Monday, March 25, 2024

Why Does Sinus Infection Cause Fatigue

How Long Does Post

Sinusitis & Fatigue

Recovery from post-viral fatigue varies from person to person, and theres no clear timeline. Some recover to the point where they can return to all of their daily activities after a month or two, while others continue to have symptoms for years.

According to a small 2017 study in Norway, getting an early diagnosis may improve recovery. A better prognosis is often associated with people who have had the condition for a longer period of time.

If you think you might have post-viral fatigue, try to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have limited access to healthcare and live in the United States, you can find free or low-cost health centers here.

Untreated Sinus Infection Risks

Sinus infections often start to improve on their own after about 10 days. If your symptoms last longer without improving or if they worsen, a doctor may need to treat the underlying cause of the infection.

If a sinus infection affects a sinus cavity close to the brain, it can spread to the brain if left untreated. Though rare, an infection can also pass into the eye socket and cause vision changes or blindness. These types of infections are more common in kids.

While uncommon, a serious fungal sinus infection left untreated may pass into the bones.

Make an appointment with a doctor if you have severe symptoms, or if the following symptoms last longer than 10 days or keep coming back:

Because the cause of your sinus infection can affect your treatment options, its important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if youre looking for a doctor.

If you believe you have chronic or recurring sinusitis, consider asking for a referral to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist. You may need imaging and other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems.

Conditions causing your chronic infections may include:

Woke Up And Couldnt Smell The Coffee: Chronic Sinusitis And Its Effect On Mood

You are familiar with the symptoms a pounding headache, struggling to breathe, and thick nasal discharge all classic signs of another sinus infection. Chronic sinus infections are enough to get anyone feeling down, but studies show that as many as one-fourth of chronic sinusitis sufferers also suffer from depression.

Recommended Reading: Mucinex Fast Max Cold And Sinus

What Can I Do About It

The best way to fight mood swings during chronic sinus blockage is to treat the infection. If traditional treatments havent proven successful, meaning stronger antibiotics and steroids have not helped, then it may be time to consult with a rhinologist for further treatment. A CT scan of your sinuses and nasal endoscopy may be necessary to better assess the problem if it persists despite aggressive antibiotic treatment. If antibiotics are proven ineffective to treat the problem, a procedure may be necessary to open the infected sinus or sinuses and clear the infection. Dr. Kuperan will perform the right sinus surgery for you, depending on your needs. There are multiple options like balloon sinuplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery. There is not one single solution that is correct for every patient. Dr. Kuperans specialized expertise and experience as a rhinologist will make sure you get the best treatment, so you can quickly get your life back on track.

What Are Risk Factors For Acute Sinusitis

Sinusitis  Dr. Yasir Unani Herbal Hospital &  Research Center

Some people are more likely than others to get acute sinusitis. These include:

  • People who have allergies.
  • People who have structural problems with their noses or polyps, which are growths that can hang inside noses or sinus cavities.
  • People who spend a great deal of time in places where infections happen, like preschools or day cares.

Don’t Miss: Things To Take For Sinus Infection

Can Allergies Cause Fatigue And Body Aches

Once patients ask and receive the answer to the question, Can allergies cause fatigue? they are apt to wonder if allergies might be behind other frustrating symptoms. One of these lesser-known symptoms of allergies is body aches.

Allergies cause inflammation not only in your nasal tissues but in other areas of your body as well, including the tissues in your joints. This inflammation can cause body aches, which can be compounded by fatigue. Allergy-related body aches may also stem from frequent snoring or coughing, which can create wear and tear on a patients body.

How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask you a lot of questions in order to develop a detailed medical history and find out about your symptoms. They will also do a physical examination. During the exam, your care provider will check your ears, nose and throat for any swelling, draining or blockage. An endoscope may be used to look inside the nose. In some cases, you might be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist. If you needed an imaging exam, your provider would order a computed tomography scan.

Also Check: Best Otc Treatment For Sinus Infection

Sinus Congestion Relief And Restoring Your Energy

Sinus problems are connected with dehydration, infections, and a lack of sleep, which can all lead to fatigue. A few methods are available if you want relief and to be more rested. Nasal decongestants, steroids, and even nasal irrigation can help.

There are also several natural remedies, ranging from tea to steam. Taking a hot shower can help clear out your sinuses. A humidifier provides moisture to the roombreathing this in lubricates dry nasal passages to loosen up the mucus. However, theres another proven solution that uses heat as a weapon against your sinus woes.

Sniff Relief

Set at temperatures from 100 to 140°F, the Sniff Relief mask provides an all-natural solution. Plus, it is designed for comfort. Its bendable nose bridge molds around your nose. Medication can take an hour or more to provide relief the mask begins to work immediately, distributing heat to your skin, where it enhances blood flow and is absorbed by the sinuses, loosening thick mucus.

