I started noticing something about a year ago. I felt a dull, constant pain in my forehead, like an invisible pressure was pushing down on my face. I tried to ignore it but it kept coming back. I thought it was just stress, but it kept getting worse. One day I finally decided to take the plunge and visit a doctor.
The verdict? Sinusitis.
I was shell-shocked. Sinusitis is a chronic condition that can last months, maybe even a year – or longer. The simple explanation is that my sinuses were inflamed, swollen and blocked, preventing the mucus from draining properly. This was causing the constant aching, pressure and even headaches.
The discomfort can range from a minor nuisance to severe pain, depending on the severity of the condition. For me, the pain was relentless and the pressure in my head was almost unbearable. And if that weren’t enough, I was constantly congested, with a stuffy nose and headaches. It felt like I couldn’t breathe properly.
The fatigue and exhaustion accompanying the sinusitis made it even worse. I was completely drained after just a few hours of activity and I couldn’t concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes. Combined with the pain and the congestion, I felt like I had no energy to do anything.
The only thing that brought me some relief was going to the doctor and getting properly diagnosed. After that, I started seeing a specialist, who advised me to take it easy and prescribed antibiotics and other medications to alleviate the symptoms and help clear the infection.
Today, I’m still dealing with the sinusitis but I’ve gotten used to it. I know how to manage it and I’m able to keep it under control. I still get the occasional flare-up, but I know how to handle it now. I’ve learned to recognize the early signs so that I can take action before the symptoms get too severe.
Sinusitis can be a difficult and painful condition to live with – but it doesn’t have to be. With the right diagnosis and management, you can learn to control it and live your life normally even with the condition.