First—what is “sinusitis”? Well, simply put, it’s any sort of health condition that specifically concerns sinus health. WebMD defines it as an “inflammation of the tissues” associated with the sinuses. A lot of things can cause such inflammation. Sometimes what’s giving you the nasal blues doesn’t require medical assistance.

Sometimes, if you don’t get some sort of treatment from a professional, the issue you’re contending with will never go away. In fact, it can compound into an acute condition that affects you the rest of your life.

So what do you do, and how do you tell? In this writing we’ll cover a few pieces of advice you might want to consider if you have sinusitis, or think you might have it.

How Long Have You Been Sick?

Sinusitis will be more likely the longer you’ve had a cold. In fact, it can be an additional malady compounded by some other illness. You might catch a common cold that, without proper treatment, develops into pneumonia. The sneezing, coughing, and nose-blowing which follow could damage sinuses enough to inflame them, resulting in sinusitis.

The longer you’re sick, the higher the likelihood something you do will inflame your sinuses. So in general, if you’ve had a cold for more than two weeks, you might want to be examined to see if you’re exhibiting conditions which may reveal sinusitis. If you are, the practitioner you visit can help you determine what your best course of action is.

What Color Is Your Mucous?

Mucous coloration may reveal sinusitis, but it doesn’t always. If you’ve got black mucous, that can be a sign of a fungal infection or a drug issue. If your mucous is brown or red, there’s likely some sort of injury. Sinusitis can result in this, but generally mucous will remain clear. For more information on mucous coloration, check out this handy chart.

When It’s Time To See A Medical Practitioner

If you’ve been sick a few weeks, and your mucous looks different than usual, and you’re in exceptional pain, it may be time to see a sinus doctor near Dallas, TX. Now that said, you don’t have to wait until you’re on the door of demise. You might just acquire a sinus specialist and keep them in your back pocket for when sickness comes.

Also, it can be worthwhile to get regular checkups. When you’re periodically checking in with a specialist, it helps you determine where you’re at when you’re healthy, what it’s like when you’ve just got a mild cold, and when you need to take serious stock of your health.

Generally, you’re not going to have sinusitis. Most head colds are very mild and will pass within a week. Sometimes they’ll drag on for a few weeks; especially if you’re older, or you’re one who engages in vices of varying kinds. Most vice results in health issues at some point, so keep that in mind.

Maintaining Sinus Health, And Overcoming Sinusitis

To remain healthy regardless of your situation, there are a few things you can do. Give your body the fuel it needs by eating healthy. Exercise regularly so your body is in tip-top shape.

Keep your mind healthy by thinking about good things, and avoiding too much time on technological devices. Keep your spirit healthy by feeding it with good things—artistic things, beautiful things; things you enjoy.

Vitamin supplementation can help as well. Beyond that, keep track of how long you’ve been ill, have sinus experts available when you need them, and monitor the color of your mucous. Sinusitis isn’t usually serious, and odds are, provided you get enough rest and fluids, it is possible your sinusitis could clear up on its own. That said, often it requires specific measures.