You have the headaches. The congestion. The constant pressure. When you think you have a sinus infection, how are sinus infections diagnosed?
After taking your medical history and asking you about current symptoms, sinus doctors rely on a few common checks to see if sinus infections are the cause of your troubles.
How Are Sinus Infections Diagnosed?
- A general physical exam, to rule out other underlying conditions
- Sinus culture
- Nasal endoscopy
- General bloodwork
- X-rays
- CT scan
Not all of those tests are used for every patient, keep in mind.
Beyond these types of tests, your doctor might try a few other methods, like checking for dental pain. (If your upper teeth are hurting, it can indicate inflamed sinuses.) Or your doctor might prescribe allergy testing to make sure that your symptoms aren’t actually a reaction to some type of irritant.
If sinusitis is to blame, common treatments can include:
- Antibiotics, if the sinus infection is caused by bacteria
- Decongestants, whether OTC or prescription
- Corticosteroids, to reduce nasal inflammation
- Pain relievers
- Proper rest
- Hydration
- Nasal saline rinses
- And sometimes treatment for acid reflux
Our NYC sinus center offers sinus doctors and surgeons to address a wide variety of conditions. If you think sinus trouble might be weighing you down, give us a call today.