Drink Plenty Of Water
âIt may seem too simplistic, but a lack of hydration is one of the most common reasons for health problems. Proper hydration allows the body to fully function in its most natural state and that includes the bodyâs natural ability to fight off infection and inflammation. Youâve probably heard the advice that you need to drink 8 glasses of 8oz water per day , but keep in mind that depending on your environment, exercise, temperature, underlying health conditions, and other factors you may need more or less water in your daily diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also a good source of hydration and can help provide the body with the vitamins and nutrients that it needs to fight disease and maintain good health.
Natural Home Remedies For Sinus Infection
Natural home remedies are good for anyone who wants relief while avoiding the side effects that medications can cause. Natural home remedies are especially good if you are only suffering from a mild infection. If you suffer from recurring or chronic infections then it would be best to visit MidState ENT for a comprehensive treatment plan.
Most of the following natural remedies for sinus infections will involve water or water vapor and that is because water is the most effective natural solution. It can penetrate blockages, break them up, and allow mucus to flow freely again. This will help sinus infections to clear up and heal.
When Should You Talk To An Ent About A Sinus Infection
You should schedule a consultation with an ear, nose, and throat doctor if you are experiencing these sinus infection symptoms:
- An infection that lasts longer than 10 days
- Chronic, recurring sinus infections
- Sinus pain and pressure that is disrupting your daily activities
- At-home remedies dont work to relieve your symptoms
- Increase in pain
Family doctors or primary care physicians can help with basic sinus infection treatment by prescribing antibiotics and prescription-strength decongestants. But recurring sinus infections or chronic issues should be addressed by an ear, nose, and throat specialist also known as an otolaryngologist. Depending on your insurance coverage, you might need a referral from your primary care physician before visiting an ENT.
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Over The Counter Medications
For help alleviating sinus pressure and pain, try ibuprofen and a decongestant. Some medications include a combination of pain reliever and decongestant.
Mild antihistamines like Claritin and Allegra are helpful in moderation. Strong antihistamines like Benadryl are often way too drying. Be careful not to take antihistamines too often.
Even though you want your nose to stop running, too many antihistamines can make it more likely that youll get sinus infections in the future.
Drugs like Mucinex and Flonase can also be helpful in thinning the mucus in your nose and sinuses.
If you use Afrin, make sure you stop after three days. Though it can seem like a miracle drug, using it more than three days in a row can lead to something called rebound congestion. In other words, when you stop using the Afrin after continuous use, your nose becomes more congested than it was in the first place!
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Is It Possible To Prevent Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis
Currently, there are no vaccines designed specifically against infectious sinusitis or sinus infections. However, there are vaccines against viruses and bacteria that may cause some infectious sinusitis. Vaccination against pathogens known to cause infectious sinusitis may indirectly reduce or prevent the chance of getting the disease however, no specific studies support this assumption. Fungal vaccines against sinusitis are not available, currently.
If you are prone to recurrent bouts of a yearly sinus infection it may be important to consider allergy testing to see if this is the underlying cause of the recurring problem. Treatment of the allergy may prevent secondary bacterial sinus infections. In addition, sinus infections may be due to other problems such as nasal polyps, tumors, or diseases that obstruct normal mucus flow. Treatment of these underlying causes may prevent recurrent sinus infections.
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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!
How Do I Get Rid Of Thick Mucus In My Sinuses
Taking the following actions can help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm: Keeping the air moist. Drinking plenty of fluids. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face. Keeping the head elevated. Not suppressing a cough. Discreetly getting rid of phlegm. Using a saline nasal spray or rinse. Gargling with salt water.
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When To Seek Medical Care
See a doctor if you have:
- Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
- Symptoms that get worse after improving.
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
- Fever longer than 3-4 days.
You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.
This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.
Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:
- Seasonal allergies
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Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp
If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:
- steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
- antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
- antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you’re very unwell or at risk of complications
You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.
A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:
- still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
- keep getting sinusitis
- only have symptoms on 1 side of your face
They may also recommend surgery in some cases.
