Sinus Vs Common cold: Here’s how to spot the difference between the two

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Is it a sinus or a common cold? People do suffer from a clogged or stuffy nose, but is it just a common cold or there is something else that your body is trying to tell you —- beware! these symptoms are also common for all those who are suffering from a sinus infection.

You must be thinking about how to understand what the body is suffering from! Well, it is only possible to figure out whether it is cold or something serious when you know the symptoms of both conditions — After all not all symptoms are common. In this article, let’s understand how to spot the difference between the two so that you can start with the treatment as early as possible.

Common cold take its own course of time to heal but you can reduce down the symptoms by just being a little extra cautious. Home remedies are always there to guide you through the road but before everything else, you need to learn to spot the differences between the two very different yet similar health conditions. Keep reading. Also Read – Sinusitis: 6 effective home remedies to treat sinus infection

To begin with – the medical term for a common cold is Rhinitis and for a sinus infection, it is Sinusitis. Both take their own course of time to leave the body once it has already entered. When it comes to cold, researchers have revealed that there are 100 plus viruses present on the earth that can cause common cold in humans. The common cold is actually a severe viral infection in the respiratory system of the human body. Also Read – Foods to avoid if you are suffering from sinusitis

Sinus Vs Common Cold – What Are The Difference In Their Mode of Transmission?

The transmission process of both conditions is very different. Cold is extremely contagious and can easily spread from person to person. When a person who is down with a cold or is carrying the virus, coughs or sneezes — the small droplets (infected) get to mix in the air. These small droplets can enter the body of a person who is fit and can infect/ spread the virus. Also Read – Steam therapy: It can offer you more health benefits than you think

However, sinusitis can infect a person very differently. To understand the process, let’s understand that the air-filled sacs behind the nose are known as the sinuses. Common cold can lead to sinus infection when these sinus glands swell up. This condition can go even worse when air, mucus, or bacteria gets trapped inside it.

How different are these two conditions from each other? One of the most significant differences between the two — Sinus and Cold is that the symptoms of both conditions are very different from each other. Also, the duration of the symptoms for both varies — A person suffering from a cold can feel better in a period of 5-7 days, however, Sinusitis can stay inside the body for 4 weeks or for months.

Sinus Vs Cold — Symptoms To Look Out For

As discussed, the first thing to detect whether you are suffering from a sinus or cold is understanding the common symptoms. These symptoms can range from days to weeks. Those who are only suffering from a cold may experience symptoms such as — cough, stuffed or runny nose, mild fever, body ache which can stay for more than 3-4 days, body temperature is also a symptom of a cold. Now, those who are suffering from a sinus infection may experience symptoms like — abnormal nasal discharge which is either yellow or green in colour, chronic pain in the face (mostly around the nose, cheeks, or eye areas), pain behind the eyes, extreme fatigue, bad breathe, etc.

Treatment Options Available

Now, coming to the treatment part of both the conditions. According to health experts, a sinus infection can get better without the use of any medications or treatment. However, some of the common treatments that can help someone recover faster are — Pain relief medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen to reduce down the fever or body pain can be used. Similarly for cold one can reduce the symptoms with the use of some of the over-counter medicines such as paracetamol, aspirin, etc. Other than these, one can also take some medications to get rid of nasal congestions.

Coming to the home remedies part to treat the condition — try to add more fluids to your diet, take proper rest and also make sure to check out the nasal saline. It works great for those who are suffering from nasal congestion.

A sinus infection has similar symptoms to a common cold. The big difference between the two is how long those symptoms linger. Sinusitis symptoms typically last no longer than 10 days. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer.

Sinus infections almost always get better on their own. Antibiotics won’t help a sinus infection caused by a virus or an airborne irritation, like secondhand smoke. But there are some things you can do to try to speed up the recovery process.

1. Drink plenty of water

To help flush the virus out of your system, make sure you’re adequately hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water every 2 hours.

2. Eat foods with antibacterial properties

To fight the virus, add antibacterial foods like garlic, ginger, and onions to your meals.

You can also try drinking ginger tea. Add raw honey for an extra boost. Honey is packed with antioxidants and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Shop for ginger tea.

3. Add moisture

Keeping your sinuses hydrated can help relieve pressure. Here are some tips to for hydrated sinuses:

At night, sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom to help relieve nighttime nasal blockages.
During the day and before bed, use natural saline nasal sprays. These can be purchased from your local drugstore and used several times a day to help break up congestion. Avoid sprays that contain Oxymetazoline because you can become dependent on this spray.
Expose your sinuses to steam. Take regular hot showers and breathe in the damp air. You can also fill a bowl with boiling water and lean over it for 10 minutes. Cover both your head and the bowl with a thick towel. Keep your nose 10 inches above the water.

