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Prescription Drugs For Sinus Infection

Sinus Infection Medication For Viral Causes

Sinus Rinsing With Saline or Medication

Viral sinus infections are usually a symptom of the common cold or other viruses. When these viruses take a toll on your body, they sometimes spread to your sinuses and cause inflammation over time.

While you may be able to fend off a full-blown sinus infection with over-the-counter solutions, once youre at a certain point of inflammation, you might require stronger meds that only a doctor can prescribe.

Is There A Right Way To Blow Your Nose

If you have a stuffy nose, trying to force yourself to blow your nose could make it worse. The best thing to do is to blow one side of your nose at a time gently into a tissue. You might want to first use some type of nasal rinse to loosen any material in your nose before blowing. Make sure you dispose of the tissue and then clean your hands with soap and water or an antimicrobial sanitizer.

Getting Sinus Infection Medication Online

Although most cases of sinusitis arent that serious, if youve been suffering for more than a few weeks, its a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor. PlushCare is a fast, reliable online resource for doctor appointments. You can speak about your symptoms and discuss sinus infection medication options with a trained physician. Just make an appointment here, and have peace of mind about your sinus discomfort!

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Surgery And Other Procedures

For chronic sinusitis that does not respond to medication, your doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery, which may be done to remove polyps or bone spurs. Enlarging the sinus opening is also sometimes recommended. A newer procedure called balloon rhinoplasty involves inserting a balloon inside the sinus cavity and then inflating it. Your health care provider may suggest other alternatives.

Keeping Kidneys Safe: Smart Choices About Medicines

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If you have chronic kidney disease , diabetes, or high blood pressureor if you take certain blood pressure medicines that affect your kidneysyou should take steps to protect your kidneys from harm.

ACE inhibitors and ARBs are two types of blood pressure medicine that may slow the loss of kidney function and delay kidney failure. You can tell if youre taking one of these medicines by its generic name. ACE inhibitors end in pril and ARBs have generic names that end in sartan for example, lisinopril and losartan.

You may also take a diuretic, sometimes called a water pill, to meet your blood pressure goals.

The information below explains

  • actions you can take to keep your kidneys safe while taking these blood pressure medicines
  • why you sometimes need to take special care with medicines for example, when youre sick, dehydrated, or thinking about whether or not to take an over-the-counter medicine

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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.

Caveats: Refer Seriously Ill Patients And Complicated Cases

A very important caveat to our recommendation is that seriously ill patients must be managed differently. Very infrequently a patient develops a serious complication of acute sinusitis such as brain abscess, periorbital cellulitis, or meningitis. Therefore, seriously ill patients with signs and symptoms of acute bacterial sinusitis, such as high fever, periorbital erythema or edema, severe headache, or intense facial pain must be carefully evaluated and treated with great caution and close follow-up. These patients should be referred immediately for consultation with an otolaryngologist.

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When To See Your Doctor

You need to seek medical help if:

  • You have symptoms that last two weeks or longer, or a cold that gets worse after the first week.
  • Your headache is not relieved by standard medication.
  • Fever is present.
  • You have symptoms after finishing your antibiotics.
  • Your vision has changed during the infection.

When Should I Use A Nasal Decongestant

New Treatments for Chronic Sinusitis

If you have mild congestion caused by cold, flu, or seasonal allergies, you may want to consider an OTC nasal decongestant. This can help clear up your nasal passages and help you breathe more easily.

You dont have to take a decongestant as part of your at-home treatment regimen. Once your infection clears away or your allergies arent triggered, the congestion will clear up on its own.

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What Is A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis

Inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose is referred to as sinusitis. Sinusitis can be caused by infection , but also can be caused by allergy and chemical irritation of the sinuses. A sinus infection occurs when a virus, bacterium, or fungus grows within a sinus.