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Do You Need Surgery To Stop Your Sinus Infections
Surgery may be an option if your Acute Sinusitis is due to a deviated septum, polyps, or other structural problems. The main goals of sinus surgery are to relieve your symptoms and cut down on how many infections you get. If they keep coming back, chances are theres something in your nasal cavity that surgery could fix.
Can Sinusitis Be Prevented
Simple changes in your lifestyle or home environment can help lower the risk of sinusitis. For example, during the winter, use a humidifier to keep home humidity at 45%50%. This will stop dry air from irritating the sinuses and make them less of a target for infection. Clean your humidifier often to prevent mold growth.
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General Sinus Face Massage
To start, place your four fingers on each of your temples and gently massage in a circular motion. If you feel a tense spot, hold and breathe for several seconds. You can continue along parts of your forehead and hairline.
Next, take your thumb and index finger and place them on your eyebrow closest to your nose while gently pinching down. Hold this position for several seconds. Slowly work your way across the eyebrow toward your ear.
Then take four fingers and place them on the inside of your cheekbone near the bottom of your nose. Gently press and drag your fingers outward. Repeat several times.
As you finish toward the outside of your ear, gently massage the temporomandibular joint , which connects the lower jaw to the skull. If you cant find it, open your mouth and you should be able to feel it protrude out.
Finally, make a V with your fingers by separating your middle and index fingers from your ring and pinky fingers. Bring your fingers to your ear and slowly massage this area in an upward and downward motion.
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Sinus pain lasts more than 24 hours, after using nasal washes
- Thick yellow or green pus draining from nose and not improved by nasal washes. Exception: yellow or green tinged secretions are normal.
- Sinus congestion and fullness lasts more than 14 days
- Nasal discharge lasts more than 2 weeks
- You have other questions or concerns
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Causes Of Sinus Trouble
Your sinus trouble can be caused by a number of things, including sinusitis and rhinitis.
Sinusitis is an infection that causes inflammation and swelling of your sinuses. The Infectious Diseases Society of America states that 90-98 percent of sinusitis cases are caused by viruses, which cant be treated with antibiotics. Sinus infections are one of the leading reasons antibiotics are prescribed, but theyre only effective in treating 2 to 10 percent of these infections.
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammatory condition that normally lasts more than three months. Nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths, often accompany chronic sinusitis.
If you have allergic rhinitis, your immune system triggers the release of histamines that irritate your nasal membranes. This leads to congestion and sneezing. Allergic rhinitis can lead to sinusitis.
Its time to see your doctor if you experience:
- symptoms that last longer than 10 days
- a fever of 102°F or higher
- symptoms that get worse, including a spike in your fever or increased greenish nasal discharge
- changes in vision
You should also see a doctor if you have asthma or emphysema or you take medications that suppress your immune system.
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Managing Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home
Below are the top methods for the at-home treatment and management of sinus pain and inflammation. These tips can also aid in recovering from a sinus infection more quickly.
If the sinus infection symptoms do not improve using the above at-home treatments, or in the event the symptoms are lasting for more than seven to 10 days, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor. In addition, patients who experience frequent or reoccurring sinus infections should follow up with an ear, nose and throat doctor to discuss possible long-term treatment options.
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How Is Acute Sinusitis Diagnosed
Acute sinusitis is usually diagnosed by discussing all of your symptoms and medical history with your doctor. In a physical exam, your doctor will look at the ears, nose, and throat to check for any blockage, swelling, and drainage. If allergies are suspected, your doctor will can have an allergy test performed to determine what allergens might be the cause of your sinusitis.
Can You Flush Out A Sinus Infection
Its a common question: can you flush out a sinus infection? The answer is yes, but its important to understand how and why this works before trying it at home. Sinus infections are caused by inflammation in the sinuses, which are the hollow cavities in the facial bones around the nose. This inflammation is usually due to an infection, such as a cold or bacterial infection. When the sinuses become inflamed, they produce excess mucus, which can lead to congestion, pressure, and pain in the face. One way to relieve these symptoms is to flush out the sinuses with saline solution. Saline solution is simply salt water, and it can help to break up the mucus and clear out the congestion. You can make your own saline solution at home by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water. To use this method, simply tilt your head back and pour the solution into one nostril. Allow it to drain through your other nostril and then spit it out. Repeat on the other side. You may need to do this several times a day until your symptoms start to improve.
