Treatment For Chronic Sinusitis
Antibiotics: The usual method of treatment for bacterial sinusitis is through a prescription for antibiotics. The length of the antibiotics course depends partially on the type of medicine that is taken, and also it depends on how severe or lengthy the case of sinusitis has been. The normal experience for a patient is that the medicine is taken for 3-28 days.
In light of common issues connected with antibiotics, such as abuse and overuse, there has been an obvious decrease in the effectiveness of these medicines. If a patient has only been experiencing symptoms for a few days, it is likely antibiotics will not be prescribed. If the symptoms are persistent , or worsening, a patient should then acquire a prescription for antibiotics from their doctor.
The purpose of antibiotics is not to alleviate symptoms, but to attack the bacterium that causes the infection in the first place. Therefore, when the antibiotics are taken, the effects may not be felt for a few days until the bacteria have been fully attacked.
If a patient needs immediate pain or symptom relief, there are various over-the-counter medications that can help.
Nasal Decongestant Sprays: Nasal decongestant sprays are not designed to fix the overall issues pertaining to sinus infections, but as a symptom reliever, to reduce swelling in the nasal passages, helping the flow of bacteria and mucus to be facilitated and clear the sinuses.
Surgery for Chronic Sinusitis
How Is Chronic Sinusitis Diagnosed
Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms of a sinus infection have continued for more than 12 weeks. In some cases, your doctor may use an endoscope .
A CT scan or MRI could also be used to look for structural issues. Structural problems usually include a deviated nasal septum or polyps .
In very few cases, your provider might order a biopsy to see if the infection has spread. Biopsies involve taking tissue or bone samples to example under the microscope.
Sinusitis And Eye Pressure
Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is when bacteria or viruses get into your sinus cavities, causing your sinuses to swell. Other symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, mucus drainage, a cough, fever, fatigue, and ear pain. Sinusitis is often treated with antibiotics, but chronic sinusitis often needs additional treatment.
Read Also: 3 Day Z Pack For Sinus Infection
What Can Be Done For Lasting Relief
The obvious and most important piece of the puzzle is for the patient to identify where the mold exposure is occurring and to remove themselves from it. I always recommend consulting with an indoor environmental professional for testing and remediation advice, but we have also developed effective, natural environmental products at Micro Balance Health Products that can help. There is also an Environmental Treatment Protocol on this website that many people find helpful. Additionally, we have a downloadable Protocol Guide with product recommendations that many people find helpful.
Regular nasal rinsing and irrigation are also key to directly eliminate the mold from the nasal passages before it can reach the sinuses. I also created a homeopathic, oral spray called Sinus Defense that contains transfer factors that act like antibodies to remove the common molds, bacteria, viruses from the body. It has been found to lower the IgG antibodies to molds which cause the delayed reaction that damages the sinus mucosa causing the pits. I have patients who have been using it for years and find that they can tolerate and recover from quite significant mold exposures now when they wouldve been completely taken out and sick for weeks from smaller exposures in the past.
1. Kaliner MA, Osguthorpe JD, Fireman P, et al. Sinusitis: bench to bedside. Current findings, future directions. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 99:S82948.
Sinus Infection Complications Affecting The Brain
An even more rare, and more serious, complication of sinus infection would be the infection spreading to the brain. The brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier, whose function is to separate circulating blood from the brain and the fluid of the central nervous system. Its very difficult for sinus infection to be able to cross this border, despite the proximity of the sinuses to the brain.
The blood-brain barrier is semipermeable, however, and it is possible on rare occasions for an infection to get through from the sinuses to the brain. If a sinus infection spreads to the brain, it can be a life-threatening condition, leading to swelling of the brain, meningitis, or brain abscess.
Symptoms might include:
- Severe headache, and
- Swelling in the face.
Most of these symptoms would require an emergency visit to the doctor, even without an association with a sinus infection.
