Can A Sinus Infection Make You Cough
Can a sinus infection make you cough? Yes a sinus infection can definitely lead to coughing. This particular situation has everything to do with excess mucus and how your sinuses attempt to drain that mucus.
When youre dealing with cold symptoms, youre suffering from allergies, or you have a sinus infection, your body is likely to create more mucus than normal, which can end up draining into the throat. While this sounds rather disgusting, mucus in the throat is pretty common, and it can happen whether youre sick or not.
However, when this drainage happens persistently for an extended period of time, you can find yourself with a nagging cough. A cough from a sinus infection isnt necessarily cause for alarm, and it doesnt mean you automatically need to book an appointment with your doctor.
Lets break down coughing during a sinus infection and what a doctor might recommend as treatment.
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What Causes Postnasal Drip
- Certain medications, including some for birth control and blood pressure
- Deviated septum, which is the crooked placement of the wall that separates the two nostrils, or some other problem with the structure of the nose that affects the sinuses
- Changing weather, cold temperatures, or really dry air
- Certain foods
- Fumes from chemicals, perfumes, cleaning products, smoke, or other irritants
Sometimes the problem is not that youâre producing too much mucus, but that itâs not being cleared away. Swallowing problems can cause a buildup of liquids in the throat, which can feel like postnasal drip. These problems can sometimes occur with age, a blockage, or conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.
When To Go To A Doctor For A Sinus Infection
An untreated sinus infection can turn into a chronic infection, so its important to see the doctor if your symptoms arent improving on their own. We recommend making an appointment with your doctor if:
- Your symptoms havent improved after two days of at-home treatment
- You have cold symptoms that last for 10 days
- You have a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Youre experiencing severe pain in the upper part of your face or your teeth
- You have facial pain from the bridge of your nose to your lower eyelid
- You notice thick and discolored mucus
- You have mild face pain for a month or longer
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Otc Medicine For Sinus Congestion
When your sinuses become inflamed and congested, this means that the tiny, air-filled spaces that are connected to your nasal cavity have been blocked or are unable to drain normally. This buildup of mucus then causes a feeling of pressure or fullness in your forehead, eyes, or jaw. Luckily, OTC medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can alleviate pain caused by the pressure buildup.
Here are the most common types of OTC medication for sinus congestion:
1. Decongestant: Nasal decongestants are available in tablets, liquids, and nasal sprays and work by reducing blood flow to the sinuses, ultimately reducing nasal swelling and inflammation. Popular nasal decongestants include:
- Phenylephrine with brand names Sudafed PE, Vicks Sinex, and Pretz-D.
- Pseudoephedrine with brand names Sudafed, Dimetapp Decongestant, and 12 Hour Cold Maximum Strength.
2. Pain reliever: There are two main categories of pain relievers:
3. Antihistamines: Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies, but they can be used to treat stomach problems and the common cold among other ailments. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which your immune system releases to protect against foreign invasions. Histamines cause symptoms like inflammation, congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing. So antihistamines are designed to alleviate those symptoms. Popular antihistamines include cetirizine and fexofenadine .
Spice It Up With Garlic
Garlic and its relative, the onion, stimulate many of the same pathways as peppers to reduce inflammation and pain. Allicin, a sulfur compound created when garlic is crushed or cut, is antibacterial, antifungal, and even kills some viruses, too.
Garlic has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a perfect addition to any meal. Not only do your sinuses benefit, but its great for protecting the heart and fighting the common cold. What makes garlic so great is you can easily add it to your meals. Its a very versatile spice that goes well with almost anything! Try these garlic mushroom burgers for a tasty and healthy meal packed with garlic.
What makes garlic so great is you can easily add it to your meals. Its a very versatile spice that goes well with almost anything!
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Best For Upper Respiratory Allergies: Vicks Sinus Mucus Medicine
For a low asking price, Vicks Sinus Mucus Medicine has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. The Vicks sinus mucus medicine with active ingredients, is highly recommended and it is designed for maximum strength. So you can breathe freely fast. Moreover, this is very fast and it feels better.
Most importantly, the vicks sinus mucus medicine is coated with titanium dioxide and it is made with propylene glycol.
