Sometimes it can be very difficult to differentiate a common cold vs sinusitis. A physician will be able to diagnose sinusitis only by taking a complete history of the signs and symptoms which manifested. Examining your sinuses and upper respiratory system thoroughly is another way to assess if the person is really suffering from sinus problems. The simplest and the most efficient way to diagnose an inflammation of the sinus is by applying pressure on the cheekbone sinuses and on the forehead.

Another way of examining your sinuses is by introduction of light into the sinuses to assess if there is an inflammation. If the sinus is congested, the light will not be able to pass through. For cases of chronic sinusitis, there is another method available to diagnose the problem. There are medical exams available such as Computed Topography Scan or more known as CT-scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and X-ray to visualize the condition of the sinuses. If the medical exam is still not successful in assessing the real condition of the sinuses, then you may ask for a medical advice from an otorhinolaringologist, a specialist on ear, nose, and throat. He will perform a nasal endoscopy called rhynoscopy to visualize the sinuses and assess its anatomy and function.

Proper diagnosis is very important so that medical professionals will be able to plan the appropriate treatment for the sinus problem. Naturally, the treatment for sinusitis will be based on the manifestation of the signs and symptoms. There are different symptoms of sinusitis. Dizziness is often associated to a sinus infection. Sinusitis also causes nasal congestion, post nasal drip, ear problems, facial pain, bad breath or halitosis, or sometimes may even lead to meningitis. In some cases, patients who are suffering form sinusitis may also develop a fever. To address the problem of nasal congestion, nasal sprays, and decongestants can be used. For facial pains and fever, acetaminophen can help alleviate the pain and fever, bad breath or halitosis can be corrected through a proper oral hygiene. However, these conventional medications may have unwanted side effects.

There are a lot of home medications available that has been proven effective to alleviate symptoms of sinus infection. These alternative remedies have been used by our ancestors for ages. And it has been passed on from generation to generation. Steam inhalation, herbal concoctions, and therapeutic massages of the paranasal sinuses are just few of the many available herbal remedies to cure sinus infections. However all of these practices can offer temporary relief only in aiding a person suffering from a sinus infection breath easily. It is still best to consult a registered medical professional before applying any treatment. Have your self checked first by a physician. You may undergo series of test first before having a concrete diagnosis. But above all else, prevention will always be better than cure. Therefore, it will still be best to avoid the causative factors before symptoms of sinus infection will begin to cause you too much trouble.