Looking for an effective, natural nasal congestion remedy? Buy a Sniff Relief mask online today or contact us for more information.

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Sinusitis

Sinus Headaches: Causes & Treatment

Though many cases of acute sinusitis can improve with little to no treatment, you should call the doctor if you experience any painful symptoms. An antibiotic may be needed for a bacterial infection.

If you find that your sinuses do not feel better after 10 days, symptoms have gotten worse, or you have symptoms that initially improved and then worsen five to six days later , you should contact your healthcare provider. Symptoms that continue after about four weeks may mean you have subacute or chronic sinusitis. If you develop other types of symptoms, such as severe eye swelling, or you are just not sure what you should do next, call your provider.

If you have facial pain, and you have healthy teeth, you can try things like nasal rinses and warm, wet washcloths on your face to see if you find some relief. If so, and if your symptoms go away in about 10 days, you probably have had acute sinusitis and it has gotten better on its own. If not, and you continue to feel ill after three or four weeks, call your provider.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/04/2020.

References

Also Check: Natural Ways To Help With Sinus Infection

How Is Sinusitis Treated

Sinusitis is treated in several ways, each depending on how severe the case of sinusitis is.

A simple sinusitis infection is treated with:

  • Drinking fluids .

If symptoms of sinusitis don’t improve after 10 days, your doctor may prescribe:

  • Oral or topical decongestants.
  • Prescription intranasal steroid sprays. .

Long-term sinusitis may be treated by focusing on the underlying condition . This is usually treated with:

  • Intranasal steroid sprays.
  • Topical antihistamine sprays or oral pills.
  • Leukotriene antagonists to reduce swelling and allergy symptoms.
  • Rinsing the nose with saline solutions that might also contain other types of medication.

When sinusitis isn’t controlled by one of the above treatments, a CT scan is used to take a better look at your sinuses. Depending on the results, surgery may be needed to correct structural problems in your sinuses. This is most likely to happen if you have polyps and/or a fungal infection.

What Our Patients Say

After living for years with a deviated septum and chronic sinusitis, I can breathe again and have not gotten any sinus problem since the procedure two months ago. Procedure was quick, painless, and almost instant results. Everyone is super friendly and it is always a pleasure to go into the office. Thanks! Jon S.

Don’t Miss: How To Knock Out A Sinus Infection Quick

How Is Chronic Sinusitis Different From Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis comes on suddenly and is easier to recognize than chronic sinusitis. Symptoms include pain in the face, thick or discolored mucus, and usually a fever. Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, comes on very slowly and insidiously. Your immune system has a chance to keep things at bay, so symptoms can be much more difficult to recognize and diagnose.

The type and severity of symptoms also vary widely for chronic sinus issues. For instance, you may have a headache and some mild nasal congestion as your only symptoms of chronic sinusitis, while another person may have a chronic cough with some hoarseness.

How To Treat A Sinus Infection At Home

Sinus Infection Light Headed Fatigue

You can effectively treat sinus infections at home with over-the-counter medicines or one or more home remedies.

Dethlefs recommends, Drink plenty of water, use Vicks vapor rub on chest and bottoms of feet, rest and sleep and humidifier. One thing I like to do when my family is sick is boil water on the stove and melt Vicks vapor rub in it. Then pour solution in ice cube trays and freeze. Add 1-2 ice cubs to bottom of shower.

OTC medicines that may improve symptoms of a sinus infection include:

  • Nasal decongestant sprays help reduce swelling in the nasal passages to promote drainage flow from the sinuses. This sinus infection treatment should only be used for three to four days to reduce the risk of rebound congestion.
  • Nasal corticosteroid sprays help reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages without causing rebound congestion.
  • Antihistamines remain particularly helpful for those whose nasal passages become inflamed and swollen due to seasonal allergies.
  • Nasal saline washes and rinses help clear mucus from the nasal passages to promote easier breathing.

Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if OTC medicines fail to relieve your symptoms within seven to 10 days. Antibiotics are usually only prescribed as a last-resort treatment for sinus infections due to the risk of overuse, which may lead to other difficult-to-treat infections.

Home remedies for sinus infection include:

Recommended Reading: Does Cipro Treat Sinus Infection

Colored Nasal Drainage Or Colored Post Nasal Drip

Sinusitis often presents nasal discharge as your mucous membrane of your sinuses and nose are attached. The drainage can be:

  • Colored yellow or green

This discharge increase is why individuals have to blow their nose frequently. If this discharge trickles down your throat, it could lead to an unpleasant taste in your mouth as well as an itchy feeling in the back of your throat, called post-nasal drip.

What Are Some Sinus Infection Causes

Sinus cavities are the empty areas around our eyes and nose. They help us to manage the air we breathe and help our ability to speak, breathe, and sing. Our sinus cavities are where our mucus is produced and where sinus infections occur.