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How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
If youre one of the 37 million Americans who suffer from sinus infections each year, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Your head hurts, your face is swollen, and you cant breathe through your nose. You want relief fast. While most sinus infections are caused by viruses and will therefore go away on their own, some are caused by bacteria and will require antibiotics to clear up. However, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms and get rid of your infection quicker:
Stay Hydrated Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin out mucus so it drains more easily from your sinuses. Aim for eight glasses of water or other fluids each day.
Use a humidifier or steam inhalerThese devices add moisture to the air, which can help loosen mucus and make it easier to breathe. Just be sure to clean them regularly to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria.
Apply warm compresses to your face several times a day This will help reduce swelling and pain around your sinuses. Simply soak a clean washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and apply it to your face for a few minutes at a time as needed throughout the day.
Flush out your sinuses with saline solution
You can purchase saline solution over-the-counter at most pharmacies or make your own by mixing together 1/4 teaspoon salt with 8 ounces of distilled water. Use a bulb syringe or Neti pot to pour the solution into one nostril while tilting your head sideways.
Gargle with warm salt water
How Does A Nebulizer Help To Get Rid Of Sinus
A nebulizer is a medication delivery device that can be used to treat a wide variety of respiratory conditions. Asthma, allergies, and even some forms of cancer can be treated with a nebulizer. The device itself is relatively simple, consisting of a compressor that forces air through the medication and into the lungs.
Nebulizers are often used to deliver bronchodilators, which relax the muscles around the airways and improve airflow. They can also be used to deliver steroids, which help to reduce inflammation. Sinus infections are one of the most common conditions treated with a nebulizer.
The medication helps to break up the mucus that is clogging the sinuses and makes it easier to breathe. In addition, the nebulizer helps to flush out the sinuses and reduce swelling. As a result, patients with sinus infections often find relief within minutes of starting treatment.
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Can You Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection At Home
Luckily, there are many solutions on how to get rid of a sinus infection that you can do at home. Sinus infection is usually caused by a virus, but it can also occur due to fungi or bacteria. The risk of developing sinusitis increases if you have: In most cases, a sinus infection can be treated with home remedies.
How To Cure A Sinus Infection
Sinus infections impact the lives of millions of Americans just like you. Together, we spend billions of dollars each year in over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat difficult symptoms. It is responsible for more than 16 million doctor visits that take away valuable time from work, friends, and family. The good news is that you donât have to continue suffering. There are cures for sinusitis that are safe, affordable, and ready for you.
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Is Your Sinus Infection Acute Or Chronic
A short-term sinus infection is often referred to as acute sinusitis. Most cases of acute sinusitis last about a week, but this type of short-term sinus infection can last up to four weeks. If you suffer from a sinus infection that lasts longer than 12 weeks despite treatment from your doctor, its considered chronic sinusitis.
How Is Acute Sinusitis Treated
Acute sinusitis is typically a short-term condition that is not too severe. For many people, little or no treatment is needed. Most people get better on their own after seven to 10 days.
Antibiotics are only helpful for bacterial infections. Most sinusitis is due to viruses or other causes that are not cured by antibiotics.
Other treatment options include ways to manage your symptoms. You can:
- Try nasal sprays and decongestants. You should not use over-the-counter medicated nose sprays longer than three days unless your healthcare provider says you should.
- Get extra rest and drink extra fluids.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you have significant pain.
- Irrigate your nasal passages with saline solution. Since this is just salt and sterile water applied to the nose for cleaning, you can continue longer than five days.
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Reliving Pain And Discomfort
Clogged sinuses are a real drain. Until your infection clears up, youll probably experience pressure and pain in your head and face. Luckily, there are a few natural home remedies you can use to make yourself more comfortable while you recover. If these dont work, then taking a daily pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is the most effective way to treat the pain.