Tips For Treating Chronic Sinus Infections
No matter the season, having a cold is never convenient. Its even worse when your cold turns into a sinus infection. A sinus infection will stick around long after symptoms of an upper respiratory infection are gone. You might even know its a sinus infection because you get sinus infections frequently. Perhaps your doctor diagnosed your sinus infection after you just couldnt seem to get better. After all, since almost 30 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, your doctor likely treats them a lot.
The question is, when do you need to see a specialist? If your sinus infection just isnt going away, or if you seem to get recurrent sinus infections, it may be time to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Seeking Treatment For Sinusitis
Chronic and recurrent sinusitis can prevent you from being able to breathe out of your nose and have the energy, sleep, and health you need and deserve. This affects your personal and professional life. To put an end to this frustrating cycle, you need professional sinusitis treatment from an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.
Schedule an appointment with your ENT if you have had several sinus infections. If an infection is still present after 10 days, or if previous treatments have not been helpful, Capitol Breathe Free is your partner in combating these symptoms. Schedule your appointment today.
Home Remedies: Treating Acute Sinusitis Without Antibiotics
QUESTION: I have acute sinusitis, and my health care provider doesn’t think I need antibiotics. Are there nonprescription medications that can help relieve symptoms?
ANSWER: Yes. Over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants may help relieve facial pain and sinus congestion associated with acute sinusitis. Over-the-counter medications that may help include:
- These work by narrowing blood vessels to help reduce inflammation and swelling that cause sinus congestion. Such medications are available in liquids, tablets and nasal sprays.
- Pain relievers.Pain caused by pressure buildup in the sinus cavities may be relieved by aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Always use over-the-counter products as directed. If your child becomes infected, check with his or her health care provider to find out what’s safe.
Home remedies you may want to try:
Most people with acute sinusitis get better without antibiotics. However, if your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days, talk to your health care provider.
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Easy Natural Remedies Help Mucus Flow
In many cases, sinushome remedies including those things your mother told you to do can effectively improve inflamed sinuses, says Anthony Del Signore, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City.
These treatments sooth irritated passageways and increase the flow of mucus so you dont feel so stuffed up, he explains.
How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
This article tells us how to get rid of sinus infection without antibiotics, with the use of a few simple home remedies. However, if one still doesnt get relief from the infection, then medical treatment is required.
This article tells us how to get rid of sinus infection without antibiotics, with the use of a few simple home remedies. However, if one still doesnt get relief from the infection, then medical treatment is required.
Sinus infections can cause painful headaches and other discomfort. Mostly, one gets this problem after a cold or flu. However, sometimes one might also get a sinus infection due to certain kinds of allergies. Another cause is a bacterial infection, but this is a very rare case. When a person gets infected the sinuses which are normally filled with air, get filled with mucus which doesnt get drained. This blocks the nasal passages, and leads to a stuffy nose, headache, and breathing discomfort. For treatment, doctors generally prescribe antibiotics. However, this is not recommended for long term use. If you are looking for a more natural, safer way, then here are some remedies that will help you to cure the infection naturally.
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How I Healed My Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
Lying in bed with a sinus infection is painful, but with the right treatment it can be over soon. You may think that antibiotics are the only way to cure sinus infections, but at Express ER in San Antonio we know that there is more than one way to heal the body. Overuse of antibiotics is causing bacteria to become resistant to these medicines, making them ineffective.
Sinus Infections are rarely ever due to true bacterial infections, but you can make sure by making a trip to a local emergency room in NE San Antonio. The correct term for common sinus infections would be acute rhinosinusitis, or acute inflammation of sinuses and the nose. The cause of this inflammation varies, from the common cold to allergies and irritation of the sinus.
Other Considerations For Beating A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics:
Humming seems to help.
My friends report excellent results using high doses of vitamin C and immune-supporting herbs like echinaceaand elderberry syrup. However, echinacea bothers my stomach so I rarely use it.
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful anti-fungal that cleared up a breast infection for me when nothing else worked. Its also shown promise as an anti-viral. It tastes awful. I recommend using it in homemade cleaning products, and you can try drinking a few drops in water or freshly made juice two or three times a day at the first sign of a cold or flu. GSE may help you beat your sinus infection without antibiotics.
Dont ever take Tylenol, for anything. And dont ever give it to your kids. Tylenol should not be used to beat a sinus infection without antibiotics.
Sip on soup: Old-fashioned chicken soup, like your grandma used to make, is full of health-giving nutrients, deeply comforting, and tremendously healing. Load the soup with fresh organic garlic, onions, carrots, and greens , free-range chicken, and fresh spices . Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sip steaming hot throughout the day or as your body desires. You can also buy pre-made bone broth, which naturally minded doctors often recommend.
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What To Do For Chronic Sinusitis
If youre suffering from chronic sinusitis or you are getting frequent sinus infections you should see your doctor, says Dr. Sindwani.
Your doctor will swab your nose to collect mucus. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed.
Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. But dont look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens.
Ear Infections And Kids Anatomy
Its their anatomy that makes them particularly susceptible.
Older children and adults have a more efficient system for clearing colds. The fluid that builds up in the ear during and after an upper respiratory illness drains down the Eustachian tube, the canal that links the ear to the nose and throat.
In children younger than age 7, the Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontally positioned, so the fluid takes longer to drain. The build-up can press on the eardrum, causing pain that is especially noticeable to kids when they lay down, breastfeed or suck on a bottle.
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What Naturally Kills A Sinus Infection
One of the first things that you should do to relieve your sinus infection is to drink lots of water. This is because it helps to keep your sinuses moist and prevents them from getting blocked.