The mucus in our sinus cavities trap things like mold, bacteria, viruses and dirt. When working correctly our mucus traps the foreign substances and our bodies drain it out so that it can not make us sick. Sometimes however, the trapped substances will cause our bodies to react with swelling and inflammation. The mucus then gets trapped due to the swelling and an infection develops.

Also Check: Prescription Nose Spray For Sinus Infection

Sinusitis & Bladder Issues My Life Is So Much Fun

I knew I was feeling too well there for a while. I get my hopes up, feel well for a while and think that maybe just this once, I am finally getting my life and my health under control. Then I get this bad sinus infection and I remember oh, thats right! I have chronic sinusitis, which is common in people who have chronic fatigue syndrome.

I have been feeling sick on and off for a while but last week, last Saturday in particular, I started feeling extremely bad to the point where I had to call off of work. On Monday I went to the doctor and she confirmed my suspicions I have yet another sinus infection. My ears, in her words, are full of mucus and so cloudy she could barely see my ear drums. My throat had, what she referred to, as the hallmark cobblestone bumps of sinus drainage and infection.

My head feels like it is going to explode, and even after 5 days on antibiotics, I still feel like I havent improved any at all. My ears are still full and I have that gushy, woozy feeling when I am upright. I assume it is from all of the mucus and pressure in my head. I always feel like I have to blow my nose, but when I do, very little will come out. It is as if all of this infection and mucus and junk is just stuck in there, refusing to budge. I need to get it out so that I can get better.

Just to be on the safe side, she put me on an antibiotic to cover both a bladder & sinus infection but neither one has improved any. So Im thinking a few things:

Discharge From The Nose Or In The Throat

Allergies, Sinus Infections and Vertigo: Is There a Connection?

The most noticeable symptom of a sinus infection is the presence of discharge from the nose. This sign is similar to what you would experience with a regular cold or seasonal flu. The mucus from your sinuses may also drip down the back of your throat .

The color of the discharge may help you identify whether youre experiencing a common cold or a sinus infection. The former will often cause nasal mucus that is watery and clear or cloudy. The latter often comes with mucus that has a green or yellow tint. The discoloration is not a product of the bacteria itself. Instead, it is a result of your immune system fighting the infection by increasing white blood cells.

Also Check: Young Living Oils For Sinus Pressure

After Visiting 5 Specialists And Undergoing Multiple X

This week we sat down with Will Hodgess, a 34-year-old artist based in NYC. Will moved from London, UK to NYC and was suffering from headaches, sinus pressure, and extreme fatigue. He visited multiple GPs and specialists, had X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs yet nobody was able to find the root cause of his symptoms.

After realizing it was time to look at the bigger picture and dig deeper into his symptoms, he came to Parsley. This is Wills story of how he was able to drastically improve his energy levels, increase his brain function, and overall feel better than he has in years.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between Chronic Sinusitis And Other Issues Like Migraine Headaches

You probably cant tell the difference between all of these things. So, in cases where you have a constant headache, or facial pain, or tooth pain, you should call your healthcare provider to get a diagnosis. This is especially true if you have tried different therapies and have not been able to find relief. Your primary healthcare provider might even find it difficult to diagnose you properly and might suggest you see a specialist. This would be an otolaryngologist, commonly called an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Also Check: At Home Treatment Sinus Infection

Other Remedies For Symptom Relief

Staying hydrated can help thin mucus to ease congestion.

Drinking hot liquids such as tea and broth may help relieve your symptoms. Breathing in moist air may also help relieve the discomfort that comes with nasal congestion. Try breathing in steam from the shower, a bowl of hot water, or a mug of tea.

If your voice is hoarse, rest it by avoiding yelling, whispering, and singing.

Placing a warm compress over the inflamed area can help reduce pressure and provide relief.

damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.

If you smoke, consider quitting. Ask a doctor if you need help or are interested in quitting. Quitting may help prevent future episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis.

Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.

Using a humidifier during the cooler, dryer months may also help prevent sinus infections.

Talk with a doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. If youre allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.

You may need to seek an allergy specialist to determine the cause of the allergy. The specialist may suggest:

  • avoiding the allergen

Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.

How Do I Prevent Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis

You may be able to prevent infections and chronic sinusitis if you:

  • Treat the underlying conditions behind chronic sinusitis, like asthma and allergies.
  • Avoid allergens such as animal dander, dust, pollen, smoke and mold that trigger swelling in the sinuses.
  • Quit smoking if you do smoke and avoid any secondhand smoke.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Rinse your nasal passages with saline solution, either purchased or with a neti pot.
  • Eat healthy foods, stay hydrated and exercise regularly to stay healthy overall.
  • Use a humidifier to keep nasal tissues moist.

Also Check: How To Beat Crohns Fatigue

Also Check: What Is The Best Medicine For Sinus And Chest Congestion

Popular Articles
Related news