Are Allergies And Sinus The Same

How Do You Know If It Is A Sinus Infection Or Allergies

Even if you know you have a sinus infection, an allergy test can help determine if allergies are contributing to the symptoms, which helps you make smart choices about changes in your environment that can decrease the odds of repeat infections. A Board-certified Allergist can clarify if allergies are contributing to your symptoms or if nonallergic factors are causing your problem.

Are you wondering if you may be suffering from allergies?

How To Tell If It Is Allergies Or Sinus Infection

Differing allergies and sinus infection from each other can be really troublesome because their almost similar signs and symptoms. But, knowing following points can help:

1. Know the Symptomatic Differences

Although they have similar symptoms, there are still many symptomatic differences that can help you tell them apart.

Facial pressures and pain

It is the most important factor that singles out sinus infection from allergies. In allergies, the facial pressures and pain are almost negligible when compared to that of sinus infections. In sinus infection, one feels pressure and pain in the nose, cheeks, forehead and upper jaw, which occasionally spreads to inner ear. Researchers state that the headache of a sinus infection worsens with passing days.

Fever, Body Aches, Nausea

A spot-on symptom, which tells whether you are suffering from allergies or sinus infection. It has been found out that only sinus infections are responsible for causing fever and body aches with added lack of appetite or nausea. The patient tends to feel more fatigued and sick while suffering from sinus infection when compared to seasonal allergies.

Itching

Different types of itches indicate different diseases, but an itchy nose and congestion in the nasal area projects allergic rhinitis or hay fever, rather than sinus infection.

Other Symptoms

2. Know Their Different Causes

3. Know Their Different Duration

Tips For Sinus And Allergy Relief

When allergy symptoms lead to sinus pressure and pain, you can take the steps below to avoid common allergens. If symptoms become severe, contact your doctor for allergy treatment.

Track Pollen

Weather services and the local news often have pollen forecasts. When you know allergens in the air will be high, stay inside or limit your exposure to the outdoors during certain seasonal periods of the year. The best time to go outside is after it has rained.

Wash Allergens Away

When you come inside, change clothes and consider taking a shower to remove allergens from your hair and skin. If not immediately, do this before sleeping so that you do not transfer allergens to your bed.

Filter Your Air

Air conditioners, especially when set to recycle internal air, can help limit outdoor allergens. You can also try a portable HEPA filter at home or work to reduce allergens in the air around you. Remember that open windows can let allergens in.

Chill Out & Relax

Try cooling your face to ease sinus pressure and pain by using an ice mask, bag of ice or cold compress on your eyes, nose and forehead. Relieving stress by gently massaging your neck and shoulders can help you relax and prevent sinus symptoms from feeling worse.

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What Causes Sinus Infections Vs Allergies

Sinus Infection

Sinus infections or sinusitis may be caused by anything that interferes with airflow into the sinuses and the drainage of mucus out of the sinuses. The sinus openings may be blocked by swelling of the tissue lining and adjacent nasal passage tissue, for example with

• tissue irritants such as OTC nasal sprays, cocaine, and cigarette smoke.
• Other causes of sinus infections or sinusitis
• Tumors or growths also can block the sinuses if they are near the sinus openings.

Dehydration, disease, drying medications, and lack of sufficient humidity can cause sinusitis or sinus infection.The drainage of mucous from the sinuses can also be impaired by thickening of the mucous secretions, by decrease in hydration of the mucous brought on by disease , drying medications , and lack of sufficient humidity in the air. The epithelial cells have small hair-like fibers, called cilia, which move back and forth to help the mucus move out of the sinuses. These small cilia may be damaged by many irritants, especially smoke. This can prevent them from assisting the mucus in draining from the sinuses, and thus results in sinus infections or sinusitis.

Stagnated mucus provides an environment for bacteria, viruses and in some circumstances, fungus, to grow within the sinus cavities. In addition, the microbes themselves can initiate and exacerbate sinus blockage. The most commonly infected sinuses are the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.

Allergies

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Chronic Sinusitis And Allergies What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Allergy Testing

Board-certified Allergists are highly trained physicians who specialize in the diagnoses and nonsurgical treatment of chronic sinus issues and allergies. They also specialize in the management of asthma since most asthmatics have allergic triggers that affect their breathing. Allergists focus on the underlying cause of the symptoms to lessen the need for medications and surgery. In doing so, Allergists are like medical detectives who take a comprehensive and integrated approach to treatment. Through the appropriate use of allergy testing, Allergists can help patients to understand their triggers and teach patients the environmental strategies needed to avoid their triggers. Allergists use allergy test results to decide which medications would be the most effective. Allergists can also guide patients through allergen immunotherapy to help relieve persistent nasal and sinus symptoms when medications are not helpful or when patients wish to minimize the need for medications.

