Do I Have Sinusitis?

Do you feel pain or pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over or lying down?

Do you have swellings on your face?

Do you have severe headaches that are often the worst in the morning?

Do you have nasal congestion (“stuffed nose") that causes difficulty breathing through your nose, “stuffy“ voice

Do you have runny nose with thick, discolored, green or yellow nasal discharge?

Do you have postnasal drip (mucus from your nose that drips down the back of your throat that you swallow)?

Do you cough at night when you’re lying down to sleep, and in the morning after getting up?

Do you have a painful sore throat and hoarse voice?

Do you have a persistent and annoying cough, that worsens when you are lying down to sleep and in the morning after getting up?

Do you have earaches, dental pain or pain in your jaws?

Do you have fever?

Do you often feel tired although your daily activities have not changed?

Have you noticed or has anyone told you that you have bad breath?

Have you been diagnosed with nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose) or a deviated nasal septum?

Have you been diagnosed with immune system deficiencies or do you take medications that suppress the immune system?

Have you had a cold recently or a viral upper respiratory infection or do you suffer from some type of allergy?

Do you smoke or are you often around smoke or other pollutants?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you have sinusitis. Your symptoms may be induced by the common cold, flu, allergies or irritants around you. Since there may be many causes for your symptoms, it is best to consult your health care provider for further analysis.

Based on your answers, you probably have sinusitis. Sinusitis is a sinus infection characterized by an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinusitis can be caused by infection (viruses, bacteria, and fungi), allergies, chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses or even an autoimmune reaction. If you have a simple sinus infection, your may use OTC decongestant drops or sprays and saline nasal washes. Warm compresses can help too. If your sinusitis symptoms last more than 10 days you should consult your doctor. Sinus infections can be treated by your primary care physician or if needed ENT (Eye, Ears, Nose, and Throat) specialist, allergist or immunologist.