How To Reduce Swelling From Sinus Infection

What Is The Long

Sinus infections are primarily caused by allergies. The most common allergens are pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Those with repeated sinus infections may have chronic sinusitis, which means long-term solutions may be a better option.

Immunotherapy can help. These allergy shots enable your body to decrease sensitivity to common allergens. The Raleigh sinus doctors at Raleigh Medical Group specialize in helping patients with chronic allergy and sinus problems. While immunotherapy is effective, the treatment can take as long as one year to achieve noticeable results and maintenance treatment will likely be needed.

To find out if youre a candidate for immunotherapy, schedule an appointment with one of our internal medicine doctors. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

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How A Pharmacist Can Help With Sinusitis

A pharmacist can advise you about medicines that can help, such as:

• salt water nasal sprays or solutions to rinse out the inside of your nose

You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than a week.

Some decongestant tablets also contain paracetamol or ibuprofen. Be careful when taking painkillers and a decongestant. Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Complications Of Dental Abscess

In rare cases, complications do arise. These can include:

• Cellulitis, an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
• Ludwigâs angina, which occurs when cellulitis spreads into the tissues under the tongue, in the lower jaw and under the chin. It is also known as submandibular cellulitis/submandibular space infection.
• Osteomyelitis, an infection of underlying bone.
• Parapharyngeal abscess, an abscess at the back of the mouth, near the throat. It is caused by staphylococcal and/or streptococcal bacteria. It is most common in children aged five years or younger.
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis, which can occur when the infection spreads into the blood vessels in the sinuses of the head.

These conditions require very urgent medical attention and are best evaluated via a hospital emergency department.

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Will I Need To Make Lifestyle Changes To Deal With Sinus Infections

If you have indoor allergies it is recommended that you avoid triggersanimal dander and dust mites, for exampleas well as take medications. Smoking is never recommended, but if you do smoke, strongly consider a program to help you quit. Smoke can also trigger allergies and prevent removal of mucous by the nose. No special diet is required, but drinking extra fluids helps to thin nasal secretions.

If You Have Sinus Swelling In The Face Smartdocmd Can Help

Sinus infections can cause immense discomfort and at their worst, keep you home from work. No matter the severity of a sinus infection, Californians now have the option to receive treatments for sinus infections from the comfort of their homes. SmartDocMD provides convenient, personalized care online. If leaving your home with sinus swelling in the face makes you uncomfortable, opt for better, safer, and more effective treatment from SmartDocMD.

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Avoid Sinus Pain Triggers

One of the most important things to avoid is over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. They may give some fast relief, but after a few days they make sinus pressure and nasal congestion much worse, warns Das. Some other things you can do to prevent sinus pain include avoiding alcohol, which can aggravate sinus pain and congestion cleaning your humidifier to avoid fungal allergies washing your bedding in hot water to decrease allergy exposure and avoiding swimming, diving, or flying when you have sinusitis, a common cold, or nasal allergy.

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Treating Gum Infections At Home

So, what can you do to improve your gum health at home and deal with ongoing gum problems? There are plenty of natural at-home remedies that make it easy to promote good gum health.

Salt Water Rinse

One of the easiest and most effective ways to deal with a gum infection is a salt water rinse. Salt acts as a natural disinfectant and reduces swelling of the gums. All you need to do is dissolve two teaspoons of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth, as you would with mouthwash. You can do this as many times a day as you choose. Even if youre not dealing with an infection yet, this is a great way to reduce any risk.

Turmeric

Turmeric is well-known for its health properties and dental health is no exception. Its an antioxidant and has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This means it not only reduces your risk for gum infections, itll help treat them and reduce the pain and swelling that come with them.

You can make a paste with turmeric at home by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric powder with salt and mustard oil or vitamin E oil to your desired thickness. If you dont want to dip a toothbrush in the paste you can just use your finger to rub the paste on your teeth and gums. Do this two times per day to treat plaque and gum disease.

If you prefer, you can make a mouth rinse out of turmeric, the same way you did with the salt water.

Aloe Vera

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How To Get Relief From Sinusitis

If youve ever struggled to find relief from a sinus infection, youre not alone. Its a condition that impacts over 30 million Americans a year. In the US alone, sinusitis accounts for roughly 70 million days of decreased activity each year.

And, it seems that everyone is looking for a quick fix so they can get on with their daily activities. That being saidâ¦

Treatment #: Nasal Irrigation

Flushing your nose with a neti pot is a process called nasal irrigation, or nasal lavage. Despite how painful it may seem, nasal irrigation is a safe, well-tolerated method to reduce sinus inflammation. A saline solution, typically 0.9% non-iodized sodium chloride and purified or filtered water, is often used to flush out mucus from congested sinuses and to keep the mucous membranes moist.