Sinusitis is one of the more common conditions that can afflict people throughout their lives. Sinusitis commonly occurs when environmental pollens irritate the nasal passages, such as with hay fever. Sinusitis can also result from irritants, such as chemicals or the use and/or abuse of over-the-counter nasal sprays, and illegal substances that may be snorted or inhaled through the nose. About 30 million adults have âsinusitis.â Colds differ from sinusitis and are only caused by viruses and last about seven to 10 days while sinusitis may have many different causes , and usually last longer with more pronounced and variable symptoms.

How To Treat Sinus Headache If You Have Both High Blood Pressure And Are Taking Thyroid Medicine

Asked
17 Jan 2015 by Dan2525

SHEsevEN4

Mucinex Cold & Sinus, can cause or raise blood pressure, I take thyroid medicine you could take it with that, I would consult with your Doctor before taking it, there are some over the counter medâs that you can take with high blood pressure, clorcentin is one, I know I didnât spell that right, you could also call the drugstore and ask them Iâm sure they would know what would be best for you to take.

+0yellowlabs

Ask your doc or pharmacist about taking Claritin â itâs okay for HBP, but Iâm not sure about the thyroid.

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Ear Infection Or Sinus Infection Treating Your Symptoms Quickly

By raphael, January 2, 2019

Sometimes its hard to know whether you are experiencing an ear infection or a sinus infection because of the similarities in symptoms. Both diagnoses involve significant pressure or pain in the head/neck area and both infections may trigger a fever response in your body.

So, why is it important to know whether youre suffering from a sinus infection or an ear infection? Because the treatment option selected will only be effective if you have the right diagnosis.

Heres how to decide whether youre experiencing a sinus infection or an ear infection and how your ear, nose, and throat doctor can help along the way.

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Signs And Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis

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  • If there is an infection, fever, chills, feeling poorly, or achy muscles occur.
  • Opaque or greenish-yellow nasal drainage.
  • Postnasal drainage, in which secretions drip down to the back of the throat. This can cause a cough and sometimes people have signs like coughing up yellow sputum. However, they may actually be coughing up the drainage that has dripped down from the sinuses instead of coughing up phlegm from the lungs.
  • Swollen lymph nodes may occur in the neck if an infection is present, which is no different than the swelling of lymph nodes that accompanies an acute sore throat or ear infection .

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Risks Of Sinus Infections

Though most cases of sinus infections are uncomplicated, there are some risks associated with them.

This is mainly because the walls of the sinuses are thin.

They share blood vessels and lymph drainage pathways with the eyes and other parts of the central nervous system.

Some of the rare but serious complications associated with sinus infection include:

  • Eye infection: If the sinus infection spreads to the eye, it can cause serious damage and vision difficulties.
  • Brain abscess: This is a rare but life-threatening complication that results when the infection spreads to the brain.
  • Meningitis: This is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be a very serious complication if not treated early.
  • Mucocele: This is a benign tumor that can form on the sinus wall as a result of chronic sinus infection.
  • Hyposmia: the nasal obstruction and inflammation of the olfactory nerve can cause a partial loss of smell.

Stuffy And Runny Nose

Nonallergic rhinitis occurs when blood vessels in your nose expand , filling the nasal lining with blood and fluid. There are several possible causes of this abnormal expansion of the blood vessels or inflammation in the nose. But, whatever the trigger, the result is the same swollen nasal membranes and congestion.

Many things can trigger the nasal swelling in nonallergic rhinitis some resulting in short-lived symptoms while others cause chronic problems. Nonallergic rhinitis triggers include:

Environmental or occupational irritants. Dust, smog, secondhand smoke or strong odors, such as perfumes, can trigger nonallergic rhinitis. Chemical fumes, such as those you might be exposed to in certain occupations, also may be to blame.

Weather changes. Temperature or humidity changes can trigger the membranes inside your nose to swell and cause a runny or stuffy nose.

Infections. A common cause of nonallergic rhinitis is a viral infection a cold or the flu, for example. This type of nonallergic rhinitis usually clears up after a few weeks, but can cause lingering mucus in the throat . Sometimes, this type of rhinitis can become chronic, causing ongoing discolored nasal discharge, facial pain and pressure .

