How Do You Diagnose Chronic Sinusitis
The presence of two or more of the listed symptoms for at least three months raises the suspicion of a chronic sinus infection.
In such cases, we will evaluate you to confirm the diagnosis. This involves applying pressure on your sinuses to elicit tenderness. If the tenderness is positive, your sinuses are likely to be inflamed. We will then take a peek into your nose using a small flexible scope, and check for nasal polyps, pus-filled discharge, and deviated septum.
We may also recommend nasal endoscopy. This is an office procedure that enables us to view the interior of your nose and sinus passages. Its done with an instrument called an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light. We will pass this scope into your nose and sinuses to look inside. Nasal endoscopy allows us to detect any swelling and polyps, as well as collect discharge from the infected area. This can help spot the cause of your infection and whats the best way to treat it.
If need be, we may also perform imaging in the form of a computed tomography to look for further problems.
Allergy skin tests look for allergic causes and to check for problems within your immune system may also be done.
Whats Happening In My Body
Most sinus infections come from colds that start in the nose.
A lot of sinus infections are caused by coronaviruses.
These viruses replicate in the nose. Your immune system then kicks off an inflammatory response to help kill the virus. This can cause swelling in the sinuses, leading to your symptoms.
Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections dont respond to antibiotics and usually just need to run their course. But you dont have to take it lying down!
Irrigate Your Sinuses To Help Ease Symptoms And Prevent Sinus Infections
Nasal irrigation is basically a method of using a saltwater solution to force out germs and plugged-up mucus residing in the sinus passages. Other terms for this are nasal wash, nasal douche, or lavage. Some people refer to it by one of the popular devices used to get the water in, a neti pot.
A small number of studies has found irrigation can improve symptoms, including one review published in September 2016 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Experts caution that it is important to use distilled or sterile water to avoid the rare possibility of introducing a parasite into your sinus passageways.
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Use Decongestants But Only Temporarily
You can definitely pop some Sudafed tablets or even spritz some Afrin into your nose, but beware: you cant do this forever.
In an acute infection, a decongestant can be useful, but Afrin can become addicting if used for more than a few days and oral decongestants used regularly can have cardiovascular effects, says Dr. Thompson. These are targeted for short-term use.
Also, FYI, patients with high blood pressure shouldnt use these OTC products, and people who are sensitive to stimulants, like caffeine, might have trouble sleeping when using them, per Dr. Takashima.
What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home
Here are the top 10 at-hometreatments to help ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.
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Balloon Sinuplasty: A Non
If you are one of the millions of Americans that battle frequent or long-term sinus infections and are seeking a sinusitis treatment that does not involve risky surgery, there is good news sinusitis treatment is available. Balloon Sinuplasty is another non-invasive sinusitis cure that works simply by expanding some or all three of the major nasal sinuses and allowing them to work naturally. This safe and simple sinus infection treatment can be done in the comfort of the office with our Board Certified Otolaryngologist, Dr. Sam Mathur. Schedule your appointment today and start your journey toward real and lasting sinus infection relief.
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Sinusitis And Sinus Infections
Most sinus infection medicine ultimately seeks to relieve inflammation around the sinus cavities. This inflammation is most often caused by a virus or bacteria and results in a blockage that prevents mucus from naturally draining out of the sinus cavities. This inflammation results in painful symptoms and the blocked mucus may lead to additional infection. A single sinus infection can last 2 or more weeks.
Patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis often seek relief from a variety of over-the-counter sinus infection medication or prescription antibiotics, such as a sinus infection z pack. Patients may find temporary symptom relief through pharmaceuticals however, these medications often carry a number of undesirable side effects including:
- Drowsiness or insomnia
- Individual complications
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Clearing Out Your Nasal Passage
Nasal infections usually start because mucous and bacteria get trapped in your sinuses. This is why rinsing out your nasal passages is one of the most common and effective treatments for sinus pressure and infections. A daily rinse can flush out mucous and bacteria, relieving your pain and eventually helping the infection clear up. It easy to flush your sinuses and there are a few different methods. Try a few and see which ones work best for you.
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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Turmeric Or Ginger Root
It is one of the famous fragrant spices that are used in a variety of cuisines. Turmeric contains an anti-inflammatory component called curcumin which helps in relieving the sinus infection. Turmeric and ginger roots can also act as an anti-oxidant.
Excessive night time sinus drainage can lead to stomach upset that can be cured with ginger root. Turmeric and ginger root is one of the best cures for sinus infection.
How To Cure A Sinus Infection
- Add ¼ cup of Apple cider vinegar to the vaporizer
- Switch the vaporizer on and inhale the vapor
If you do not have a vaporizer, just add ¼ cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to half a liter of boiling water and inhale the vapors.
Benefits:
Apple cider vinegar clears airways by breaking mucus. Its antibacterial properties help get rid of the infection. In addition, having 2 tablespoons of ACV every day boosts the immune system.
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Your Sinus Infection Natural Treatment
Obviously, you shouldnt use ALL of these remedies TOGETHER. Just choose a few of them, the most available to you, and youre set.
