Symptoms of sinusitis can often be mistaken for a lingering cold (Image: Getty)
Health experts have warned of a surge in cases of sinusitis, a condition involving swelling of the sinuses usually triggered by an infection. Superdrug pharmacy superintendent Niamh McMillan said the condition is often mistaken for a lingering cold but can leave people struggling with symptoms that extend far beyond a stuffy nose.
She added: “Sinusitis tends to worsen in the colder months due to dry air, infections, and inflammation caused by the weather.” Sinusitis usually clears up on its own within a month, but medicines can help if symptoms persist. Symptoms that are similar to a cold include a blocked or runny nose, a high temperature and headache. Ms McMillan highlighted six lesser-known symptoms people should be aware of.
Pharmacists can offer advice on seven common health conditions including sinusitis (Image: Getty)
1. Persistent facial pain or pressure
Pain or pressure around the face, particularly near the eyes, cheeks and forehead, is a major symptom of sinusitis, Ms McMillan explained.
She added: “Many people don’t realise that this discomfort can also extend to the upper teeth or ears, and this can cause confusion about the root cause of their pain.”
2. Bad breath
Sinusistis can cause mucus to drain down the throat, proving food for odour-causing bacteria. Ms McMillan said: “Chronic sinusitis can lead to unpleasant breath that doesn’t improve with oral hygiene.”
3. Reduced or altered sense of smell and taste
Mucus can also block nasal passages, preventing odour molecules from reaching smell receptors. This in turn dulls taste because smell is crucial for flavour perception.
Ms McMillan added: “Sinus infections can impact your ability to smell or taste, often making foods less enjoyable.
“Many people mistake this for a lingering cold symptom, but it can indicate inflammation or blockage in the nasal passages caused by sinusitis.”
4. Fatigue and brain fog
Sinusitis does not just affect the nose, it can also leave you feeling drained.
Ms McMillan explained: “Fatigue and difficulty concentrating are common when the body is battling a persistent infection, making it harder to carry out daily tasks.”
5. A ‘wet’ cough that won’t quit
Ms McMillan said: “While dry coughs are often associated with viral infections, sinusitis can cause a wet or mucus-filled cough, especially at night.
6. Mild hearing loss
Inflammation caused by sinusitis can also block the Eustachian tubes, which connect your ears to your throat. This can lead to “a feeling of fullness in the ears or even temporary hearing loss,” Ms McMillan said.
If symptoms last for more than 10 days of worsen after initially improving, it may be time to seek treatment.
Pharmacists at high street stores including Superdrug are trained to provide expert advice under the Pharmacy First scheme, and can offer guidance on the best medications for sinusitis.
The seven common health conditions that pharmacists are able to help with are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and minor urinary tract infections in women.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