Almost all customers opine that the medicine takes care of allergies and sinus drainage. Also, a few strongly agree that medicine is a good help for someone that has sinus problems. The gel cap makes it easy to go down. Further, a few say that the medicine does wonders with sinus pressure, headaches and helps relieve mucus. In short, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.
Why We Like This:
- Vicks sinex all-in-one + mucus liquicaps helps ease your sinus issues.
- Trusted relief from the makers of vicks.
- This is great for common colds and it is good for upper respiratory allergies.
- This works better, the price is great and it is good for fast relief.
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What Are Complications Of Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis
While serious complications do not occur frequently, it is possible for a sinus infection to cause a direct extension of infection into the brain through a sinus wall, creating a life-threatening emergency .
In addition, other adjacent structures can become infected and develop problems, such as osteomyelitis of bones in the skull and infection around the eye . Rarely, these infections may cause death. The most susceptible individuals to complications are patients with suppressed immune systems, diabetes, and relatively rarely from multiple trauma injuries that may occur in natural disasters.
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Elevate Your Head While You Sleep
If you suffer from post nasal drip, you know how difficult it can be to sleep with extra mucus running down your nose and throat. You can combat this by simply adjusting your pillows so that your head is elevated. If you find that two pillows underneath your head is uncomfortable, try placing a pillow between the box springs and mattress. This will create a gentle slope that elevates your head, preventing mucus pooling in your throat which lessens the effects of post nasal drip.
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Why Do I Have Nasal Congestion
The causes of nasal congestion or a âstuffy noseâ is when membranes in the nasal passages in your face become irritated and/or inflamed. This inflammation blocks your nasal passages, giving you that âstuffed upâ feeling. When your passage gets irritated, your body makes extra mucus that may build up and cause a blockage. When you find yourself breathing through your mouth, this is the cause. Its commonly caused by colds, sinus infections, allergies, and some more serious conditions. There are several options to help relieve your symptoms. Many sufferers choose to use home remedies for nasal congestion or visit an ENT.
Learn more about nasal congestion causes
How To Get Rid Of Sinus Mucus
Clogged nose? Aching face? You might just have swollen sinuses. Either caused by allergens or by any environmental factors, swollen sinuses give you that stuffy feeling in your nose that makes breathing hard.
How does one get rid of mucus?
The mucous membrane, aka the goblet cells, produces the mucus that causes the congestion. This membrane is kept healthy by Vitamin A. If youre deficient of Vitamin A, chances are youre prone to getting mucus in your sinuses.
The best long-term remedy is to take enough essential nutrients to keep sickness at bay.
However, if you think youre taking in the recommended value for essential nutrients, then your gallbladder might just not be healthy. An unhealthy gallbladder could be the reason why youre not absorbing enough nutrients, specifically vitamin A.
Otherwise, the microbes called biofilms are to be blamed. In this case, you need the protein serrapeptase to relieve you of your clogged sinuses. Its strong enough to get into your sinuses, cleanse them, and liquefy the mucus. This makes it easy to get rid of the mucus from your sinuses.
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What Can I Do
While you wait for your infection to run its course, you can take steps at home to feel better.
Look into nasal sprays. Store-bought saline nasal spray loosens up mucus, temporarily clearing it from your nasal passages. A steroid nasal spray like fluticasone may help tame inflammation, especially if you have underlying allergies. Unsure about using a steroid? Follow package directions and go to your HCP with questions.
Be wary of decongestant nasal sprays, like oxymetazoline . Using them for longer than three days could cause rebound symptoms persistent stuffiness eased only by the spray itself. Dryness and addiction are also possibilities.
Embrace sinus rinses like the neti pot. Many sinus infection veterans swear by nasal irrigation systems, such as plastic squeeze bottles or teakettle-shaped neti pots. These devices are filled with a sterile saline solution and used to flush snot from your sinuses.
Neti pots and their ilk are widely available and typically safe, as long as you handle them properly. Dont use water directly from your tap. Instead use distilled water, a sterile saline solution or water that has been boiled and then cooled.
Try over-the-counter medicines. Experts recommend analgesics including acetaminophen , ibuprofen and aspirin to ease pain, as well as decongestants like pseudoephedrine to alleviate the pressure of congestion.
Finally, you may want to avoid flying or scuba diving, since either can aggravate sinus pain.
