It is well known that nasal airway problems are a the primary cause of an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), so recognizing the signs of sinusitis is important.
Sinusitis in Texas (and the rest of the United States) is a common problem. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 29 million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis.
Remarkably, that’s nearly 13 percent of the entire population.
We hear you asking, “What is sinusitis?”
Quite simply, sinusitis is another name for a sinus infection.
Sinus infections are episodes when the nasal passages become swollen and inflamed. Some episodes of sinusitis are brief while chronic sinusitis lasts from 4 to 12 weeks or longer and often occurs more than 4 times in a single year.
There are a variety of causes of sinusitis including viruses, bacterial infections, nasal polyps, respiratory tract infections and allergies. Fortunately, there are common signs and symptoms of sinusitis that may indicate you have the condition and should seek treatment from an ENT and Allergist.
Sinusitis Symptoms:
It’s easy to confuse a common cold with sinusitis. Both can cause a runny and congested nose. However, with a sinus infection or sinusitis, it’s likely that two of the following symptoms are present.
1. Thick Yellow or Green Discharge
- You’re familiar with the normal consistency and color of mucus. It’s generally light colored and fairly thin, slippery and viscous. When you have a sinus infection, the discharge from your nose becomes thicker and a darker yellow or green color is common.
2. Difficulty Breathing Through Your Nose
- Sinusitis can block the ability to breathe through your nose. If you’ve suddenly become a mouth breather and you can’t clear your nose well enough to breathe normally, you may have a sinus infection.
3. Headache
- A deep, dull, ongoing headache is one of the common signs of a sinusitis. You’ll feel the ache in your cheekbones, forehead and the bridge of your nose. One of the fastest ways to make a sinus headache worse is to move your head quickly from side to side. Ouch!
4. Tenderness and Swelling around Your Eyes, Nose, Cheeks and Forehead
- A sinus infection often leaves your head feeling like a giant soccer ball that has been kicked around. It feels tender. It feels heavy. Lightly touching your cheeks, nose and forehead causes pain. You need relief and you need it soon.
5. Reduced Sense of Taste and Smell
- When your nose is stuffed, it’s difficult to taste and smell the foods you normally love. If you’re wondering if you’re having difficulty tasting and smelling food, order your favorite pizza or cook a favorite dish, preferably one with some spice and aroma.
If you can barely smell and taste the food, you may have a sinus infection.Other less common symptoms include ear pain, nausea, bad breath, cough and sore throat.If you recognize these sinusitis symptoms—and symptoms consistently last longer than 7 days and occur on a fairly regular basis—it’s time to contact an Allergist and an ENT ( Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist).
Dr. Honor Franklin at Honor Franklin Myofunctional & Speech Clinic has an ENT and Allergist on her team that helps her patients be able to achieve a patent nasal airway on a consistent basis and prevent sinusitis.
Since 1977, Dr. Honor Franklin has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) in children, adolescents and adults which include an incorrect oral rest posture of the tongue and lips, an incorrect swallowing pattern (known as “tongue thrust” or “tongue thrust swallowing”), prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits and articulation (speech) disorders.She holds the distinction of being a Board Certified Orofacial Myologist/Myofunctional Therapist by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM); an honor held by a small percentage of professionals practicing orofacial myofunctional therapy. In fact, she in the ONLY Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist in Dallas and is only one of three in the state of Texas! In addition, as a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist, she maintains Licensure by the State of Texas and a Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Honor Franklin at Honor Franklin Myofunctional & Speech Clinic 972-233-1312
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