When a Cold Is No Longer Just a Cold

You caught a cold but it hasn’t gone away yet and breathing through your nose is still difficult. You feel a throbbing or pounding in your face or behind your eyes. What started out as a cold may have progressed into something called sinusitis. Sinusitis is simply another name for a sinus infection, which is literally an infection of your sinus cavities. The sinuses are air-filled spaces found in the bones of the head and face. Sinus infections affect millions of Americans every year. Not all colds turn into sinus infections, but colds are a common cause of acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is a sinus infection having a rapid onset and following a short but sever course.n nWhen the linings of your sinuses become infected, usually due to viruses, fungus or bacteria, they may swell, causing an obstruction and interfering with the normal drainage of mucus. Sinusitis can cause considerable discomfort and can lead to more serious infections if left untreated. Some common symptoms of sinusitis are:nn- Facial painsn- Tenderness of the sinus areasn- Headachesn- Nasal drainage that is thick and coloredn- Cough (may be itchy)n- Postnasal dripn- Bad breathn- Upper jaw painn- Sore throatn- Eyes are sensitive to lightn- General fatiguen- Eye lids swellnnIf you have experienced symptoms for longer than a week, you may have sinusitis. When an infection such as a common cold causes your nasal membranes to become irritated and swollen, it can stop the normal process of nasal discharge and can encourage fungus, bacteria or viruses to grow. Your doctor can determine if you have sinusitis by giving you an examination. During the exam, your doctor may feel for tenderness in the area of the sinuses and examine your nasal passages looking for inflammation, secretions or deformities. Your physician may use an Endoscope to look in your nasal passages. Your doctor may also take cultures from inside your nose to see if you have a bacterial or fungal infection. Additionally, Computerized Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are sometimes used to diagnose sinusitis.nSome common ways to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis include steaming your sinuses, which helps to stimulate drainage from the sinuses. Applying warm compresses around your eyes, nose and cheeks may ease some of the pain. Drinking fluids helps promote drainage. Avoiding alcohol, which can worsen swelling of the sinuses and dehydrate you. Many people have reported positive results using colloidal silver mineral supplements as a part of their sinus infection treatment to kill the fungus, bacteria or virus growing in the sinuses.nYou should consult a licensed physician if you believe you have a serious health issue. You should also do comprehensive research about colloidal silver, antibiotics and any other type of treatment before accepting anyone’s opinion about how to care for your health.n