A few combinations you can try are:
Natural Home Remedies For Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a condition that impacts the daily lives of 1 in 10 of our family, friends, and neighbors in Scottsdale and surrounding areas. If you are one of the thousands in our community that are trying to find out how to cure sinus infections permanently, then you understand how the symptoms of sinusitis make daily life difficult. Dizziness is one of the most common sinus infection symptoms and a sinus headache follows as a close second. Sinus sufferers also struggle with symptoms such as:
- Sleep disruption
- Nasal congestion or post-nasal drip
- Breathing problems
- Facial pain
- Coughing, sneezing, runny nose
These symptoms result in countless hours of missed work/school, a loss of productivity, and impaired ability to fully enjoy all that life has to offer.
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Natural Remedies For A Sinus Infection
Its no secret that the over-use of antibiotics has come under fire as of late, and one of the most common venues in which this misuse plays out falls in the domain of sinus infections.
Sinus infections are bacterial infections that create pressure, swelling, and post-nasal drip that can also be triggered by allergies or other cold symptoms, which is why physicians will often prescribe antibiotics for acute symptoms even though a normal sinus infection will often heal itself in 7 to 10 days, according to the CDC, Mayo Clinic, and The New England Journal of Medicine.
Below, we highlight a few natural remedies for sinus infections that can improve symptoms before they manifest into a full-blown infection.
Ideally, the affected person should start using these remedies at the first sign of symptoms, in order to reap maximum benefits.
Essential Oils For Sinus Infections
Many essential oils that contain antimicrobial properties, make a powerful weapon against bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
Peppermintor eucalyptus oil in a humidifier helped open up my nasal passageways and are natural sinus decongestants.
If your nose is stuffy, try to dilute 1 drop of Eucalyptus Oil in 1 tbsp of carrier oil and rub it on the bridge of your nose .
Alternatively, you can use Frankincense essential oil.
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Medical Vs Home Remedies
At the onset of sinusitis symptoms, some of us are too swift to turn to treatment via antibiotics. But, the infection and symptoms may go away by attempting to first use natural remedies. In fact, antibiotics are greatly overprescribed and given to between 70-80% of acute and chronic sinusitis patients. While they can certainly be a quick fix in many instances, medical research shows that antibiotics are often an ineffective treatment regime for sinus sufferers. Whether your sinus infection is diagnosed as acute or chronic, understanding the cause of sinus inflammation is the key to deciding which form of treatment is best. Many people suffer from sinusitis as a result of outdoor or indoor allergies to mold, pollen or dog dander. At the initial onset of infection, natural remedies may be preferable to antibiotics or other medication. Natural remedies can be used in tandem as well with over-the-counter medications such as decongestants. Dr. Bennett recommends speaking to your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your sinus infection and reminds patients that combining both home and medical treatments is often the best solution to breathing easier.
How To Treat A Nasal Infection: Can Natural Remedies Help
This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 129,832 times.
Nasal infections are no fun. They usually cause pain, pressure, discomfort, and general fatigue, making you feel lousy overall. Youll probably want relief as quickly as possible if youre experiencing these symptoms. Luckily, most of the recommended treatments for nasal infections can be done right in your own home. Flushing out your sinuses, supporting your immune system, and taking steps to avoid pain are all treatments that doctors suggest to heal the infection. If these home treatments dont work after 10 days, then call your doctor for an appointment. You may need a quick round of antibiotics to knock the infection out.XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source
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Know When To See Your Doctor
If natural remedies dont help with the sinus pain, your doctor may perform a CT scan of your nose and sinuses to look for blockages. If your sinus pain lasts for over a week and you have also developed a fever, you should see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. A more aggressive form of treatment may be required.
When Are Home Remedies Not Enough
If you have tried several of the home remedy techniques listed above, and still do not see any signs of improvement, or your symptoms seem to be worsening, perhaps it is time to visit your doctor to discuss more aggressive treatment options. So if your congestion and discomfort show no signs of subsiding after 5-7 days,and you have tried numerous natural remedies, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Request an Appointment
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When Should I Go See The Doctor About A Sinus Infection
It is pretty easy to care for most sinus conditions on your own. However, if you continue to have symptoms that concern you or if your infections continue to happen, your primary care doctor might suggest you see a specialist. This could also happen if your CT scan shows something that does not look right.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Sinusitis, or swelling of the tissues of the sinus cavities, is a common condition with many causes, including viruses and bacteria, nasal polyps or allergies. Signs and symptoms may including facial pressure, fever and tiredness. You can treat symptoms at home by resting, taking over-the-counter products and increasing your fluid intake. Make sure you contact your healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve, if sinusitis happens often or if you have any symptom that worries you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/04/2020.
References
Boiling Hot Water In A Steam Tent: Avoid Steam That Is Too Hot
Warm mist is a very effective home remedy to soothe and moisturize sinus passageways, helping you feel better. One way people treat themselves with steam is to boil a pot of water then tent a towel over their head while leaning over the liquid.
If you use this method, is critical to let the water cool a bit, and not to place your face too close to the water, or you may burn your face.
This is especially a problem with children. An article in the British Medical Journal from 2004 documented seven cases in a six-month period in which kids suffered burns, usually to the face, from being too close to scalding water.
This danger is why a wellness guide from the University of Minnesotas Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing advises that children under age 7 never steam in this manner. Children 7 and older should be encouraged to stay back from the steam and wear swimming goggles to protect their eyes.
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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.