How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infections In 24 Hours
If you are one of the millions of Americans that battle frequent or long-term sinus infections and are seeking a sinusitis treatment that does not involve risky surgery, there is good news sinusitis treatment is available. Balloon Sinuplasty is a safe and minimally invasive solution for long-lasting relief from sinus infection causes.
This safe and simple sinus infection treatment can be done in the comfort of the office with our Board Certified Otolaryngologist, Dr. Brian Lee. The procedure gently inflates the sinus cavity to clear the blockage and restore the natural flow from the body. If you would like to know more about balloon sinuplasty and how to cure sinus infections permanently, schedule your appointment today and start your journey toward real and lasting sinus infection relief.
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Ways To Clear Clogged Sinuses
Food alone may not be enough to get rid of the symptoms of your seasonal allergies and infections. e may not be enough to get rid of the symptoms of your seasonal allergies and infections. When it comes to sinus problems the foods you eat are just as important as the foods you dont eat. Other lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and staying hydrated can all help prevent sinus problems and leave you feeling clearer. Try these easy activities to stay decongested and breathing fine even when sinus infections are at their worst:
What Causes A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection can be caused by several different things including:
Seasonal allergies A deviated septum: The septum is the part of the nose that divides it into right and left nostrils. Some people have crooked or deviated septums, which makes them more susceptible to sinus infections. Nasal polyps Respiratory tract infections
Sinus infections may be acute or chronic .
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Its Probably Allergies If:
Your mucus is clear or watery. And it will stay clear, instead of becoming thick or discolored like it can with a cold, says Michael Benninger, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Your eyes are itchy or watery. Itâs rare to have itchy eyes when you have a cold.
Your symptoms stay the same.âAllergies may feel extra intense for the first day or 2, but youâll have the same symptoms day after day,â Benninger says.
Youâve had the sniffles for more than a week. A cold usually clears up in 7 to 10 days, but allergies can last several weeks or longer.
Your symptoms show up only in certain situations. Find yourself sneezing every spring or fall? Those are common times for allergies. Another allergy tip-off: Being in a specific place makes you feel miserable â for example, in a house with a cat.
When To Seek Medical Care
See a doctor if you have:
- Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
- Symptoms that get worse after improving.
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
- Fever longer than 3-4 days.
You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.
This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.
Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:
- Seasonal allergies
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Sinusitis And Sinus Infections
Most sinus infection medicine ultimately seeks to relieve inflammation around the sinus cavities. This inflammation is most often caused by a virus or bacteria and results in a blockage that prevents mucus from naturally draining out of the sinus cavities. This inflammation results in painful symptoms and the blocked mucus may lead to additional infection. A single sinus infection can last 2 or more weeks.
Patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis often seek relief from a variety of over-the-counter sinus infection medication or prescription antibiotics, such as a sinus infection z pack. Patients may find temporary symptom relief through pharmaceuticals however, these medications often carry a number of undesirable side effects including:
- Drowsiness or insomnia
- Individual complications
How To Get Rid Of Excess Mucus And Phlegm
If you have chronic problems with mucus and phlegm, try the following. These remedies also help if your problem with mucus and phlegm progresses to a post-nasal drip.
Hydrate more
Drink more water. Also, consider your medications or any dehydrating beverages you regularly drink like coffee, alcohol and some teas.
A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water to make your urine pale, Dr. Bryson advises.
Use a humidifier
This can help your body moisturize your throat and nasal passages and may help you reduce mucus and phlegm production.
Opt for a cool-mist humidifier and make sure you clean it regularly per its directions.
Check filters on heating and cooling systems
Make sure the filters are clean and functioning well to keep dust and other potential irritants out of the air.
Use a nasal saline spray
This helps rinse and hydrate tissues in your nose and sinuses. Use a sterile spray that has sodium chloride.
Gargle with salt water
Using salt water can ease your irritated throat by clearing away mucus.
Use eucalyptus
Whether its a eucalyptus balm or essential oil in a diffuser, the scent of eucalyptus can help loosen mucus in your chest.
Use over-the-counter medication
If youre concerned about allergies, remember that the testing is easy and straightforward, says Dr. Bryson. You can also try over-the-counter allergy medications, which may solve your issue.
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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.