Also Check: Mucinex And Advil Cold And Sinus
Read Also: Best Sinus Spray For Post Nasal Drip
How Do I Stop My Sinuses From Draining Constantly
While some individuals are able to treat their sinus problems using home remedies, patients who have chronic sinusitis and chronic sinus drainage are more likely to get better results if they see a doctor.
If youre not sure whether or not you should see a doctor, check out our blog on when to see an ENT.
No matter the severity of your symptoms, the best way to get rid of your chronic sinus drainage issues is to treat the underlying cause. An ENT of South Florida can diagnose these issues and help you understand your sinusitis treatment options.
Can Balloon Sinuplasty Help Your Chronic Sinus Drainage Issues
From chronic sinusitis surgery to the Clarifix procedure, and from septoplasty to nasal polyp removal, there are a wide variety of treatments to treat the underlying cause of your chronic sinus drainage issues.
One treatment, however, has become increasingly popular in the ENT field. Balloon sinuplasty differs from most other types of chronic sinusitis procedures in that it is minimally invasive and can be performed in-office. The procedure involves the inflation of a balloon that has been endoscopically inserted into the sinus cavity, opening the sinus passageways and restoring proper drainage in less than 20 minutes.
Also unlike traditional sinusitis surgery, balloon sinuplasty aftercare is easy, with patients often return to work within 24 hours. The procedure has provided thousands of patients nation-wide with long-lasting results and sinus relief.
Read Also: Runny Nose Sinus Pressure Medicine
What Is Chronic Sinusitis
To meet the clinical definition of chronic rhinosinusitis , cases should meet the following criteria:
A diagnosis of CRS based on patient history
An abnormal endoscopic sinus exam and abnormal sinus CT scan
Symptoms that are present for at least 3 months and include 2 or more of the following:
facial pain or pressure,
facial congestion or fullness,
nasal obstruction or blockage,
nasal discharge/purulence/discoloration,
postnasal drainage, or hyposmia/anosmia .
Sinusitis must be present for at least 3 months and been treated with antibiotics for 46 weeks , with symptoms persisting or recurring after cessation of antibiotic treatment.
Sinus Infection And Blurry Vision
Sinus infections can cause more than just pain in the area of the eyes. In fact, sinus infections can cause problems even if you dont feel pain.
Sinus pressure can impact blood circulation to the eyes. Disruption in blood circulation to the eyes causes sudden, patchy blurred vision. A warm compress across the forehead can ease pressure and reduce the swelling. This restores proper circulation of blood to the eyes and the blurry vision is cleared.
Sudden blurry vision can be a symptom of a serious condition and your doctor should always be consulted. It is extremely unlikely but a sinus infection could actually spread into the eye socket, causing an infection that could cause blindness. Dont risk it. See your doctor.
Recommended Reading: Sinus Pressure Causing Tooth Pain
You May Like: What To Take For Sinus Pain
Early Treatment Can Reduce The Need For Medications
Around half of all sinus infections will resolve without antibiotics. In people with frequent infections it is important to treat the underlying problems, such as allergy, and to treat symptoms quickly to prevent the need for antibiotics.
Examples of treatments include:
- Steam inhalations use a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. This will help to thin the mucus and make it easier to drain
- Salt water irrigation of the nose using a commercial preparation will assist in nasal drainage
- Antibiotics should be prescribed if symptoms persist.
- Surgical removal of disease tissue, polyps and/or drainage of sinuses may be required for some people with chronic sinusitis, if medications do not control symptoms.
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
How Do I Know If I Need To See The Allergist Or Ent
ENTs are highly proficient surgeons who specialize in structural disorders of the ears, nose, and throat such as head and neck tumors, facial reconstruction and plastic surgery, chronic sinusitis, deviated septum, hearing impairment, and dizziness/balance problems. Board-certified Allergists optimize control of nasal and sinus problems though nonsurgical means. ENTs and Allergists commonly work together to treat conditions where allergies are causing problems in the ears, nose, sinuses and throat regions. ENTs often refer patients to Allergists when surgery is not indicated. Likewise, Allergists will refer patients to ENTs for surgical options when medications and allergen avoidance are not adequately controlling symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Does Keflex Treat Sinus Infection
How Long Do Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Last
Sinusitis or sinus infections usually clear up if treated early and appropriately. Aside from those who develop complications, the outlook for acute sinusitis is good. People may develop chronic sinusitis or have recurrent attacks of acute sinusitis if they have allergic or structural causes for their sinusitis.
