Sinus Center - Idaho: Sinusitis, Cold, or Allergies?

Further comparison

Sinusitis	Colds	Allergies
Sinusitis Causes Sinusitis occurs when mucus & bacteria or viruses are trapped in the sinuses. This may be a result of a cold or other respiratory infection, allergy, anatomical obstruction, or from environmental irritants (e.g. tobacco smoke, dust).	Colds Causes Colds are caused by viruses.	Allergy Causes Allergies are a result of the body's defense against a perceived threat from a foreign substance, such as food, drug or insect bite.
Sinusitis Symptoms Facial pain or pressure, dental pain, nasal congestion and discharge, coughing, headache, fever, impaired sense of smell.	Colds Symptoms Nasal congestion, weakness and fatigue, cough, headache, fever, aching muscles, nasal discharge, and watery eyes.	Allergy Symptoms May include rash, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, eye problems, breathing problems, coughing, sneezing, swelling of lips, eyes, face. May occur immediately after exposure; occasionally reaction may not occur for several days or weeks.
Sinusitis Prevention Maintain good health; keep air hydrated; drink plenty of fluids to keep mucus flowing freely. A warm facial pack or steamy shower may relieve congestion and ease discomfort.	Colds Prevention There is no vaccine that will prevent a cold. Avoid direct contact with a person who has a cold-- cold viruses are easily passed through infected secretions; uncovered coughing and sneezing may spread the virus through the air. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Maintain a good diet, drink plenty of fluids, get adequate rest, and do not share personal items like toothpaste, drinking cups, and eating utensils with other members of the household.	Allergy Prevention Avoid substance that causes reaction, such as animal dander, dust mites, or molds. If severe allergic reaction has been diagnosed or has been known to occur, an alert bracelet should be worn at all times.
Sinusitis Doctor Visit If you have many of the listed symptoms that are bothersome, severe, or persist, Sinus Center- Idaho can help. Click here to make an appointment in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Twin Falls or Fruitland. Left untreated, sinusitis can lead to rare, but serious complications.	Colds Doctor Visit Most healthy people do not need to see a doctor for a cold unless symptoms do not improve, or worsen. These include fever, cough, breathing problems, chest pain, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and/or dental pain.	Allergy Doctor Visit Severe symptoms require immediate and possibly emergency medical care. A doctor visit is appropriate to diagnose mild symptoms that cause you concern. Allergy Clinic - Idaho offers a free allergy test. Call 388-8900 for more information. *
Sinusitis Treatment If your infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic--be sure to complete the course of therapy. A steamy shower, warm pack to affected areas, saline nasal spray, decongestant nasal spray (no more than 3 to 5 days ), and a pain-reliever may ease discomfort. Use antihistamine preparations only if recommended by your medical professional, because they may dry your nasal and sinus passages.	Colds Treatment Antibiotics will not cure a cold, because they do not work against viruses. Treatment to relieve symptoms include rest, plenty of fluids, a pain reliever for headache and muscle ache, and nonprescription remedies for nasal congestion and cough. Avoid smoking, and use a humidifier.	Allergy Treatment Allergies with mild symptoms may be treated with decongestants or antihistamines. A course of desensitization, known as immunotherapy may be prescribed by a physician. Immunotherapy is now offered by Allergy Clinic - Idaho in sublingual drops (drops placed under the tongue) requiring fewer office visits and more flexibility. *

*Sinus Center-Idaho, PC, (John A. Boyajian, M.D.) is one of the owners of Allergy Clinic-Idaho. We value you as a patient and want to respect your freedom of choice of providers. Consistent with that principle, patients who are referred for allergy evaluations from Sinus Center-Idaho, PC are under no obligation to receive services by Allergy Clinic-Idaho, PC. Furthermore, patients whom are referred for sinus evaluations from Allergy Clinic-Idaho, PC are under no obligation to receive services from Sinus Center-Idaho, PC. Other provider options are available in your local yellow pages under Physicians & Surgeons (M.D. & D.O.).