Should I Go To An Ent For A Sinus Infection
For a sinus infection, you dont need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist initially unless your symptoms do not go away with regular treatment from a general practitioner. If your symptoms do not go away, your general practitioner can send a referral for you to see an ENT specialist. In general, you should consider seeing an ENT specialist if you feel that you are relying too heavily on antibiotics without apparent success, if surgery has been recommended, or if you would like a second opinion about the need for surgery. If you are dealing with a sinus infection, we recommend that you come and see one of our board-certified physicians at Oak Park Urgent Care! They can evaluate your symptoms, provide treatment, and determine if seeing an ENT specialist is necessary. Other signs that likely warrant the expertise of an ENT specialist include the following:
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Injury to or nerve problems with your ear, nose, or throat
How To Treat Bacterial Infection With Tea Tree Oil
In 2006 Jan, a study published on the Clinical Microbiology Reviews released the evidence that tea tree oil had the antibacterial activity. In fact, there has been a lot of studies that proved the useful antibacterial property of this natural oil, despite the differences among their methods, the study results are still quite similar and consensus. Although this powerful essential oil is famous for its anti-viral than antibacterial functions, it is quite effective in fighting against a wide range of vaginal and skin infections triggered by bacteria. Tea tree oil, which could be applied onto our skin directly or be smeared inside your vaginal canal, helps destroy bacterial activities. It always needs to be adequately diluted to avoid the chances of skin burning. As this essential oil is very potent, it could be used for curing and controlling even a chronic infection but does not cause any harmful side effect at all.
To get more information about tea tree oil, you are supposed to visit How To Use Tea Tree Oil article
What Tests Diagnose The Cause Of Sinus Infections And Sinusitis
Sinus infection is most often diagnosed based on the history and examination of a doctor. Because plain X-ray studies of the sinuses may be misleading and procedures such as CT and MRI scans, which are much more sensitive in their ability to diagnose a sinus infection, are so expensive and not available in most doctors offices, most sinus infections are initially diagnosed and treated based on clinical findings on examination. These physical findings may include:
- redness and swelling of the nasal passages,
- purulent drainage from the nasal passages ,
- tenderness to percussion over the cheeks or forehead region of the sinuses, and
- swelling about the eyes and cheeks.
Occasionally, nasal secretions are examined for secreted cells that may help differentiate between infectious and allergic sinusitis. Infectious sinusitis may show specialized cells of infection while allergic sinusitis may show specialized white blood cells of allergy . Physicians prescribe antibiotics if the bacterial infection is suspected. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections many physicians then treat the symptoms.
In addition, both rigid and flexible endoscopy has been used to obtain diagnostic material from sinuses. These procedures are usually done by an otolaryngologist under topical and local anesthesia. Occasionally, there may be a need to sedate the patient. Some investigators suggest that endoscopy specimens are comparable to those obtained by needle puncture.
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When Do You Really Need Antibiotics For That Sinus Infection
- By Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributor
It was February, and clinic was teeming with respiratory infections of all kinds: mostly the common cold, but also bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. The patients were coming in usually thinking that they needed antibiotics for their sinus infection, or another respiratory infection.The first patient on my schedule was a healthcare provider with sinus infection written down as her main issue.* Shed had about two weeks of nasal and sinus congestion which she blamed on a viral upper respiratory infection . Her two young kids had been sick with colds all winter, so she wasnt surprised to have these symptoms, along with endless postnasal drip and a cough.
Her congestion had improved a bit at one point, and she thought that she was finally getting better. But then, the day before her appointment, she awoke with throbbing pain between her eyes, completely blocked nasal passages, and, more concerning to her, green pus oozing from her left tear duct. She had body aches, chills, and extreme fatigue.
When Should You Not Go To The Dentist
1 key to dental health. Once you understand the reasons for all those skipped appointments, you can start to overcome your dental anxiety.Why We Fear the Dentist
- Cost.
- Fear of needing dental work.
- Fear of instruments.
- Just too busy .
- Fear of getting lectured.
1.06.2019
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Do These Things Work For Kids
Sinus infections make everyone miserable, children as well as adults!
Most of the tips above also work for kids, but antihistamines arent recommended for young children.
Young children cant blow their noses well, so helping them thin and clear the mucus from their nose is beneficial.
A nasal aspirator or a product like the Nose Frida can be a lifesaver in helping young children breathe through their nose.
A warm bath can help clear the sinuses and take a childs mind off their illness.
Kids are often fascinated by the condensation that forms on surfaces in a steamy room. To occupy them while a hot shower runs in the bathroom, try tracing pictures with them on the mirror!