Fighting Allergic Rhinitis: Where To Start
If over-the-counter allergy treatments do the trick for you, great! If not, you should see your doctor.
You might assume that you have allergies when you really have nonallergic rhinitis, which is triggered by irritants like cigarette smoke or fumes instead of allergens. Or your symptoms could stem from colds, sinus problems, asthma, thyroid problems, medication side effects, or other issues. If allergies arenât really your problem, those allergy drugs wonât do any good.
If your doctor does say you have allergic rhinitis, it’s a good idea to find the cause of your allergies. The only way to do that is to get allergy testing.
âSome people with allergic rhinitis spend a lot of time and money focusing on the wrong thing,â says Hugh H. Windom, MD, associate clinical professor of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida.
âThey assume that theyâre allergic to dust mites, so they spend thousands renovating their homes, pulling up carpets, and cleaning air ducts. But it turns out to be the oak tree outside the bedroom window.â
So get allergy testing before you do anything drastic. You donât want to pry a beloved kitty out of your tearful childâs arms, find it a new home, and then discover that you were never allergic to cats in the first place.
Show Sources
Recommended Reading: Advil Cold And Sinus Warnings
How Do You Know If It Is A Sinus Infection Or Allergies
Even if you know you have a sinus infection, an allergy test can help determine if allergies are contributing to the symptoms, which helps you make smart choices about changes in your environment that can decrease the odds of repeat infections. A Board-certified Allergist can clarify if allergies are contributing to your symptoms or if nonallergic factors are causing your problem.
Are you wondering if you may be suffering from allergies?
How To Diagnose Chronic Sinusitis
Many patients we see with chronic sinusitis have been to multiple physicians prior without a diagnosis. An exam will usually include a nasal endoscopy, where a very small scope is used to look at the inside of the nose. This process is usually suggestive of the diagnosis, but a low dose CT scan a 3-minute test that can be performed in the office is needed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.
Read Also: What To Do For A Sinus Infection Naturally
Start Treating Your Nasal Allergies Today
Are you suffering from nasal allergies? Dr. Chacko has helped countless adults and children in the Atlanta area treat issues of the ear, nose and throat successfully. Visit us at one of our Georgia locations in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Duluth and Johns Creek. Make an appointment at the Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center by calling .
Why Is Nasal Irrigation Important And Why Twice A Day
Nasal irrigation is very important with both saline and CitriDrops Dietary Supplement added to saline because removal of the mold antigen using a natural antimicrobial is the fastest way to stop the immune reaction that causes the mucosal pit formation to stop CRS. Irrigating twice per day is ideal to keep the sinus mucosa free of mold and other allergens. CitriDrops Nasal Spray can also be used to make the mucosa antifungal to protect against mold exposures.
You May Like: How To Solve Sinus Problem
Pain In The Quiet Eye
DAVID C. FIORE, MD, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
ANDREW V. PASTERNAK, MD, Silver Sage Center for Family Medicine, Reno, Nevada
RABAB M. RADWAN, MD, Mercy Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program, Redding, California
Am Fam Physician. 2010 Jul 1 82:69-73.