Foods and beverages. Nonallergic rhinitis may occur when you eat, especially when eating hot or spicy foods. Drinking alcoholic beverages also may cause the membranes inside your nose to swell, leading to nasal congestion.

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Help For Sinus When I Have High Blood Pressure

Many people suffer from sinus trouble, whether it is a temporary sinus problem or chronic sinusitis. Sinus congestion can cause breathing difficulties, and the extreme congestion leads to sinus headache. Prolonged sinus congestion can lead to sinus infections. There are treatments for congested sinuses, but if you have high blood pressure you must be careful about which treatments you use, as some may actually raise blood pressure.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Treatments For Sinus Infections Other Than Antibiotics

How to Use the VA Naloxone Nasal Spray
#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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Sinusitis In The Real World

How effective are antibiotics for patients diagnosed not by sinus x-rays or CTs, but by signs and symptomsas we typically do in daily practice?

A meta-analysis3 of 13 randomized controlled trials found that sinusitis improved without antibiotics, but it included trials in which patients were recruited based on results of imaging studies and cultures, which are not normally used in primary care clinical practice. That study compared antibiotic treatment to placebo for acute uncomplicated sinusitis 35% of placebo-treated patients were clinically cured by 7 to 12 days and 73% were improved after 7 days. Antibiotic therapy increased cure rates by 15% and improvement rates by 14%, yielding a number needed to treat of 7 to achieve 1 additional positive outcome at 7 days.

How Long Does A Take For A Sinus Headache To Go Away

  • Acute sinusitis typically lasts less than eight weeks or occurs no more than three times per year with each episode lasting no longer than 10 days. Medications are generally effective against acute sinusitis. Successful treatment counteracts damage done to the mucous lining of the sinuses and surrounding bone of the skull.
  • Chronic or recurring sinusitis lasts longer than eight weeks or occurs more than four times per year, with symptoms usually lasting more than 20 days.

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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.

Why Do We Suffer From Nasal And Sinus Discomfort

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The bodys nasal and sinus membranes have similar responses to viruses, allergic insults and common bacterial infections. Membranes become swollen and congested. This congestion causes pain and pressure mucus production increases during inflammation, resulting in a drippy, runny nose. These secretions may thicken over time, may slow in their drainage, and may predispose to future bacterial infection of the sinuses.

Congestion of the nasal membranes may even block the eustachian tube leading to the ear, resulting in a feeling of blockage in the ear or fluid behind the eardrum. Additionally, nasal airway congestion causes the individual to breathe through the mouth.

Each year, more than 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, which typically includes nasal congestion, thick yellow-green nasal discharge, facial pain and pressure. Many do not understand the nature of their illness or what produces their symptoms. Consequently, before visiting a physician, they seek relief for their nasal and sinus discomfort by taking non-prescription or over-the-counter medications.

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Sinus medications for acute viral sinusitis typically focus on reducing sinus and nose inflammation and keeping the drainage pathways open and properly functioning. Medications are commonly recommended to help decrease the severity and duration of symptoms, and may include:

such as Afrin help to treat swelling but shouldnt be used for more than 3 days.

such as Sudafed help to relieve sinus pain and pressure but should only be used for a short time.

Eye Drops suchas Olopatadine treat red, itchy eyes.

Nasal Antihistamines such as Azelastine help treat allergy symptoms.

Nasal Corticosteroids such as Flonase help with nasal congestion.

Nasal Irrigations such as a Neti pot help to flush your sinuses and help loosen thick mucus.

Oral Antihistamines such as Claritin or Allegra help treat allergy symptoms.

Oral Steroids such as Prednisone treat both acute and chronic sinusitis.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers such as Motrin help to relieve pain and aches.

Over-the-Counter Cold Medicines such as Mucinex help to relieve cold symptomsloosen phlegm and bronchial secretionsbut check with your doctor first, as some of these medications may make your symptoms worse.

Saline Nasal Sprays such as Ocean or Ayr help to clean out your nasal passages and help clear congestion.

Of course, each of these medications has its advantages and disadvantages , which your doctor will discuss with you.

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