Thursday, March 28, 2024

Runny Nose And Sinus Congestion

How Do I Get Rid Of My Runny Nose What Medicines Should I Try

ClariFix to Treat Chronic Runny Nose and Congestion

Prescription medicines, such as antibiotics are not needed to treat a runny nose, which usually gets better on its own. Sometimes, an over-the-counter decongestant medicine may help adults, but might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other medications. Check with your healthcare provider to see what over-the-counter medicines are appropriate for you.

Typically, the best treatment for a runny nose includes:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
  • Use a saline nasal spray to help relieve symptoms. Limit the use of decongestant nasal sprays to no longer than a few days, as instructed on package labels.
  • A cool-mist humidifier at your bedside can combat congestion worsened by dry winter air.

Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, dont give over-the-counter cold medicines to a child under age four.

What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home

Here are the top 10 at-hometreatments to help ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.

  • Flush. Use a Neti pot, a therapy that uses a salt and water solution, to flush your nasal passages. Nasal irrigation using the Neti pot has been a tried-and-true sinus treatment method for centuries. I have patients who swear by Neti pots and use them daily or weekly to keep their sinuses flowing well. Remember to use distilled water only.
  • Spray. Use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray that contains salt water to help keep your nasal passages moist, unblock congestion and treat inflammation. Some sprays, like Afrin®, can only be used for a maximum of three days. If you exceed three days, you will get âreboundâ or worse nasal congestion. Other nasal sprays, like fluticasone, are more effective the longer you use them.
  • Hydrate. Drink a lot of fluidswater and/or juiceto help thin your mucus. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration.
  • Rest. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight infection and speed up recovery. While you sleep, prop yourself up with a couple of pillows. Staying elevated can help you breathe more comfortably.
  • Steam. Breathe in steam from a pot or bowl of warm water or take a hot shower. You also can place a warm, wet towel on your face, followed by a cool towel. to help ease sinus pain and open your nasal passages.
  • How Is Sinusitis Treated

    Doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat sinusitis caused by bacteria. Some doctors may recommend decongestants and antihistamines to help ease symptoms.

    Sinusitis caused by a virus usually goes away without medical treatment. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and/or warm compresses can help reduce any pain. Over-the-counter saline solution is safe and helps wash the nose and relieve many symptoms caused by allergies, viruses, and bacteria.

    Recommended Reading: Teeth Hurt During Sinus Infection

    Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Coldcalm Tablets

    Another top 3 product that treats runny noses caused by the common cold, Boiron Coldcalm tablets are homeopathic meaning they are all-natural with none of the side effects that sometimes accompany other cold or allergy products such as jitteriness or drowsiness.

    Appropriate and safe for everyone ages 3 and up, these tablets are placed under the tongue every 15 minutes for the first hour of treatment, then continued every two hours for the duration of symptoms. This rather intense schedule is the one drawback cited by most consumers, but the majority of those preferring an all-natural product felt the benefits outweighed the slight inconvenience.

    Thought the tablets have no taste, they can be dissolved in a tablespoon or two of water to make dosing easier for children. Coldcalm works on a runny nose as well as on other cold symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion and sore throat, making it a great all around cold medicine.

    Also Check: How Long A Sinus Infection Last

    Johns Hopkins Pediatric Otolaryngology

    NatraBio Sinus Relief Homeopathic Formula

    Our pediatric otolaryngologists are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for children with ear, nose, and throat conditions. As part of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, you have access to all the specialized resources of a children’s hospital. Your child will also benefit from experts who use advanced techniques to treat both common and rare conditions.

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    What Treatment Is Recommended For A Runny Nose Due To An Allergy

    • Stay indoors when the pollen count is high, usually in the early morning and on windy days.
    • Keep windows closed during allergy season, and use air conditioning whenever possible.
    • Wear a dust mask if working outdoors. Change clothing and take a shower right away after coming indoors.
    • Avoid contact with cats and dogs if you are sensitive to animal dander.

    Also, there are many safe and effective over-the-counter medications available to help control allergy symptoms, such as nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines. If the symptoms are severe, your healthcare provider may recommend prescription medications, or refer you to an allergist for testing and targeted therapy.

    When To Talk With A Doctor

    Recurring headaches and suspected acute sinusitis should always be evaluated by a doctor. Experts believe that most people who self-diagnose sinusitis are actually experiencing migraines. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment.

    Sinus pain and pressure that doesnt improve after 7 days despite treatment could mean that youre being treated for the wrong condition, especially if you dont experience other sinus symptoms.

    You should also see your doctor if your headaches are accompanied by symptoms typically experienced with migraine attacks.

    You dont have to be experiencing sharp head pain in order to have a migraine. Accompanying nausea, vision changes, and light sensitivity could mean you have a migraine, and not a sinus headache.

    For migraine treatment, you can start with your primary care physician, and if needed you may be referred to a headache specialist, possibly a neurologist or ear, nose, and throat doctor.