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Can I Beat A Bacterial Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
It is possible to beat a bacterial sinus infection without antibiotics! While antibiotics are necessary for certain bacterial infections, they can weaken your immune system if they are relied upon too heavily as they do not differentiate between good and bad bacteria. Approximately 70 percent of sinus infections clear up without the use of antibiotics. However, if you continue to have symptoms for longer than a week to 10 days, it is a good idea to consider antibiotics to clear up your sinus infection. If left untreated, severe sinus infections can become chronic. When you come to Oak Park Urgent Care, one of our excellent physicians can go over treatment options with you and whether they believe antibiotics are necessary or if an alternative treatment can work just as well. If you view antibiotics as a last resort, let your doctor know, and we will do our best to accommodate that.
If you are looking for an urgent care clinic with physicians specializing in ear, throat, and sinus infections, we welcome you to Oak Park Urgent Care! Walk-in for an on-the-spot appointment at 24661 Coolidge Hwy in Oak Park, Michigan. Our doors are open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Monday through Friday and from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends.
Additional Services We Offer
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Should You Go To The Dentist With A Sinus Infection
In some situations, an infected tooth leads to a sinus infection. If this is the case, you will need to see a dentist or oral surgeon. They can remove the infected tooth and prescribe any necessary medications to relieve your pain and sinus pressure.
How Do You Know If Youve Got A Tooth Abscess
Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include: an intense throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly and gets gradually worse. pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum. pain thats worse when lying down, which may disturb your sleep.
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When To See A Doctor For Sinus Issues
If your symptoms persist more than one to two weeks, you should consult with your physician.
Youll want to check with your doctor even sooner if you have a severe case of a sinus infection including a high fever, swelling around the eyes, and red and inflamed skin, among other symptoms, Del Signore says.
In this case, or if your symptoms do not clear up within two weeks, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic.
When Can Antibiotics Speed Up Recovery For Sinusitis
By | Submitted On May 23, 2009
Some of you might just find it a good thing to know that sinusitis can be caused by different infections such as of the viruses, allergens, fungi and bacteria. But it’s actually important to ascertain the cause of your sinus infection. This is because your recovery depends on how correctly you assess the cause of your infection, and how appropriately you treat it.
Though sinusitis causes may vary, for many, effects of any of these causes are generally the same, familiar feeling of nasal congestion, headache, runny nose, facial pressure and even fever. And when suffering starts, you will begin to think of asking for medicine.
An antibiotic is defined as strong medicine that stops or controls bacterial infection. Take good note: it works if the sinusitis is bacterial, not when it is viral nor when it is fungal.
How these drugs help in one’s recovery from sinusitis is being questioned in some occasions. Reasons of their ineffectiveness may be linked to the fact that sinusitis is usually caused by viruses, and people use antibiotics even with these cases. Another explanation is that other types of infection can be overcome without taking any kind of medicine, leading some to think that there is no need to resort to medications for all types of sinusitis.
The question of when you should use antibiotics, or these bacteria-killing substances, may be answered by some of these situations and guidelines:
-Upset stomach
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What Is A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis
Inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose is referred to as sinusitis. Sinusitis can be caused by infection , but also can be caused by allergy and chemical irritation of the sinuses. A sinus infection occurs when a virus, bacterium, or fungus grows within a sinus.
Sinusitis is one of the more common conditions that can afflict people throughout their lives. Sinusitis commonly occurs when environmental pollens irritate the nasal passages, such as with hay fever. Sinusitis can also result from irritants, such as chemicals or the use and/or abuse of over-the-counter nasal sprays, and illegal substances that may be snorted or inhaled through the nose. About 30 million adults have sinusitis. Colds differ from sinusitis and are only caused by viruses and last about seven to 10 days while sinusitis may have many different causes , and usually last longer with more pronounced and variable symptoms.
Schedule An Exam With A Local Ent
Are you tired of chronic, recurring sinus infections? Then its time to talk to a specialist about your treatment options. Our team provides the individualized care that you deserve, including one-on-one treatment with an ENT. We get to the root of the problem with an accurate diagnosis, then custom-design a treatment plan based on the unique needs of each patient.
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When Should I See A Doctor
These home remedies for sinus infections are great for acute infections in the upper respiratory system.
But if five days or so pass and youre not seeing any improvement, or if things are getting worse, its probably time to see an ENT doctor.
If you feel a lot more pressure behind your cheekbones and eyes or your nasal drainage has changed to yellow or green-tinged, its likely your sinus cavity has gotten infected from the blockage.