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When To See A Doctor

You dont necessarily have to see your doctor for your allergies. The exception is if youve never been diagnosed with allergies before or if your allergies seem to be getting worse.

You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. They might recommend prescription medications instead. If your allergies have you particularly congested, they might also prescribe a .

Since sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics dont generally help. However, if your symptoms worsen or last longer than two weeks, you should see your doctor for some relief.

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Advanced Sinus Allergy Jobs

• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies advanced subject matter knowledge within a specific technical area and basic management knowledge to support the team.

• I was completely Satisfied beyond my expectations.

• Sarah J. Healthgrades

Can You Take Allergy Pills And Nasal Spray Together

When combined with oral antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays can prevent excess histamine production, but they can also be used to prevent excess histamine production when combined with oral antihistamines. oxymetazoline and nasal steroid sprays should not be confused.

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When To See An Allergist

Allergists/Immunologists are highly trained specialists that diagnose, treat, and manage allergic inflammation of all types through nonsurgical methods.

Allergies are caused when the immune system decides that an otherwise harmless substance is now a threat . Symptoms can be mild or severe, and in some cases, can lead to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis when triggered by foods, stinging insects or medications. Allergic reactions to environmental substances are very common and usually cause recurrent nasal congestion, uncomfortable facial pressure, nasal drainage, throat clearing, and/or sneezing. Many people with environmental allergies frequently complain of having chronic sinus headaches or sinus pain.

There is no doubt that allergies can have a major impact on the quality of life for people of all ages. Unfortunately, many people struggling with allergic nasal or sinus problems do not realize their symptoms are due to allergies and believe that their condition is untreatable. Fortunately, these symptoms can usually be effectively managed or even prevented with an Allergists help.

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The Role Of Allergens

Things you are allergic to can cause all sorts of reactions in your body, but the primary reaction is inflammatory. Arizona allergies can be particularly nasty especially in combination with our dry air. Your bodys inflammatory response can result in mucus deposits becoming stagnant and promoting bacterial or viral growth inside your sinuses. This can cause many issues for you if it goes untreated.

Its important to know whether you have allergies or not and specifically what you are allergic to. This is where allergy testing plays an important role. Knowing what youre allergic to will help you find the right medicine , and can also help you avoid irritants in the future. Discovering the specific allergens or dander that causes you trouble plays a pivotal role in treating and preventing further sinus damage and irritation.

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Treatment For Chronic Sinusitis

Antibiotics: The usual method of treatment for bacterial sinusitis is through a prescription for antibiotics. The length of the antibiotics course depends partially on the type of medicine that is taken, and also it depends on how severe or lengthy the case of sinusitis has been. The normal experience for a patient is that the medicine is taken for 3-28 days.

In light of common issues connected with antibiotics, such as abuse and overuse, there has been an obvious decrease in the effectiveness of these medicines. If a patient has only been experiencing symptoms for a few days, it is likely antibiotics will not be prescribed. If the symptoms are persistent , or worsening, a patient should then acquire a prescription for antibiotics from their doctor.

The purpose of antibiotics is not to alleviate symptoms, but to attack the bacterium that causes the infection in the first place. Therefore, when the antibiotics are taken, the effects may not be felt for a few days until the bacteria have been fully attacked.

If a patient needs immediate pain or symptom relief, there are various over-the-counter medications that can help.

Nasal Decongestant Sprays: Nasal decongestant sprays are not designed to fix the overall issues pertaining to sinus infections, but as a symptom reliever, to reduce swelling in the nasal passages, helping the flow of bacteria and mucus to be facilitated and clear the sinuses.

Surgery for Chronic Sinusitis

What Kind Of Tests Does An Ent Do

ENTs employ a wide variety of tests in helping them determine the causes of a patients ear, nose, and throat discomfort. Visual, tactile examination and endoscopy all provide a baseline from which additional tests like laboratory analysis and imaging can confirm. Appropriate treatment is then provided for the given diagnosis.

