Allergies vs Sinus Infections: What’s the Difference?

Colds, allergies, and sinus problems can cause similar symptoms, so it’s hard to properly self-diagnose and treat your condition. Seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis is a simple solution.

By Dr. David Bortniker
In recent years, doctors have become increasingly frustrated with patients self-diagnosing everything from a simple headache to congestive heart failure.  Since medical information is so easily accessible online now, the temptation to self-diagnose is very strong, which can pose serious health threats, such as improper treatment.
One very common and often misleading self-diagnosis is distinguishing whether we have allergies or a sinus infection (sinusitis).  In a recent survey of over 600 asthma and allergy patients, researchers from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that about half of the patients self-diagnosed their symptoms as allergies, when they were actually infected with sinusitis.
As you can see below, colds, allergies, and sinus problems can cause similar symptoms, so it’s hard to properly self-diagnose and self-treat your condition.  Seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis is a simple solution to finding the right treatment.

The Common Cold

• Description: A viral infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory system
• Symptoms: Congestion, difficulty breathing, runny nose, fatigue
• Onset: Within 1-3 days of exposure to the virus
• Duration: 5-7 days

Allergies

• Description: Your body is attacking allergens, therefore producing histamine, which causes symptoms to appear and triggers mild to severe reactions
• Symptoms: Congestion, difficulty breathing, watery or itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose, throat and eyes, wheezing, runny nose
• Onset: Immediately after exposure to allergen, or at the same time each year if seasonal
• Duration: As long as you’re exposed to the allergen, or dependent upon treatment

Sinusitis

• Description: Infection in the sinus cavities because of inflammation caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies or environmental factors
• Symptoms: Congestion, headache, pressure in the face, facial tenderness, loss of taste or smell, chronic fatigue, fever, cough, nasal drip
• Onset: May develop after a cold or can be triggered by allergies
• Duration: A few weeks to years, depending on proper treatment

So, when should you see a doctor?  If your symptoms worsen after 7 days or if you’re suffering from a fever, you should schedule an appointment with your physician.  People suffering from chronic sinus infections tend to misdiagnose their condition as allergies or effects of the common cold, missing out on advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive sinus surgery, which can help to relieve discomfort long-term.  While there are at-home therapies to help relieve pressure and pain, your healthcare professional will be able to properly diagnose and treat your individual condition. 
David Bortniker, M.D., is an ear, nose and throat specialist who performs minimally-invasive sinus surgery at Somerset Medical Center.

Source : Somerset Medical Centre's Blog
Credit :http://bridgewater.patch.com/groups/somerset-medical-centers-blog/p/bp--allergies-vs-sinus-infections-whats-the-difference

Sinuses

Probably, you still remember one of my students, Nathanael. He has a lot of questions in his head. He always addresses me a question as I enter the classroom in the morning. Frankly to say, sometimes I'm so much clueless about the answer (grin). So, I encourage him to search the answer on internet and share to others via blog. Great! He does it indeed (smile).

Well..
Last Tuesday, he came to me and told me that he found information about sinusitis on a website. He was interested in it because he was once diagnosed from sinusitis and saved it in his notebook. He showed it to me and wished it to be posted in our blog.

This is the information he really wants to share with us.

The sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities in the skull. The largest sinus cavities are around an inch across; others are much smaller. The sinus cavities include:

• The maxillary sinuses (the largest), in the cheekbones.
• The frontal sinuses, in the low-center of the forehead.
• The ethmoid sinuses, between the eyes, at the nasal bridge.
• The sphenoid sinuses, in bones behind the nasal cavity.

The sinuses are lined with soft, pink tissue called mucosa. Normally, the sinuses are empty except for a thin layer of mucus.

The inside of the nose has ridges called turbinates. Normally these structures help humidify and filter air. The nose is divided in the center by a thin wall, called the septum. Most of the sinuses drain into the nose through a small channel or drainage pathway called the middle meatus.

The purpose of the sinuses is unclear. One theory is that sinuses help humidify the air we breathe in; another is that they enhance our voices.

Sinus Conditions

• Acute sinusitis (sinus infection): Viruses or bacteria infect the sinus cavity, causing inflammation. Increased mucus production, nasal congestion, discomfort in the cheeks, forehead or around the eyes and headaches are common symptoms.

• Chronic sinusitis (or chronic rhinosinusitis): More than just a series of infections, chronic sinusitis is a persistent process of inflammation of the sinuses.

• Allergic rhinitis: Allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander cause the defenses in the nose and sinuses to overreact. Mucus, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itching result.

• Deviated septum: If the septum that divides the nose deviates too far too one side, airflow can be obstructed.

• Turbinate hypertophy: The ridges on the nasal septum are enlarged, potentially obstructing airflow.

• Nasal polyps: Small growths called polyps sometimes grow in the nasal cavity, in response to inflammation. Asthma, chronic sinus infections, and allergic rhinitis can lead to nasal polyps.

Credit : http://www.webmd.com/allergies/picture-of-the-sinuses