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Every year, millions of people experience nasal congestion, sneezing, and facial pressure, and most of them relate these symptoms to a common cold or seasonal allergies. However, research indicates that almost half of individuals who self-diagnose allergies may actually be dealing with chronic sinusitis, leading to longer periods of discomfort and ineffective treatments.

It is important to understand the difference between a cold, allergies and sinusitis for finding quick relief. These conditions have similar symptoms but different causes and treatments. If these conditions are misdiagnosed, you may have to deal with unnecessary treatment and further complications.

Ayurveda provides holistic solutions to these health problems besides standard solutions. Practices such as nasal irrigation (Jala Neti), herbal medications (turmeric, tulsi) and lifestyle adjustments can help balance the body's energy systems and reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.

What Are The Common Symptoms of A Cold?

The common cold (what we generally call a 'cold') has a number of symptoms that can make you feel pretty miserable. This is what you should look for:

• Nasal Congestion: In cold, you generally have to deal with a stuffy nose which can make breathing hard. It can make you a mouth breather till the congestion clears up.
• Sore Throat: It begins as a scratchy feeling and makes swallowing uncomfortable. You might feel your throat is raw and inflamed.
• Runny Nose: Along with congestion, your nose may start dripping. You will most likely reach for tissues more frequently than before.
• Coughing: A cold often comes with a severe cough which worsens at nighttime and can keep you from sleeping soundly.
• Sneezing: This is your body's method of clearing viral particles from your nose and throat.
• Low Grade Fever: A slight fever can generally come with a cold but it’s not as high as you might experience with the flu.
• Body Aches & Mild Fatigue: You might feel weak or have mild body aches as you feel after doing some light exercise.

How Do I Know If It’s Allergies and Not a Cold?

You must have thought if these sneezes and sniffles are due to a cold or something else? If you notice that your symptoms persist or appear at specific times of the year, then the actual culprit might be allergies. This is how you can tell that it is actually allergies and not a cold:

1. Itchy Eyes: Itchy and watery eyes are the most common sign of allergens. If your eyes appear red and you feel like you have an itch which does not disappear with rubbing, this might be due to allergies.
2. Sneezing Fits: Sneezing is common with colds, but if you keep sneezing continuously or repeatedly, especially in a particular environment or season, it could be an allergic reaction.
3. Clear, Watery Runny Nose: Unlike the thick, discoloured mucus that comes with a cold, allergy symptoms usually involve a watery nasal discharge.
4. Consistency of Symptoms: Allergy symptoms last only as long as you are subjected to the particular allergen. For instance, if you only have symptoms in springtime when the pollen count is high or in specific circumstances like when there is too much dust in an area, these could be signs of allergies.
5. No Fever: Allergies don't usually cause a fever. If you have a fever, it is most likely a cold or some other illness.

Pro Tip

If you are still uncertain, try keeping a symptom diary. Note when your symptoms occur, how long they last, and what you were doing at that time. This helps you determine patterns and potential triggers, like pet dander, pollen, and debris.

What Signs Indicate I Might Have Sinusitis?

Are you feeling pressure around your nose, forehead or eyes? Do not mistake these signs for a general cold as they might suggest sinusitis. Basically, it is an inflammation of the sinuses which gives rise to such symptoms. This is how you can determine whether you have sinusitis:

Facial Pain & Pressure: When you have sinusitis, you can experience pressure and pain around the face, particularly near your eyes, forehead and cheeks. This pain could get worse if you bend forward or when you wake up every morning.
Coloured Mucus: Unlike the clear, watery discharge related to allergies, sinusitis generally produces thick, yellow mucus. If you see yellow or green mucus when clearing your nose, this is likely an infection in your sinuses.
Worsening Symptoms When Bending Forward: If bending down to tie your shoes or picking anything up from the floor makes you feel like your head is about to explode, you might have sinusitis. It is a sign of pressure shifting in your sinuses whenever you bend.
Persistent Symptoms: A cold might disappear in a week to ten days, but sinusitis can linger. If nasal congestion and other signs don't disappear after a week, you might have sinusitis.

How Can Sinusitis Symptoms, Colds & Allergies Overlap?

Now that we have seen the symptoms of cold, allergies and sinusitis, it is important to understand that their signs can easily overlap, making it hard to figure out what is really bothering you. Let us see how these symptoms can confuse even the best of us.

Nasal Congestion: Be it allergies, a cold or sinusitis, you are most likely to experience a blocked nose. This occurs because your nasal tissues and blood vessels become inflamed and swollen by whatever is causing them irritation. This could be viruses, allergens, or other factors.
Coughing: Coughing doesn’t mean you compulsorily have a cold. Even though we generally associate it with a cold or flu, coughing can also be a reaction to the mucus dripping down your throat (which happens in both allergies and sinusitis).
Fatigue & Headaches: In all the three conditions that we have seen, feeling exhausted or a throbbing headache is common. When your body is trying to fight an infection or if it’s reacting to allergens, it can drain your energy and trigger headaches.
Sore Throat: A scratchy throat generally comes with a cold due to a viral infection, but it is important to note that the postnasal drip from allergies and sinusitis can also irritate your throat.

Differences Between Colds, Sinusitis, and Allergies

Let us now try to understand the basic differences between colds, sinusitis, and allergies based on these factors:

Conclusion

When you have a clear understanding of what health concern you are dealing with, you can choose the right line of treatment and feel better in no time. With this knowledge, you can fight back using the appropriate tools, find quick relief, and perhaps even prevent them before they start. Reach out to us by calling on 0129-4264323 for any health-related questions you may have.