Moreover, drinking hot liquids like tea or soup is also helpful. You can also take hot showers if you have sinus congestion.
Lastly, you should avoid coffee or alcohol as they can dry out your throat. A warm compress towel can help you relieve the pain caused by your sinus infection.
Treatments For Sinus Infections Other Than Antibiotics
#1: Saline Nasal Wash
Saline nasal wash can be a great way to thin out the mucous in the sinuses enough to clear out the blockage. I recommend starting this early on in the course of the illness to prevent the infection from worsening.
You can even make this at home using 2 cups of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I would add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda to prevent burning that can occur with use. There are also plenty of over the counter saline nasal sprays that you can purchase. You can use this 4-6 times per day.
#2: Vaporizer
Vaporizers are great because they can also thin out the mucous and make you feel a lot better. An easy home remedy, steam is probably the best way to use this treatment. Beware if you are an asthmatic as the steam could cause worsening of the asthma symptoms.
#3: Steroid Nasal Spray
Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase have been my go to remedy recently and the great news is that they are now over the counter. The general recommendation is to use 1-2 sprays per nostril daily.
But I have found great relief using 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. At these higher doses it is important to remember that you should use this short term, no more than 5-7 days.
These medications can significantly reduce inflammation allowing the congestion blockage to clear and significantly alleviate symptoms.
#4: Decongestants
#5: Guaifenesin
Guaifenesin such as Mucinex can certainly break up the mucous, allowing the congestion to clear more quickly.
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Drinking Lots Of Fluids
One of the most important natural treatments for sinusitis is to drink lots of water. Water makes up about 50% of the human body.
The body needs water to perform its natural healing processes and to reduce inflammation. Drinking lots of water can relieve the pain and swelling associated with sinusitis.
Its important to remember that sinus infections can be caused by a number of factors, including the change in seasons, exposure to the sun, or even too much sugar or dairy.
In the case of chronic sinusitis, you should see a medical professional, especially if your symptoms last more than a few days.
Ways To Recognize Serious Signs Of Sinus Infections
#1: Duration
The length of the infection is an important determinant of the seriousness of the infection.
I usually consider most infections less than 3 weeks to be viral or inflammation related to congestion. At this point, the best treatment is usually medications that decrease the congestion and inflammation. This in turn will alleviate the symptoms and ultimately cure the illness.
When the illness continues beyond 3 weeks, bacterial infection can begin to develop. Though antibiotics can be considered at this point, other treatments may still be the best answer if they have not yet been given a try.
#2: Mucous Color
I will dispel a myth right here and now. Yellowish/greenish mucous does not necessarily mean the infection is bacterial.
Viruses can cause the same color mucous. The reason for the mucous is generally not the actual bacteria or virus, but the bodys immune response to the intruder.
So dont worry just because you see a colored mucous when you blow your nose. This will also improve as the infection abates.
#3: Sinus Pain
Sinus pain can occur anytime throughout a sinus infection. This is normal and means there is inflammation in the sinuses, as we discussed previously.
However, severe pain, redness over the skin, hardened skin over the sinuses, or even a severe headache are not generally normal and can indicate a bacterial infection.
#4: Fever
A fever can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. So how do you differentiate between the two?
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**The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
When Does Antibiotic Resistance Occur
Antibiotic resistance occurs in a persons own body and within the community when certain drugs no longer work for a specific type of germ. This can occur when bacteria change in response to exposure to antibiotics so that the antibiotics no longer work efficiently against the bacteria.
Therefore, allergists and other specialists recommend limiting the use of antibiotics unless:
- Symptoms last over seven to 10 days
- Specific symptoms are present
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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!
How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself
You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:
- getting plenty of rest
- taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
- cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion
You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.
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What Are The Sinuses How Many Do We Have
A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity. For the purposes of this article, a sinus will refer to those hollow cavities that are in the skull and connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone . Normally all sinuses are open to the nasal airway through an ostium. Humans have four pair of these cavities each referred to as the:
The four pairs of sinuses are often described as a unit and termed the paranasal sinuses. The cells of the inner lining of each sinus are mucus-secreting cells, epithelial cells, and some cells that are part of the immune system .
Functions of the sinuses include humidifying and warming inspired air, insulation of surrounding structures , increasing voice resonance, and as buffers against facial trauma. The sinuses decrease the weight of the skull. If the inflammation hinders the clearance of mucous or blocks the natural ostium, the inflammation may progress into a bacterial infection.
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Take A Warm Bath Or Warm Water
One of the first things that you should try if you think you have a sinus infection is a warm bath. This can help you clear your sinuses and take your mind off the pain of the infection.
A warm shower can help, too. You can also use a saline spray, which can be made from distilled water. Saline rinses help clear mucus from your sinuses and nose, so theyre great for a sinus infection.
You can also inhale eucalyptus vapor to help open up your sinuses. The essential oil of eucalyptus has both antiseptic and expectorant properties, and can help relieve sinus pain. Read on to learn more about Eucalyptus oil.
However, some people are sensitive to this plant, so be sure to check the ingredient list. Also, be sure to breathe in deeply when inhaling eucalyptus vapor. Try doing this 2 to 3 times a day.
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What Are Complications Of A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis
While serious complications do not occur frequently, it is possible for a sinus infection to cause a direct extension of infection into the brain through a sinus wall, creating a life-threatening emergency .
In addition, other adjacent structures can become infected and develop problems, such as osteomyelitis of bones in the skull and infection around the eye . Rarely, these infections may cause death. The most susceptible individuals to complications are patients with suppressed immune systems, diabetes, and relatively rarely from multiple trauma injuries that may occur in natural disasters.