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What Causes Allergies Or Allergic Responses

Allergies, medically known as Allergic Rhinitis is an immune disorder where the body picks up on the presence of foreign substances known as allergens. Allergens can be everything from dust, pollen, or aerosols, to certain foods or substances such as peanuts or lime juice.

The allergic reaction originates within the immune systemit treats harmless allergens as something threatening. When that happens the body releases a substance into the bloodstream known as histamine. You probably know that term if youve ever shopped for OTC allergy medicine and seen antihistamines.

Its because of your sinuses, which are air-filled membranes within your skull in the facial area near the brow. They are connected to your nasal passages by a series of tubes or channels that are collectively known as the osteomeatal complex. Because of this complex, air can flow from your nose into the sinuses. This in turn makes it possible for mucous to drain from the sinuses into your nose.

Is It Allergies Or Sinusitis

You can always tell when your allergies come back. Sniffling, sneezing and coughing disrupt your day, itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose halt productivity, and congestion keeps you from sleeping a wink.

Its no secret allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions. They are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness, affecting 50 million Americans per year.1 However, the symptoms associated with allergies are common to many types of illnesses. In fact, what you may have assumed were allergies could actually be an entirely different condition. If your symptoms arent responding to traditional allergy treatments, it may be time to investigate whether your allergies are actually sinusitis in disguise.

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Is Allergies And Sinus The Same Thing

Is Allergies And Sinus The Same Thing. Once your sinuses are less swollen you might try taking allegra every day during your allergy season and. The pasha snoring and sinus.

Well maybe you are right and maybe not. It can also wash away allergens from your nose and sinuses. Pressure caused by nasal congestion is usually found in the sinus area. You may also have a when things get chronic. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

The main symptom of post-nasal drip is the feeling of having phlegm in the back of your throat. There are several different conditions that can result in the same symptom, and determining the cause is the best way to make sure you receive the best treatment.

There are many causes of post-nasal drip, or phlegm in the throat. They include:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Overuse of nasal sprays such as Afrin
• Hormonal causes such as pregnancy or hypothyroidism

Despite the variety of causes, the symptoms are similar .

Providing Quality Care And Treatment

At Advanced ENT & Allergy Center in Denver, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality of medical care for our patients suffering with allergies and sinus issues. Our team of doctors is well-trained and has extensive experience in sinus, nasal, and throat treatment. We work hard to make your visit as comfortable and pleasant as possible, treating you with care and respect both during and after your appointment.

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Chronic Sinus Infection Treatment Options

Your Primary Care Manager may treat the suspected underlying condition if you get Chronic or frequent recurring sinus infections. The underlying condition that usually causes chronic sinusitis is allergies.

Treatments:

• Topical antihistamine sprays and/or oral pills
• Leukotriene antagonists
• Rinsing nasal passages routinely

There may be a situation where these treatment options are not enough to control your chronic sinusitis. Therefore, your doctor may order you a CT scan to further examine your sinuses. Additionally, your doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist.

When sinusitis isnt controlled by one of the above treatments, a CT scan is used to take a better look at your sinuses.

Balloon Sinuplasty Provides Long

Have you been suffering with chronic congestion and stuffy nose? Does it seem like you always have a sinus infection? Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure done right in the office of Capitol Breathe Free. It gently opens the sinuses to bring you lasting relief without a long recovery period or painful side effects.

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Sinus Infection Vs Allergies: What’s The Difference

Both sinus infections and allergies cause symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose and fatigue.

Sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses, caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi . A sinus infection that lasts three to eight weeks is considered acute. Sinus infections lasting longer than eight weeks are considered chronic. A sinus infection is often contagious and may be mistaken for the common cold. When sinus infections are caused by bacteria, an antibiotic treatment may be prescribed.

Signs and symptoms of sinus infection include runny or stuffy nose, greenish nasal discharge, cough, postnasal drip, tenderness of the face under the eyes or at the bridge of the nose, sinus headache, fever, tooth pain, fatigue, and bad breath. Home remedies for sinus infections are aimed at reliving symptoms and include staying hydrated, using a steam vaporizer, taking over-the-counter sinus or pain medications, and nasal irrigation with devices such as a Neti pot.

Allergicrhinitis occurs when certain allergies cause nasal symptoms. When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander, symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, itching, sneezing, and fatigue occur. Allergic rhinitis that is a result of allergic reactions to plant pollens is commonly called hay fever or seasonal allergies. Limiting exposure to allergy triggers can help reduce allergy symptoms.