Shop for a humidifier and saline nasal spray.

4. Clear the sinuses with oils

Eucalyptus oil can help open up the sinuses and get rid of mucus. One study has found that the main ingredient in eucalyptus oil, cineole, helped people with acute sinusitis recover faster.

To alleviate sinus or upper respiratory infections, use eucalyptus oil externally on the temples or chest, or inhaled via a diffuser when the oil is added to boiling water.

Make sure you only use food-grade essential oils. Rub one drop of each oil on the roof of your mouth, then drink a glass of water.

Shop for eucalyptus oil.

5. Use a neti pot

Nasal irrigation is a process often used to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. According to recent research, using a neti pot with a saline solution can get rid of some symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Follow the directions supplied with your specific neti pot. Here are general directions:

Fill the pot with the saline solution.
Incline your head over the sink at a 45-degree angle.
Insert the spout of the pot into your top nostril. Carefully pour the saline solution down that nostril.
Repeat the process with the other nostril.

Be careful to sanitize your neti pot after every use. Only used distilled water. Water straight from the sink may have contaminants, like bacteria or parasites, which could make your condition worse.

6. Ease facial pain with warm compresses

Applying moist, warm heat may help soothe sinus pain. Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks, and eyes to ease facial pain. This will also help clear the nasal passages from the outside.

7. Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications

If you’re not finding relief from home remedies, ask your pharmacist to recommend an OTC treatment. OTC decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), may relieve sinusitis symptoms by narrowing the blood vessels.

This helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It may improve the flow of drainage from the sinuses.

Shop for Sudafed.

If you have high blood pressure, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking pseudoephedrine. There’s a line of cold and sinus medications specifically for people with high blood pressure called Coricidin HBP.

Pain caused by a buildup of pressure in the nasal passages may be eased by using one of the following:

aspirin
acetaminophen (Tylenol)
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

If the nasal congestion is caused by an allergic reaction, antihistamines may help block inflammation.

Always follow your pharmacist’s advice and the guidelines on the package when taking OTC medications.

8. Get a prescription

Your doctor is unlikely to prescribe antibiotics unless you have chronic sinusitis or if your sinus infection is bacterial. Your allergist or primary care provider will determine whether your sinus infection is caused by bacteria or a virus. They’ll do this by:

asking about your symptoms
carrying out a physical examination
swabbing the inside of your nose (not routinely done)

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is a commonly prescribed drug for acute sinus infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is often prescribed for a bacterial sinus infection.

Depending on the type of antibiotic, they may be taken from 3 to 28 days. It’s important to take antibiotics for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Don’t stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve.

9. Take it easy

It takes time to get over sinusitis. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight the infection.

Seeking help for a sinus infection

Consult your doctor if you or your child has:

a temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
symptoms that have lasted for more than 10 days
symptoms that are getting worse
symptoms that aren’t eased by OTC medication
several sinus infections over the past year

If you have a sinus infection for eight weeks or more, or have more than four sinus infections per year, you may have chronic sinusitis. Common causes of chronic sinusitis are:

What causes a sinus infection?

A sinus infection occurs when the tissue in the sinuses swells up. This leads to a buildup of mucus, pain, and discomfort.

The sinuses are the air-filled pockets in the bones of the face that form the top part of the respiratory tract. These pockets run from the nose into the throat.

A sinus infection may be caused by anything that stops the sinuses from draining, such as:

the common cold
hay fever
exposure to allergens
nonallergic rhinitis
changes in air pressure

Viruses cause 9 out of 10 sinus infections in adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source.

To reduce your risk for sinus infection:

Wash your hands often, especially after you’ve been in crowded places, like public transportation.
Keep up to date with recommended immunizations.
Limit exposure to people with colds or other upper respiratory infections, if possible.
Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Use a clean humidifier to keep air moist in your home.
Get plenty of rest if you have a cold to reduce your risk for complications, like sinusitis.

What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

nasal congestion
loss of sense of smell
mucus dripping down the throat from the nose
green nasal discharge
tenderness under the eyes or on the bridge of the nose
mild to severe pain in the forehead or temples
cough
fatigue
fever
bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth

What’s the outlook?

Sinus infections are very common. Symptoms normally go away on their own within 10 days. OTC medications and natural remedies may help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms last more than 10 days, talk to your doctor.

Last Updated on March 10, 2021 by 247 News Around The World