It’s fairly common to experience a stuffy nose at some point. In fact, these problems can become a regular occurrence for some. The pain, swelling, and irritation associated with sinus congestion are enough to make anyone feel miserable. This is why it can be helpful to become familiar with some of the common sinus congestion causes.
Knowing more about the potential causes that can trigger this immune response may help sufferers avoid or mitigate them. Freedom Urgent Care specializes in providing fast, affordable care for non-emergency medical conditions such as sinus congestion, sore throat, fever, and more. Learn about some of the most common sinus congestion causes as well as signs and symptoms typically associated with this condition.
What Are Some of the Symptoms Associated With Sinus Congestion?
Even though this condition affects the nasal cavity, symptoms are not limited to the nose only. Have you ever had a stuffy or runny nose? Have you also experienced a headache in the forehead and pressure behind your eyes? All of these issues can be associated with sinus congestion.
Mucus buildup and swollen nasal tissues can inflame the sinuses. As the congestion and irritation increase, the effects are also likely to increase and spread. For example, the sinuses on the sides of the nose (maxillary sinuses) may become swollen and painful to the touch. Similarly, the sinuses nearest the forehead (frontal sinuses) may grow agitated due to increased pressure. The affected individual may also develop post-nasal drip and a sore throat as well.
While it isn’t uncommon to experience these symptoms—especially in conjunction with a minor illness—if they last longer than one-and-a-half to two weeks it could be indicative of a more serious health issue. It may then be best to get the opinion of a trained medical professional who can look for potential sinus congestion causes and determine the source of the issue.
Common Sinus Congestion Causes
One of the difficult parts of determining the cause of sinus congestion is narrowing the many potential causes down. Here are eight common causes of sinus congestion:
- Nasal and sinus infection
- Environmental irritants
- Dry air
- Flu infection
- Sleep apnea
- Cold infection
- Allergies (such as hay fever)
- Stress
These are some of the more common causes of sinus congestion. But other, less common causes can include nasal polyps, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This is why it can be beneficial to have the source of the sinus congestion diagnosed by a medical professional.
Fast Non-Emergency Care That’s Close to Home
If you are experiencing a non-emergency health condition such as sinus congestion, you deserve relief. Freedom Urgent Care provides quick and affordable non-emergency care to help you feel like yourself again. Simply check-in to one of our locations in Harker Heights or Killeen to get started. Get the care you need without the inflated costs and wait times of an ER visit when you choose Freedom Urgent Care!