Sinusitis, aka the Sinus Infection

On January 14^th of 2009, I was sure that I had the worst cold ever that just would not go away. After two weeks of sneezing, coughing up green colored mucus, running fevers and feeling absolutely terrible, I finally decided to go to my local medical clinic. I had taken an array of over the counter prescriptions that included NyQuil, DayQuil, Mucinex, Zycam, Benadryl, Robitussin, Sudafed and Theraflu. None of these over the counter drugs were really relieving my symptoms and all of my cold remedy cocktails weren't helping either, so the nurse practitioner at the Memphis Health Loop was my last hope.

The nurse practitioner seemed slightly surprised that the plethora of over the counter drugs that I had taken had not helped me at all. She used her stethoscope to listen to my chest, and a tongue depressor to push down my tongue and look at my throat. The nurse practitioner then examined my ears and nose. She finally diagnosed me with a condition called Sinusitis, and gave me prescriptions for Ocean nose spray, Pseudoephedrine (active ingredient in Sudafed), and an antibiotic called Amoxicillin. I was told to take the next two days off of work, get plenty of rest, and take the medicine as prescribed.

Sinusitis can be described in very easy to understand terms. This condition is basically the swelling of the sinus linings due to an infection of the sinus cavities. Sinusitis is also known as the sinus infection. The symptoms of Sinusitis include but are not limited to pressure in the head, soreness and pain behind, above, or below the eyes, a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, postnasal drainage and fever. The sinus infection can sometimes follow a cold that was not treated promptly or properly. Sinusitis is usually treated with decongestants, nose sprays and antibiotics. Treatment of a sinus infection usually lasts several weeks or until the condition clears. It is very important that the patient who has been diagnosed with Sinusitis follow the directions for treatment provided by their physician.

If you have had cold symptoms that have lasted more than a week you should consult your physician. You might just have a condition called Sinusitis, also known as the sinus infection.