Although eye pain is often accompanied by redness or injection, pain can also occur with a quiet eye. Pain in a quiet eye can be the first sign of a vision-threatening condition, a more benign ophthalmologic condition, or a nonophthalmologic condition. Acute narrow-angle glaucoma is an emergent vision-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment and referral to an ophthalmologist. Although most nonophthalmologic conditions that cause eye pain do not need immediate treatment, giant cell arteritis requires urgent treatment with corticosteroids. Other vascular conditions, such as carotid artery disease, thrombosis of the cavernous sinus, and transient ischemic attack or stroke, rarely cause eye pain but must be considered. Pain may also be referred from the sinuses or from neurologic conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia, migraine and cluster headaches, and increased intracranial pressure. The differential diagnosis of eye pain in the quiet eye is extensive, necessitating a systematic and thorough approach.
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Read Also: Why Am I Getting Sinus Infections All The Time
Why Should You Treat A Sinus Problem
Some sinus problems will clear up without needing medication or treatment. Drinking water and rest can lead to the gradual easing of symptoms, but a more serious sinus problem could result in further issues. The build-up of mucus could cause a sinus infection that will only exacerbate the problem. In fact, an ear infection may be the side effect of congestion behind the eardrum. Also, mucus drainage down the throat could cause a sore throat and persistent cough.
Read Also: Get Antibiotics For Sinus Infection Online
What Could Be Causing Chronic Nasal Congestion
May 29, 2018
If only I could breathe through my nose right about now, that would be great! How many people have thought this very sentiment? The answer is many, so you are not alone. While we may think of Spring and Summer as the peak times for nasal congestion that is often associated with seasonal allergies, many people experience chronic nasal congestion that could have several different causes.
In fact, many of us right now are experiencing nasal congestion symptoms that could be related to the common cold, a sinus infection, or seasonal allergies, but distinguishing which one it is can often be difficult. When you are feeling dreadful, all you want is some relief thats why understanding the true cause of your nasal congestion is so important.
A common cold usually arises during cold weather months and is caused by a viral infection. Colds make you feel terrible but can be cured with over-the-counter medications and rest. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between a common cold and something else, when symptoms are oh so similar.
There are many factors that contribute to the cause of nasal congestion, such as allergies, medications, the weather, sinus infection, structural problems in the nose , and even polyps or tumors. Depending on the cause of your nasal congestion, it can be acute, where it comes on suddenly and is short-term, or chronic, which is persistent and lasts for long periods of time.
What Our Patients Say
After living for years with a deviated septum and chronic sinusitis, I can breathe again and have not gotten any sinus problem since the procedure two months ago. Procedure was quick, painless, and almost instant results. Everyone is super friendly and it is always a pleasure to go into the office. Thanks! Jon S.
Also Check: Azithromycin Dosage For Sinus Infection
How Chronic Sinusitis Affects Vision
Basically, sinusitis is called to sinus cavities infection that exists in head. Some areas of sinus are quite close to the eyes. Being near to sinus area, when sinusitis remains for longer period, it starts pressurizing the eyes by which vision issues occur. The constant pain and affect of sinusitis can sometimes cause blurred vision or vision impairment. Although, this problem occurs very rarely, yet it happens for sure. Significant number patients of sinusitis do complaint for blurred vision. As the sinusitis lasts, the problem of blurred vision also lasts.
How Can Sinusitis Affect Eyesight
The paranasal sinuses are found in the bones of the face maxillary, sphenoid, ethmoid, and frontal and, therefore, an infection or inflammation that affects this area can affect the eyes. When this happens, medical attention is required as soon as possible. Typically, those who suffer from sinusitis and describe vision problems complain of blurred or unclear vision in one eye, difficulty seeing clearly from afar, bulging eyes, and even diplopia, commonly known as double eyesight.
Since the ethmoid sinuses are adjacent to the tear ducts, ethmoid sinusitis accounts for the majority of cases of eye-related problems. One of the complications to watch out for is an orbital infection or an eye socket infection, which causes swelling and drooping of the eyelid and leads to eye movement loss.
In rare cases, pressure on the optic nerve can lead to vision loss. These problems can go away once sinusitis has been properly treated, but damage can sometimes be irreversible.
In short, if you suffer from sinusitis and notice any alteration in your vision, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Read Also: Is A Sinus Operation Painful