I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
In terms of symptoms, a cold and a sinus infection often mimic one another. For this reason, it's easy to assume that you have a cold when in fact you're dealing with a sinus infection. If you don't know how to distinguish between the two, here are some tips that can assist you.
Heavy Nasal Discharge
When you have a cold, it's common to have a runny nose. However, it's not common to have a seemingly never ending flow of heavy nasal discharge. If you're experiencing this issue, it could be that you have a sinus infection.
The reason for this is that when you have an infection, as a way to protect itself, the body will produce a thick mucus within the nasal cavities. This mucus is often of a green or yellow hue and seems to always come back no matter how often you blow your nose. A cold on the other hand won't produce nearly as much mucus.
Facial Pressure
Another indication that you're experiencing a sinus infection and not just a cold is facial pressure. When you have a sinus infection, your sinus cavities become inflamed, which extends around your nose and eyes and can sometimes even be felt around your cheeks.
This swelling causes pressure in the area that can range from mild discomfort to intense pain. With a cold, the pain experience is more in line with a headache and is often not as painful. This pressure can also cause problems with your ability to smell.
Long Lifespan
One of the things that makes a cold so non-threatening is the fact that they generally go away on their own with minimal treatment. However, this is not always the case when it comes to a sinus infection. Since it is in fact an infection, it will generally only go away with antibiotic treatment, which your physician can provide.
If you've been taking cold medicine for some time and your symptoms seem to be the same or they are worsening, it's likely a sinus infection you have. It's important to get treatment as the longer the infection lasts, the more complicated the symptoms can become, only leading to greater health concerns.
If you suspect you have a sinus infection, it's time to speak with services like Premier Urgent Care Centers of California, Inc. to relieve your symptoms. A physician can evaluate you and get you the treatment you need.
Share4 May 2017