    Read Also: Best Sinus Head Cold Medicine

    Understand The Workings Of Allergy Meds

    Antihistamines like Allegra and Claritin for instance as well as Zyrtec are marked with a D such as in Allegra-D. This tells you that it is an antihistamine with a decongestant which is known as pseudoephedrine.

    In the United States, these drugs have to be bought from a pharmacist with a government ID. Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin are all antihistamines, they all have different active ingredients but they all belong to the same family of drugs. Theyre non-sedating and very effective.

    There are low-cost allergy generics available in various formulations tablet form, liquid form, and chewables all available without a prescription.

    You cant really answer this question, which is the best allergy med? An allergist and professor, Dr Ein, gives advice on the matter, saying its the one that gives YOU the greatest relief with the fewest side effects at the lowest price. If one antihistamine isnt working for you, try another one.

    How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed

    RhinAer to Treat Chronic Runny Nose and Congestion

    Your healthcare provider will ask you a lot of questions in order to develop a detailed medical history and find out about your symptoms. They will also do a physical examination. During the exam, your care provider will check your ears, nose and throat for any swelling, draining or blockage. An endoscope may be used to look inside the nose. In some cases, you might be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist. If you needed an imaging exam, your provider would order a computed tomography scan.

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    Runny Nose Vs Stuffy Nose

    A runny nose and a stuffy nose arent the same, though its easy to confuse the two terms. Heres how theyre different:

    • Rhinorrhea : Also called nasal drip, rhinorrhea causes clear or colored mucus to leak out of your nose. With rhinorrhea, youre probably reaching for the tissues, but you can usually breathe clearly through your nose, says Dr. Sindwani.
    • Nasal congestion or nasal obstruction : If you have nasal congestion, its harder to breathe out of one or both sides of your nose. You may snore at night or feel like your nose is plugged. A stuffy nose may, or may not, come along with a runny nose. Many colds cause both rhinorrhea and congestion, notes Dr. Sindwani. But a blockage or swelling inside your nose might cause nasal congestion alone, without any mucus.

    Common causes of nasal congestion without the dripping include:

    • Deviated septum: With a deviated septum, the cartilage and bone inside of your nose are off-center. The septum may block part of the airflow in your nose.
    • Enlarged or swollen turbinates: Turbinates are thin, bony structures inside of your nose. Your turbinates may interfere with nose breathing if they swell after a bad cold, sinus infection or allergies.

    How To Relieve Sinus Pain And Pressure

    If your sinus pain is causing you frustration, you will want to find relief as quickly as possible while you recover. Below are several sinus treatments that may help you feel more at ease:5, 6, 7

    • Nasal irrigation: If you can still breathe out of your nose, try flushing the mucus with saline water to rid your nasal passage of bacteria. Using saline drops can also keep your nostrils moist and prevent mucus from sticking.
    • Nasal Spray: Try a nasal spray that uses saltwater to moisten the nasal passageways and thin mucus.
    • Over-the-counter Decongestant: breathing can be a challenge when you are feeling congested. Try TYLENOL® Sinus Pressure and Pain to help alleviate some of your toughest sinus symptoms such as sinus pain, nasal congestion, and headaches.
    • Rest: rest is crucial to your bodys healing process
    • Hydrate: Water will help flush out toxins from your body and thin your mucus. Avoid alcohol or caffeine, which cause dehydration.

    If your symptoms persist or you are still unsure on how to relieve your sinus pain and pressure, consult your doctor for treatments and medications.

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    Vicks Vapoinhaler Portable Nasal Inhaler 2 Count

    NatraBio Cold &  Sinus Nasal Spray
    • Provides allergy medicine for sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes and cold symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.
    • Works when you need it most with an allergy medicine in small, convenient antihistamine tablets that put your allergies to rest.
    • 100-count pack of benadryl ultratabs antihistamine allergy relief tablets each containing 25 mg of the antihistamine diphenhydramine hcl for allergy relief that works when you need it most.
    • Active ingredient, diphenhydramine hcl, provides relief for hay fever or other upper respiratory allergy symptoms and cold symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.
    • Allergy medicine tablets for multi-symptom allergy relief intended to be used by adults and children ages six and up for relief of both indoor and outdoor allergies.

    Read Also: What Is The Best Natural Antibiotic For Sinus Infection

    How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Nasal Congestion

    Healthcare providers diagnose nasal congestion by evaluating your symptoms and checking your nose, ears and throat. They may do more tests to rule out other potential causes such as:

    • Throat culture: This test checks for specific bacteria in your throat. Providers do this test by swiping the back of your throat with a long cotton swab.
    • Computed tomography scan: Your provider may order a CT scan to look for obstructions in your nose.
    • Nasal endoscopy: Your provider may use a special camera to look inside your nose.

    Runny Nose And Postnasal Drip

    When you have a sinus infection, you may need to blow your nose often because of nasal discharge, which can be cloudy, green, or yellow. This discharge comes from your infected sinuses and drains into your nasal passages.

    The discharge may also bypass your nose and drain down the back of your throat. You may feel a tickle, an itch, or even a sore throat.

    This is called postnasal drip, and it may cause you to cough at night when youre lying down to sleep, and in the morning after getting up. It may also cause your voice to sound hoarse.

