It can be difficult to determine whether you have a case of sinusitis or a case of the common cold. Many people mixed up these conditions all of the time. However the cold vs. sinusitis are two completely different ailments caused by two completely different sources. As such, the treatment of both will be different as well.
Sinusitis, which is also referred to as having the allergies has many of the same symptoms as the common cold. Both ailments can cause a runny nose. Both ailments can cause a case of constant coughing as well as sneezing. Both ailments can cause aches and pains in the body. In addition, both ailments can create tiredness and fatigue in the body.
So if both conditions have the same symptoms how can you tell the difference? The first difference comes in how the conditions develop. A common cold develops as a result of a virus that can be passed on by someone who already has it. The body?s immune system attacks the virus, which causes many of the symptoms we associate with a cold.
Sinusitis develops differently from a common cold. Sinusitis develops as a result of an outside influence inflaming the nasal cavity. This outside influence can be a number of different factors. It can be a result of too much exposure to pollen, a result of pet mites or even the accumulation of too much dust. It can also come from bacteria.
One way that you can tell the difference between the two illnesses is to look at how long you have the symptoms. If the symptoms last for only a week or so, it is likely that you have a cold. There is no cure for the common cold. The body?s immune system will fight off and kill the virus on its own. If the symptoms last for more than a week, then it?s possible that you have a case of sinusitis.
Another indicator that you can use to see which one you have is to look at the eyes. A cold usually has no major reaction to the eyes. Sinusitis has a much larger reaction to the eyes. When you have sinusitis, the eyes begin to swell up and become very puffy. Your eyes will also get very watery and itchy. You may also experience some discomfort in the face, particularly underneath your eyes. These symptoms will usually get worse if you go somewhere where the trigger of the allergy is in abundance, such as a place where there is a lot of pollen or a dusty area.
It is important that you identify the difference between the two ailments. A common cold has no cure. Therefore the best approach is to treat the symptoms and give your body the rest it needs to fight against the viruses causing it. It will generally go away by itself. Sinusitis will continue to afflict you for as long as you are exposed to whatever is causing the allergic reaction. In addition, left untreated it can cause additional ailments and afflictions. Therefore make sure you understand the differences between the two conditions and treat them both accordingly.