Ashford Clinic Blog
Do I Have Chronic Sinus Infections?
Anyone can suffer from sinus infections from time to time, and it really doesn’t matter whether you’re generally healthy, young, old, or avoid travel. At some point, something will probably trigger a sinus infection at least once in your lifetime. For those who experience sinus infections regularly, how do you determine whether or not you are suffering from chronic sinus infections?
Most sinus infections typically last one to two weeks. While this isn’t really that long, It can certainly seem like a lot longer when you’re in pain. Normal sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics, but they aren’t always necessary. Often over-the-counter medications are enough to provide relief. Steam and saline nasal rinses can also be helpful.
Every patient is different though, and some suffer from more than just a sinus infection. Those suffering from chronic sinusitis can experience sinus infections that last as long as eight weeks. They tend to have frequent sinus infections lasting well over two weeks.
Symptoms of a Sinus Infection:
- Sinus pain
- Headaches
- Congestion
- Nasal discharge
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Nausea
If some or all of the symptoms are also accompanied by a fever or body aches, it’s likely that you probably had a cold or the flu. If, on the other hand, they don’t leave after two weeks or return regularly then you likely have chronic sinusitis that was mentioned earlier. Chronic sinusitis is a condition that typically requires a more involved path of treatment or even a minimally invasive procedure like Balloon Sinuplasty.
If you’re still wondering whether your sinus infections might be chronic, Ashford Clinic is here to help. We will do a full examination to determine the root cause of your sinus issues and the best method of treatment based on your specific needs and symptoms. Give us a call at (706) 248-6860 to request an appointment.
