Medicine That Helps With Sinus Infection

When To See A Vet For Your Dogs Sinus Infection

If your dogs symptoms have lasted more than 48 hours, its time to bring them to the vet for diagnosis. To discover the cause of your dogs sinus infection, your veterinarian may take X-rays, perform an endoscopy, take a nasal biopsy or culture, or run blood work.

Depending on the cause, your vet may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal therapy, perform surgery, or administer radiation therapy. Some dogs may have chronic sinus infections, which require ongoing treatment to manage signs that occasionally pop up.

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.

Can You Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics

Many sinus infections are caused by a virus like the common cold and do not require antibiotics for treatment. If you have mild symptoms, OTC medications may help relieve your symptoms until you feel better. However, consult your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve after seven days, or if at any time you have intense/severe pain or pressure, or a high fever.

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Drinking Liquids Help Ease Sinus Pain And Loosens Congestion

Staying hydrated keeps your sinuses moist so you feel better, and it also decreases the thickness of sinus mucus so it flows out more easily, Del Signore says.

Everyone is guilty of not drinking enough water, he says, recommending people get from six to eight 8-ounces glasses every day.

Steer clear of too many caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration.

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Sinus Infection Treatment In Children

Sinus infections affect children similarly.

If your child has a sinus infection, the aforementioned home remedies may help, but make sure to follow your pediatrician‘s recommendations to treat your child’s illness.

Note that various over-the-counter medications may not be suitable for your child:

• Babies 6 months old or younger should only receive acetaminophen for pain relief
• Children older than 6 months can receive acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Children should never receive aspirin and teenagers recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not take aspirin because of the risk of a rare and severe illness called Reyeâs syndrome

Children younger than 4 years should not receive cough or cold products unless directed by a pediatrician .

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Can Medicines Cure Sinus Infections

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, about 60% to 70% of sinusitis patients can recover without antibiotics.1

Moreover, the side effects of the medicines sometimes outweigh the benefits. In such cases, one can go for FESSsurgery or . No matter which sinusitis you are suffering from, FESS procedure is an effective treatmentoption that can help to cure out the nasal congestion and blocked noses.

Causes & Risk Factors

Any health situation that blocks off the vital drainage channels of your sinuses can cause a sinus infection including:

• Respiratory infections like the common cold
• Hay fever or exposure to allergens such as cigarette smoke, dry air and pollutants
• Obstructions in the nasal or sinus cavities including nasal polyps, deviated septum, or nasal bone spur
• Non-allergic rhinitis
• Changes in air pressure
• Infections resulting from dental problems
• Physical injury to the sinuses
• Bacteria, viruses, and fungi

The five most common bacteria that can cause sinus infections are: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Risk factors for sinus infections include:

• Having asthma
• Being in the hospital, especially if the reason you are in the hospital is related to a head injury or you needed a tube inserted into your nose

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Natural Treatment For Sinus Infection #7 Diet

What you eat and dont eat are both extremely importantfor preventing and treating sinusitis. All refined and processed foods shouldnot be eaten, especially refined sugars and yeast containing foods as these feed the bad bacteria in your body. Also avoidmucous-forming foods including all processed dairy ,flour products, fried foods and chocolate. If you regularly suffer from sinusinfections, the last thing you need is extra mucous.

For the foods you need to be eating more of, the basicsapply. Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries includingblueberries, raspberries and goji berries, and seeds including chia and flaxseeds, along with healthy oils such as organic coconut oil and palm oil. And of course,eat lots of cultured and fermented foods such as coconut kefir and sauerkraut for yourgood bacteria and oily fish for essential fatty acids.

Sinus Infection Medication For Bacterial Causes

Bacterial sinus infections are caused by large amounts of foreign bacteria creating colonies in the sinuses, causing inflammation and infection. This happens when you touch your nose, eyes, or ears too often without washing your hands frequently.

There are several bacterial infections that may result in a sinus infection if symptoms worsen over time.

If over-the-counter medications are not working, you may need to seek a prescription for antibiotics as a sinus infection medication. Luckily, our sister site PlushCare gives you access to top doctors who can write prescriptions for many medications, including antibiotics for sinusitismake an appointment through PlushCare to get started.