Evidence suggests that nasal irrigation provides relief to people suffering from hay-fever and the common cold. It could also be an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. If you are a longtime sufferer from sinus infections, you may want to read Why Do I Keep Getting Sinus Infections?

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What Is Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is a short-term inflammation of the sinuses, most often including a sinus infection. The sinuses are four paired cavities in the head. They are connected by narrow channels. The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose, cleaning the nose. Typically filled with air, the sinuses can become blocked by fluid and swell from irritation. When this happens, they can become infected.

Sinusitis And Sinus Infections

The human body has four main sinus cavities that are located in the areas surrounding the nose and eyes. These cavities play a critical role in breathing by controlling humidity and keeping foreign substances out of the body. The lining of these cavities can become inflamed as a result of a virus or bacteria that enters the body, this inflammation is known as sinusitis .

Inflammation prevents the body from naturally draining mucus from the sinus cavities which may lead to further infection and additional symptoms. Sinusitis sufferers often seek relief from these symptoms using over-the-counter medications or prescription antibiotics. 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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Balloon Sinuplasty: Chronic Sinusitis Treatment That Works

Balloon sinuplasty, also known as balloon sinus dilation, is a modern treatment solution that uses advanced technology to deliver outstanding results. Unlike natural treatments or medication, sinuplasty works to address the underlying cause of your sinusitis. It is the only chronic sinusitis treatment that provides long-term relief without surgery. Sinuplasty gently works to physically open sinus blockage and restore the natural flow of air and mucus.

Since it was first introduced in 2005, more than a half-million patients have experienced long-term relief from painful sinus infections with an astounding 95% success rate. This popular procedure has an outstanding reputation for successful outcomes, minimal pain, quick recovery, and affordability. This success has resulted in sinuplastyâs increased popularity with patients, physicians, and insurance companies. When medically necessary, sinuplasty is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. The long-term cost savings, high success rates, and safety record are all part of the cost-benefit of this high-tech solution. To learn more and discover if balloon sinus dilation is for you, review our balloon sinuplasty information page.

Treatment #: Nasal Spray

There are several types of nasal sprays available. Each addresses the sinus inflammation in a different way.

A decongestant nasal spray helps open up nasal passages by reducing blood flow in the lining of the nose. This shrinks the size of the blood vessels, which in turn causes inflamed tissue to shrink and helps sinuses open up again. Oxymetazoline is the active ingredient in many decongestant sprays including Afrin. These should not be used for more than 3 days in a row or they will cause the congestion to worsen.

Saline Spray

A saline spray that uses the 0.9% non-iodized sodium chloride and distilled water described earlier can be bought over the counter or made at home. You can carry a small bottle with you and spray it into your nose as needed.

Steroid Spray

Steroidal sprays are designed to treat inflammation and congestion. The dose is very small and over time have not been shown to have systemic side-effects. There are many types of steroidal sprays that are over-the-counter now. They take longer than decongestant spray and may take weeks to show noticeable improvement.

Antihistamine Spray

Cromolyn Spray

This is a prescription spray that can also prevent the symptoms of allergies like itching, sneezing and a runny nose. They act on certain body cells, mast cells, and prevent them from releasing the substances that cause the allergic reaction.

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What Are Other Remedies To Ease And Prevent Sinus Infections

• Run water into the nasals to clean it of excess mucus
• Inhale steam in the shower or bend over a pan with hot water
• Use a humidifier to moisten your air in your home to prevent the nasals from drying out
• Elevate your head to keep the mucus from clogging your sinus
• Dont forcefully blow your nose as it can irritate the nasals
• Use the decongestants with caution
• Dont use antihistamines unless prescribed by the doctor

• Balloon Sinuplasty clear the sinus by flushing the built-up mucus with saline solution
• Stereotactic navigation is a minimally invasive procedure that checks out any abnormal growths
• Endoscopic sinus surgery opens up the drainage passage of the sinus to restore its function
• Complex nasal polyp surgery. Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths on the sinus or nasal passages. The procedure, if done correctly, canclear the nasal passages and ease discomfort.

