A Cold or Worse? 11 Signs of Sinusitis

Cold & Flu Center

Though sinusitis simply means your sinuses are infected or inflamed, the term gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. Health experts estimate that 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Here are 11 ways to know whether you're one of them:
Headache when you wake in the morning


Pain when touching your forehead over the frontal sinuses


Achiness in the upper jaw and teeth; your cheeks also become tender to the touch


Swelling of the eyelids and tissues around your eyes, and pain between your eyes


Earaches, neck pain, and deep aching at the top of your head


Fever


Weakness


Tiredness


A cough that may be more severe at night


Nasal congestion


A sore throat caused by postnasal drip down the back of your throat


After diagnosing sinusitis and identifying a possible cause, your health care provider will probably suggest treatments such as decongestants, antibiotics, and pain relievers to reduce the inflammation and relieve your symptoms.