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Do You Need Antibiotics For Sinus Infection

In the vast majority of cases, no, you wont need antibiotics for your sinusitis. Most of the time, your body is perfectly capable of overcoming a bacterial sinus infection on its own.

The treatment for a sinus infection is usually a matter of masking the symptoms so you can remain comfortable. At the same time, your body does the work, which can usually be accomplished with over-the-counter medications like antihistamines or decongestants. Using at-home natural remedies can also be very helpful as well.

Nasal Irrigation And Inhalation

In addition to medication, you can use saline solutions to reduce swelling in the mucous membranes and to help loosen the mucus. Saline solutions are available as ready-to-use nasal sprays. To relieve symptoms, you can also try rinsing your nose with salt water. Heating water and inhaling the steam is another option. Some people like to add chamomile or peppermint. But there is not enough scientific research on saline solutions or steam inhalation to say for sure how effective they are.

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When To See A Doctor For Sinus Issues

If your symptoms persist more than one to two weeks, you should consult with your physician.

Youll want to check with your doctor even sooner if you have a severe case of a sinus infection including a high fever, swelling around the eyes, and red and inflamed skin, among other symptoms, Del Signore says.

In this case, or if your symptoms do not clear up within two weeks, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic.

Consider Using A Supplement Such As The Enzyme Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes found in the pineapple plant that is sold as a dietary supplement. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , you can get it as a powder, cream, tablet, or capsule, sometimes in combination with other ingredients.

According to a research published in the journal Laryngoscope, bromelain has been studied for sinusitis because it is thought to be effective in taming inflammation. A small number of double-blind studies has found bromelain improves sinus symptoms more than a placebo, the review found.

Research published in Alternative Medicine Review indicated that oral doses of bromelain are typically from 500 to 1000 milligrams per day, but some people take 2000 mg.

Although bromelain is natural, that doesnt mean there cant be side effects. The NCCIH cautions that some people experience allergic reactions, GI issues, menstrual problems, and an increased heart rate.

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Medical And Pharmaceutical Options For Sinus Infections

The medical profession would have you believe thatsinusitis is a complicated problem and there is no cure for it. Well this is totallyfalse! The main cause of a sinus infection is not complicated at all and once you fix this, you literally wonthave to worry about sinusitis again.

But what are the medical options available for treatinga sinus infection? Well, antibiotics, pain killers, decongestants, analgesics,mucolytics and steroids are the common pharmaceuticals prescribed byphysicians. And although these may give you relief initially, they do come withside effects and also become less effective the more you use them. Eventually, itgets to the point where they actually do very little . Then when all of these methods fail the last medical option available is radical surgery. Butsurgery rarely fixes sinusitis, and in many cases, can even make things worse! . Many people who do opt for thesurgery also require additional operations after to repair other problems andcomplications that develop as a result of the initial surgery. Someone with adeviated septum, however, can usually benefit from having surgery, but this procedureis typically reserved for patients with a badly crooked septum usually sufferedfrom a severe broken nose or other acute nasal trauma.

Home Remedy For Sinus Infection #5 Vitamin A Vitamind Vitamin C Zinc & Essential Fatty Acids

All of these nutrients are potent remedies for a sinus infection for two basic reasons. Firstly, they help toreduce any inflammation in the body, including in the sinuses. Secondly, they allhelp to boost your immune system, which you now know, is vital to treating andpreventing sinusitis. So either go out and find yourself a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral complex with high amounts of these key nutrients, orpurchase them separately in supplemental form. Also be sure to eat plenty of eggs , pumpkin seeds , chilli peppers and kale , cold waterfatty fish and get lots of sunshine !

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Ocean Saline Nasal Spray

When it comes to simplicity and safety, Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is a hard one to beat. This product incorporates very few components and uses salt as its major active ingredient. It draws out the mucus and dislodges accumulated phlegm to clear out the airways.

Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is highly effective, giving instant relief for both adults and children who use the solution. The only issue some users have with the product is that relief duration may vary, especially depending on the extent of congestion.