Sinus Infection Treatment And Sinus Pressure Relief

If youre suffering from a short bout of sinusitis which is inflammation of the sinuses from a cold or allergies, but not necessarily infection there are several things you can do at home to ease your sinus pressure symptoms. Use over-the-counter decongestants and saline nose spray to open up the nasal passages. Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide relief from sinus pain as well.However, if your symptoms last more than a few days you should see a doctor for evaluation and treatment. If your cold or sinusitis has developed into a bacterial sinus infection, you may need antibiotics to treat it. Both adults and children can receive care for sinus infections at any of our PhysicianOne Urgent Care centers in Connecticut, Massachusetts or New York, 365 days per year. You can even check in online now at the center nearest you for a convenient appointment with minimal time in the waiting room.

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Herbal Remedies For Sinus Congestion

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is one of the very famous herbal remedies used for curing Sinus Congestion. This herb contains a component known as quercetin, which helps in reducing in inflammation of the nasal passage caused due to sinus. Stinging Nettle is also rich in anti-histamines which help in clearing the congestion of the nasal passage and chest, thereby providing relief from symptoms of sinus congestion.

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This herb also contains Vitamins C, which is very useful in providing relief against sinus problem and boosts the overall immunity of the body. Stinging Nettle can be easily brewed into a herbal tea and consumed for instant effect.

Yerba Mansa

Yerba Mansa is another very powerful and time tested herbal remedy used for treating patients of sinus congestion. Yerba Mansa is famous for its property to dry the nasal passage and is especially very effective in cases of sinus infection where there is copious mucous discharge.

This herb also helps in reducing the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal passage and its astringent properties help in providing relief against the sinus problem. Yerba Mansa is a very good tonic for the mucous membranes and can be used in form of nasal sprays to get relief from symptoms of sinus congestion.

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What Smartdocmd Treats

SmartDocMD treats basic healthcare problems that can be treated virtually. Start your care today with the best online doctor sinus infection.

SmartDocMD treats non-emergency medical conditions that can be safely assessed without an in-office visit. We treat adults 18 years and older with sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, cough, urinary tract infection , eye infection, pink eye, conjunctivitis, eye allergies, and yeast infection.

The symptoms of a common cold, such as eye puffiness, can seem like a viral infection. It takes a doctors assessment to determine if it is a bacterial sinus infection that can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms such as chronic postnasal drip may reveal that a sinus infection is chronic, in which case steroid nasal spray may be prescribed. Even if you think you may know the cause of your common cold or sinus infection symptoms, its best to consult a doctor. Use SmartDocMD for guidance on treating these health problems.

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Mint Juice With Nettle

A good home remedy for allergic sinusitis is drinking mint juice with nettle. This mixture contains anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and decongestant properties that help to reduce sinus irritation and eliminate secretions.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of coconut water
• 1 tablespoon of eucalyptus honey

How to prepare

Cook the nettle leaves in a pot of boiling water. Then place the cooked leaves in a blender with the mint, coconut water and honey, and blend until you achieve a homogenous mixture. You can drink this 2 times per day, between meals.

It is important to cook the nettle leaves before using them, as nettle can cause an allergic reaction .

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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What Are The Different Types Of Sinuses Near The Nose And Eyes

The paranasal sinuses are located in your head near your nose and eyes. They are named after the bones that provide their structure.

• The ethmoidal sinuses are located between your eyes.
• The maxillary sinuses are located below your eyes.
• The sphenoidal sinuses are located behind your eyes.
• The frontal sinuses are located above your eyes.

The biggest sinus cavity is the maxillary cavity, and it is one of the cavities that most often becomes infected.

There are different types of sinusitis:

• Acute bacterial sinusitis: This term refers to a sudden onset of cold symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose, and facial pain that does not go away after 10 days, or symptoms that seem to improve but then return and are worse than the initial symptoms . It responds well to antibiotics and decongestants.
• Chronic sinusitis: This term refers to a condition defined by nasal congestion, drainage, facial pain/pressure, and decreased sense of smell for at least 12 weeks.
• Subacute sinusitis: This term is used when the symptoms last four to twelve weeks.
• Recurrent acute sinusitis: This term is used when the symptoms come back four or more times in one year and last less than two weeks each time.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Sinus Infection Cold Or Nasal Allergy

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold, allergies, and a sinus infection. The common cold typically builds, peaks, and slowly disappears. It lasts a few days to a week. A cold can transform into a sinus infection. Nasal allergy is inflammation of the nose due to irritating particles . Symptoms of a nasal allergy can include sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, congestion, runny nose, and post nasal drip . Sinusitis and allergy symptoms can happen at the same time as a common cold.

If you are fighting off a cold and develop symptoms of a sinus infection or nasal allergy, see your healthcare provider. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and medical history.

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