If you have symptoms like a fever, body aches, chills, chest congestion, or a cough, something more serious could be going on. Especially in this era of COVID-19, its a good idea to get checked out just to be safe.
If youve tried these home remedies without luck, contact ENT Associates of Lubbock to see what your next steps should be.
Things Which May Worsen A Sinus Infection
Lets take a look at what you can remove or eliminate from your diet and environment to both encourage healing and discourage chronic sinusitis or recurrent infections in the future.
Monitoring your symptoms is key to making sure you see treatment when and if it is needed. If you think you may have a sinus infection, consult your doctor or visit an urgent care center.
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Which Types Of Doctors Treat Sinusitis And Sinus Infections
- Many sinus infections can be treated by your primary care physician or an Internal Medicine doctor.
- However, it is not unusual to consult an ENT specialist,
- Infectious disease specialist,
- Allergist or Immunologist.
What Decongestants And Nasal Sprays Soothe Or Cure Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis
Taking decongestants and mucolytics orally may be helpful in assisting drainage of sinus infection.
The treatment of chronic forms of sinus infection requires longer courses of medications, such as Augmentin, and may require a sinus drainage procedure. This drainage typically requires a surgical operation to open the blocked sinus under general anesthesia. In general, antihistamines should be avoided unless it is felt that the sinusitis sinus infection is due to allergies, such as from pollens, dander, or other environmental causes.
It is likely that the use of a topical nasal steroid spray will help reduce swelling in the allergic individual without the drying that is caused by using antihistamines although both are occasionally used. Oral steroids may be prescribed to reduce acute inflammation and to help with chronic inflammation in cases with or without polyps and in allergic fungal sinusitis.
In many people, allergic sinusitis develops first, and later, bacterial infection occurs. For these individuals, early treatment of allergic sinusitis may prevent the development of secondary bacterial sinusitis.
In rare instances or in natural disasters, fungal infections may develop in debilitated people. Death rates of 50%-85% have been reported for patients with these sinus infections. Treatment relies on early diagnosis followed by immediate surgical debridement, antifungal drugs, , and stabilizing any underlying health problem such as diabetes.
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Home Remedies To Treat Sinus Infections Without Prescription Antibiotics
Sinus infections are otherwise known as that annoying sickness that plagues your life for days at a time. But theres a solution, well there has always been a solution. However, there are home remedies that can rid your body of the garbage that is tormenting your sinuses.
There are a number of common symptoms for sinus infections including facial tenderness, pain, pressure, headaches, nasal stiffness, discolored nasal discharge, sore throat, cough, and fever. If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms you may be suffering from a sinus infection.
Here are 4 of the best sinus infection natural treatments. Dont wait around in doctors offices all day waiting to hear what you already know.
Treat your sinuses with this antibiotic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory spice. You may have used this for cooking and what not but you can also use it to clear your sinus infection. Turmeric is very good for congestion because it has an active compound called curcumin that can help heal swelling in your sinus cavity, as well as clear your airways.
Mix turmeric powder in a glass of warm water and gargle it a few times a day for a few days. Or you can try and mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk and a little honey, drink this daily for about a week.
Use any of these sinus infection natural treatments to get rid of infections that have been holding you back.
What You Can Do To Soothe A Cold Or Ear Infection:
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and head pressure.
- Try a cool-mist humidifier or shower steam to loosen congestion.
- Try over-the-counter saline drops to clear the nose.
- Consider sinus rinses or devices to remove mucus from young childrens noses.
- For children older than age 1, honey in warm water can soothe a cough.
- For older children, an extra pillow under their head can help them sleep better.
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Saline Spray And Sinus Rinses
Using a saline solution, rinse your nose and sinuses with a neti pot or other irrigation system.
You can buy saline solution over the counter or make your own at home with distilled water and saline packets. Saline spray also comes in small bottles that you can spray directly into your nose.
Sinus rinses like these work by flushing mucus out of the nose and sinuses to keep things flowing freely.
Saline also has a natural decongesting effect, meaning it shrinks your swollen nasal tissues and makes it easier for you to breathe through your nose!
Yoga Can Help Drain Mucus From Sinus Passageways
If you are in the midst of a sinus infection, a supported yoga pose where your head is elevated will help you feel better without putting too much pressure on your sinuses, says Leslie Kazadi, a certified yoga therapist who teaches around Los Angeles and online at YogisAnonymous.com.
One pose Kazadi suggests is Supported Reclined Cobblers Pose.
How to Try Supported Reclined Cobblers Yoga Pose
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