Using The Right Water During Saline Rinses

When using saline nasal rinses, tap water should always be boiled and then allowed to cool to ensure cleanliness distilled water or premixed solutions could also be used instead of regular tap water.

Other home remedies for sinus infections include:

• Drinking fluids: Drinking lots of fluids helps loosen and thin mucus. Avoid beverages that are caffeinated and alcoholic beverages that can dehydrate the body, which could thicken mucus.
• Breathing steam: Warm water is best . You can breathe in steam from either a bowl or shower.
• Humidifying the air: Use a cool air vaporizer or humidifier,particularly at night while sleeping.
• Avoiding environmental substances: Avoid tobacco smoke and chlorinated water that can dry up the mucus membranes and exacerbate symptoms.
• Implementing treatment measures: At the first sign of infection, use antihistamines and employ regular nasal rinses.

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Best Over The Counter Medicines For Sinus Infection 2020

If you are struggling with a stuffy or a runny nose, pain across your face, and extensive congestion, you might be dealing with a bad case of sinusitis. Dont worry, though a sinus infection isnt anything that could seriously threaten your health. It can, however, be very inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Fortunately, there are lots of treatments and medicines you can get over the counter to manage and relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. However, while these products are highly accessible, the sheer number of options can make it difficult to choose. So, which product is the best over the counter medicine for a sinus infection?

Let this buying guide help you land the right choice.

Can Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Be Prevented

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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Chronic Sinus Infection Treatment

chronic sinus infections typically have a more mysterious cause than acute infections people with chronic sinus infections often require life-long treatment to keep symptoms at bay.

In addition to the options above, treatment for chronic sinus infections may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and changing home or work conditions to reduce exposure to environmental toxins and allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander etc.
• Oral steroids

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.

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But Sometimes Antibiotics For Sinus Infections Are Needed

So how does one judge when it is appropriate to prescribe antibiotics for a sinus infection? There are several sets of official guidelines, which are all similar. When a patient has thick, colorful nasal discharge and/or facial pressure or pain for at least 10 days, they meet criteria for antibiotic treatment. If a patient has had those symptoms, but the symptoms seemed to start improving and then got worse again, then even if its been less than 10 days, they meet criteria for antibiotic treatment.

The authors, however, also suggest that doctors discuss watchful waiting with patients and explain that most sinus infections clear up on their own in one to two weeks, and its a safe option to hold off on antibiotics. The symptoms can then be treated with a cocktail of over-the-counter medications and supportive care, like nasal saline irrigation, nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, and pain medications.

Of course, many patients expect and demand antibiotics for sinus infections, and even those who are open to watchful waiting may hear about the rare but possible complications of things like, oh, brain abscess, and opt to treat.

In the case of my patient above, she met criteria for treatment. She weighed the watchful waiting option against the potential risks of antibiotics for her sinus infection, and chose the prescription. I can tell you from very close follow-up that she improved quickly, though in truth, we will never really know if she would have gotten better anyway.

When It Comes And When It Goes

If you have allergies, you’ll start feeling symptoms soon after you come into contact with the stuff you’re allergic to. Your symptoms keep up as long as you’re still surrounded by those triggers.

Allergies can happen any time of year. They may be “seasonal,” which means you get them only in the spring or fall. Or they may be year-round. For instance, you might be allergic to pets or mold, which can be a problem no matter the season.

Sinusitis usually happens after you’ve had a cold or allergies. But certain symptoms will keep going, even after your cold goes away. You’ll probably have a stuffy nose and cough for more than a week or two.

You may hear your doctor talk about two kinds of sinusitis: “acute” and “chronic.” There’s a simple way to tell them apart. If your symptoms last less than 4 weeks, it’s acute. If they go on for 3 months or longer, you have chronic sinusitis.

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The Twotypes Of Sinusitis

There are two types of sinus infection you need to beconcerned with acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis canlast for up to four weeks while chronic sinusitis can last for more than threemonths, and even persist for years. The most common triggers for a sinusinfection are the common cold, allergic rhinitis , nasal polyps and a deviatedseptum . Typicalsigns and symptoms of sinusitis include facial pressure and pain, nasaldischarge and/or stuffiness, cough, headache, and loss of taste and smell.