicate a sinus infection.

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Er For Severe Sinusitis Symptoms

While sinusitis can be managed at home, you might wonder when to see a doctor for a sinus infection.

You must go to an ER doctor for immediate medical treatment if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and unbearable pain.

Doctors will have to quickly examine to assess what proper antibiotics to give you to alleviate the pain and help you recover fast.

If you are in Kingwood, Texas, go to Kingwood ER to get the best medical treatment in an instant.

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Sinus Headache Definition And Facts

• Sinuses in the face are air the spaces that develop from the nasal passages and help with air humidification and mucus secretion.
• Inflammation of the sinuses may decrease the ability for the mucus to drain, increasing pressure within the sinuses, which can cause a sinus headache. Common causes of inflammation include allergies, infections, or colds.
• Symptoms of a sinus headache include pain in the face that may worsen with bending down or straining
• pain that radiates to the forehead, temple, or cheek
• runny or stuffy nose

Schedule An Appointment With Independence Ear Nose & Throat

At Independence Ear, Nose & Throat, we have the expertise and experience to diagnose your symptoms and prescribe the proper ear, nose, & throat treatment to make your life easier. All you have to do is call us today at 772-888-1880, and well book you an appointment with one of our hearing health professionals.

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Causes Of One Sided Facial Swelling

It is important to consider several factors when evaluating the cause of facial swelling which may provide a better indication of the cause.

Signs And Symptoms Of Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis

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How Do You Know If You Have A Bad Sinus Infection

When you experience excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head, or throat, you probably have a serious sinus infection. And if you cant open your eyes or feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.

Can you have unilateral sinusitis?

Unilateral sinus disease carries a broader differential diagnosis than bilateral sinus disease, including various inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Odontogenic sinusitis is a common cause of unilateral maxillary sinusitis, but few studies have examined its incidence among all etiologies of SHU.

When should I be worried about a sinus infection?

When to call your doctor The Mayo Clinic suggests making an appointment with your doctor if you notice the following: Your sinus infection lasts longer than a week. You suffer from recurring sinus infections that are not responding to treatment. Your symptoms persist or worsen after consulting your doctor.

Is There Permanent Relief From Puffy Eyes Caused By Sinusitis

The only way to get rid of swollen, puffy eyes is to treat the underlying problem. In this case, its chronic sinusitis, which does require medical attention. And thats where CT Sinus Center can help. When you first come in, well take the time to sit down with you and thoroughly discuss your symptoms and medical history before we begin up-to-date diagnostics. Once we determine exactly whats causing your puffy eyes, well find a treatment that is the right fit for your lifestyle.

If you also suffer from the other telltale symptoms of chronic sinusitis, you may be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a noninvasive, in-house procedure done with local anesthesia, that promotes natural drainage and healing and reduces those unsightly bags. Those signs include:

• Drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat
• Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
• Reduced sense of smell and taste

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When Antibiotics Are In Order

The main reason to prescribe antibiotics is for patient comfort, Dr. Sindwani says. The medical field used to be more convinced than it is today than untreated sinusitis would inevitably become a chronic issue, he says.

We dont think that way as much, he says. We dont know that an untreated acute sinusitis, if left untreated, will grumble along and cause people to have a chronic sinus infection.

Some people think thats two separate things, with chronic sinusitis more likely due to underlying issues like allergies or immune problems.

Distinguishing Signs And Symptoms Of Dental Pathology From Those Of Sinusitis

Maxillary sinusitis is common and the dentist needs to be able to distinguish it from dental disease. It is usually an acute condition, but chronic sinusitis may also develop following an acute episode and may persist or recur if drainage from the antrum to the nasal cavity is poor or when a foreign body is retained.

Acute sinusitis may affect any of the paranasal sinuses but is usually confined at any one time to a single sinus. It is a bacterial infection and typically occurs after a viral upper respiratory tract infection .

Maxillary sinusitis is usually related to impaired antral drainage, which may be caused by:

1.

Mechanical obstruction of the ostium resulting from

inflammatory oedema of the nasal mucosa

Impaired mucus clearance resulting from

poor ciliary action or the viral damage caused by a common cold

abnormally thick or sticky mucus .

Accumulated secretions become infected, allowing a collection of pus to develop in the antrum.

Dental diseases may also cause sinusitis. Other possible causes include the presence of contaminated foreign bodies, trauma or infections of non-odontogenic cysts or malignant tumours.

Signs and symptoms of sinusitis

Clinical signs of sinusitis

Glenis K. Scadding, in, 2008

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