    Recommended Reading: What Medicine For Sinus Congestion

    If Sinus Treatment Is Ineffective

    When these treatments prove ineffective, your best bet may be surgery.

    There are two common surgical sinus procedures the type recommended for you will depend upon the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you have any structural issues that are contributing to your problems.

    Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, or FESS, involves insertion of a thin, flexible tool outfitted with a tiny camera lens into your nasal passages.

    Images are transmitted to your surgeon, who will remove any blockages that are causing obstruction.

    Balloon Sinuplasty is a less-invasive procedure that doesnt require cutting or removal of tissue or bone.

    A catheter with an affixed balloon is guided into the nasal cavity and gently inflated.

    This widens the cavity and allows accumulated fluids to drain.

    If allergies have got you down this spring and medications arent providing relief, contact your Salem ENT doctor for an appointment.

    Theyll be able to provide you with a firm diagnosis and a treatment solution to ease your suffering.

    About South Florida Sinus & Allergy Center

    How To Treat Runny Nose, Nasal Congestion & Cough In Babies

    South Florida Sinus and Allergy Center provides comprehensive testing and treatment of sinus and nasal allergies, as well as sleep and snoring-related conditions. Its team of medical specialists stays on the cutting-edge of technology and technique to consistently provide long-term sinonasal, sleep and snoring relief through individualized care. The Centers treat many patients seeking second and third opinions as well as those who have undergone past unsuccessful treatments. For additional information go to www.southfloridasinusandallergy.com

    Read Also: Over The Counter Sinus Infection Medication

    How To Tell The Difference Between Covid

    Allergy and sinus symptoms can be similar to COVID-19 symptoms. An otolaryngologist explains how to tell them apart and when you should seek treatment.

    Allergy season has become more complicated since the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have allergies or sinus problems, you may not be sure how to tell the difference between those symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms. Jessica Southwood, MD, otolaryngologist, offers expert guidance to help you better understand these three conditions.

    Since sinus and allergy symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms can seem similar and have some overlap, it is important to familiarize yourself with the differences. That way, you and your provider can manage your health care appropriately.

    How Does Your Nose Work To Protect Your Body

    Your breathing process starts in your nose. Air gets into your lungs through your nose. It helps filter, humidify, warm or cool the air that comes through it so that the air that gets to your lungs is clean.

    A special lining of mucosa, or a moist tissue, covers the area inside your nose and consists of many mucus-producing glands. As bacteria, allergens, dust or other harmful particles come into the nose, the mucus traps them. Mucus contains antibodies, or enzymes, which kill unwanted bacteria and viruses.

    The mucosa lining also includes cilia, tiny hair-like structures. The cilia are continually in motion and move the collected harmful particles and the mucus that they are trapped in through your nose into the back of your throat. Its then swallowed and destroyed by the acid in your stomach. Mucus and particles can also be coughed up or sneezed out.

    When outdoor temperatures turn cold, the pace of this process slows down. Many times, the mucus stays in your nose and then drips or dribbles out.

    Read Also: What Relieves Sinus Pain And Pressure

    Which Points Target The Sinuses

    There are hundreds of acupuncture points across your body. If you try acupuncture, the acupuncturist will take a detailed history of your symptoms before deciding what acupuncture points to use.

    Keep in mind that certain points are linked to multiple uses, and not all practitioners use the same points.

    Some common acupuncture points used to treat sinus issues or allergic rhinitis include:

    National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health .

    But if acupuncture isnt performed correctly or needles arent sterile, you may be at risk for serious side effects. Licensed acupuncturists in the United States must use disposable needles, so receiving acupuncture from a licensed professional should minimize your risk of complications.

    Some people do experience mild side effects after an acupuncture, session, including:

    • pain or tenderness around the involved areas

    Its also best to avoid acupuncture if you:

    • are pregnant, as some points can induce labor
    • have a pacemaker, which could be affected by the mild electric pulse thats sometimes used with acupuncture needles
    • take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder

    What Is Congestion Runny Or Stuffed Nose

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  • A stuffy nose is a term often used to refer to a blockage to the flow of air in and out of the nose, while a runny nose refers to a discharge from the nasal passages. It is often a watery, clear liquid, but can be thicker and viscous. A stuffy and runny nose is associated with inflammation and congestion of the inner lining of the nasal passages and sinuses. Rhinitis is a term that refers to inflammation of the nasal tract, and rhinorrhea is the medical term for a runny nose. A stuffy or runny nose is mostly caused by viral infections, but allergies, the flu, other viral infections like respiratory syncytial virus , and sinus infections can also cause a stuffy or runny nose. Post-nasal drip may be an associated symptom. This happens when there is excessive production of mucus by the cells of the lining of the nose which collects in the back of the nose or throat.
  • Less commonly, anatomical obstructions can lead to nasal congestion. Other causes of a stuffy or runny nose include environmental factors, such as eating spicy foods or exposure to smoke, hormonal changes, and certain medications. Rarely, nasal passages or chronic medical conditions can be the cause of a stuffy or runny nose.
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