Sinus infections are common, affecting 31 million Americans. If you’re suffering from a stuffy nose and headaches, West Sacramento Urgent Care offers rapid diagnosis with a convenient onsite lab. Zaid A. Ali, MD and his team can recommend the right treatment to set you on the path to recovery. Get the care you need now by calling the West Sacramento, California, office or booking a consultation online.
A sinus infection is an inflammation of your sinuses. Your sinuses are the air-filled structures located:
Also called sinusitis, a sinus infection causes mucus to build up in your nose, making it difficult to breathe. You might get a headache or experience throbbing pain in your face.
A sinus infection isn’t the same as a common cold, though the symptoms are often similar. Sometimes a bacterial infection will develop following a cold, leading to a sinus infection. In other cases, a virus may cause a sinus infection.
You may be able to treat a sinus infection at home, but you need medical care if your symptoms persist.
You may experience one or more of these symptoms with a sinus infection:
You might also experience pressure in your ear or feel extremely tired.
Asthma and allergies can increase your risk for chronic sinus infections. For example, an allergic reaction to dust mites, mold, or pet dander can cause inflammation and swelling in your nose and sinus as your body attempts to flush out the allergens.
Your provider at West Sacramento Urgent Care assesses your symptoms. They may take a mucus culture at the lab that’s conveniently available onsite.
Your provider typically recommends over-the-counter or prescription medication to alleviate your symptoms, such as:
If your symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days and include colored nasal discharge, your provider may prescribe a course of antibiotics. You take medicine for 3-28 days, depending on the type of antibiotic.
If you’ve struggled to treat a clogged, stuffy nose and headache at home, it’s time to get the care you need from West Sacramento Urgent Care. Call or book a consultation online today.