Keeping Kidneys Safe: Smart Choices About Medicines
On this page:
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
Which Medications Help Drain The Sinuses
Home remedies that open and hydrate the sinuses may promote drainage. Please refer to home remedies for information about how to:
- Increase daily fluids
- Take expectorants and pain relievers
- Irrigate the sinuses with saline
If environmental allergies cause sinusitis, antihistamines may help reduce swelling of the mucous membranes. Allergens stimulate white blood cells in the blood and tissues to release histamine into the circulation, which causes nasal congestion.
- Some of the older sedating OTC antihistamines are no longer recommended because they tend to dry out and thicken the mucus, making drainage more difficult.
- Non-sedating antihistamines such as fexofenadine , cetirizine , levocetirizine , loratadine , or desloratadine do not seem to dry out the mucosa. If nasal congestion is severe, a decongestant can be added .
How Do I Know If I Have A Sinus Infection
Cold symptoms that last longer than 7 to 10 days or that start to get better and then get worse again may be a sign of a sinus infection. You may have pain in your face or pain in your upper teeth. Other symptoms include a fever, tenderness over your face, and thick green or yellow mucus in your nose.
Also Check: How To Test For Sinus Infection At Home
Ask The Doctor: Can Allergies Cause High Blood Pressure
Q. I have allergies. Could they be the reason I have high blood pressure?
A. Although allergies don’t usually directly increase blood pressure, they can contribute indirectly to high blood pressure in two very different ways.
If your allergies cause nasal congestion at night, they could interfere with your breathing when you sleep. This can promote, or worsen, the type of gasping-for-breath snoring known as sleep apnea, which can raise blood pressure. If you often wake up at night, or if your sleeping partner has noticed that you snore and sound like you choke or gasp for air every so often, talk with your doctor about being checked for sleep apnea.
Thomas Lee, M.D.
Why Is My Snot Red
Higher concentrations of blood in the nose will turn your mucus red. As with pink snot, this is usually caused by a hit to the nose, blowing too hard, or breathing in dry air. It could also be a nosebleed.
To prevent dry nasal or sinus cavities try:
- Applying Aquaphor or Vaseline to the inside of your nose
- Using a Neti pot with sterilized saltwater
- Blowing your nose gently
- Using a humidifier
Recommended Reading: Why Do Sinus Infections Happen
How Can Allergies Lead To High Blood Pressure
Allergies can have a cyclical effect that causes high blood pressure. For example, if you have seasonal allergies, you may have a constantly stuffy nose.
While a stuffy nose can be annoying, you may not see it as cause for concern. However, nasal congestion caused by allergies can lead to sleep apnea, a much more serious health concern.
This inflammation of airways during sleep can lead to high blood pressure, which can in turn worsen your sleep apnea and your nasal congestion.
Over time, high blood pressure due to untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart disease or even stroke. Learn when your allergies become a medical concern.
It Seems As If My Sinus Infection Is More Severe At Night
You thought your sinus infection was getting better. Youre sneezing less, your headache is almost gone, and your nose is less runny. But then you crawled into bed and pulled the covers on and suddenly everything seems a lot worse.
Your sinus infection does appear to be more severe at night. This isnt an unusual development for many people. But why do things get so much worse at night?
Recommended Reading: Best Cold Medicine For Sinus Congestion
What Are Risk Factors For Acute Sinusitis
Some people are more likely than others to get acute sinusitis. These include:
- People who have allergies.
- People who have structural problems with their noses or polyps, which are growths that can hang inside noses or sinus cavities.
- People who spend a great deal of time in places where infections happen, like preschools or day cares.
Sinus Infection High Blood Pressure
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
You May Like: Can I Take Sinus Medicine While Pregnant
How Long Do Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Last
Sinusitis or sinus infections usually clear up if treated early and appropriately. Aside from those who develop complications, the outlook for acute sinusitis is good. People may develop chronic sinusitis or have recurrent attacks of acute sinusitis if they have allergic or structural causes for their sinusitis.
Which Specialties Of Doctors Treat Sinus Infections And Sinusitis
- Sinusitis is often first diagnosed by a general practitioner, primary care physician, or internal medicine physician. A pediatrician may diagnose sinus infections in children.
- If sinusitis is chronic or severe, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose, and throat specialist . If your sinusitis is caused by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist.
- If you experience an emergency due to your sinusitis, go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital.
Don’t Miss: Sinus Infection Symptoms Ear Ringing
Look For Symptoms Of Infection
Early treatment and diagnosis of infection are important. Diabetic patients should be careful about any changes in their bodies that give hints of an infection. Here are some examples of the body changes that alert you about infection.
- Pain during urination
- Pain and difficulty during swallowing
- Redness or warmth at cuts
- Smelly vaginal discharge
You should be careful about these symptoms and must contact your physical health care.
Youre Not As Distracted
During the day youre normally more energetic and busier. You concentrate on the activity at hand or the movie youre watching. When you go to bed, however, all of those distractions fade away, and youre left with nothing to pay attention to except the uncomfortable drip of mucus in the back of your throat or the pounding sinus pressure beneath your eyes. This can make it feel as though your symptoms are worse but, actually, youre simply noticing them a bit more.
Possible solution: Try using a humidifier. adding moisture to the air can help relieve some of your symptoms and the sound of the humidifier can be a mental distraction.
Its important to seek out medical help if your sinus infection doesnt seem to be getting better.
Also Check: How To Clear A Clogged Ear Due To Sinus Congestion
How Can We Avoid Infection
One of the most important things that a diabetic patient can do to avoid infections is foot care.
In avoiding any minor bumps and scrapes in addition to the sock, shoes do a daily self checkup of your feet for any scrapes, cuts, blisters, sores, or any other skin problems. By giving on-time treatment, it will help to stop the infection from developing.
Skin and foot care are vital to avoid minor cuts and scrapes and dont turn into an infection that affects the bloodstream and becomes a major problem.
To avoid urinary tract infection, especially for women, takes good care of urinary hygiene to minimize infection chances. It includes proper toilet hygiene, daily emptying your bladder, ample liquid intake, and prompt urination after sex.
Fungal infection can easily be avoided by taking good vaginal care. It may include the avoidance of douches. Eating healthy foods with active cultures like yogurt containing Acidophilus helps prevent yeast infection.
High Blood Pressure Can Manifest As Other Conditions
High blood pressure can cause problems outside of the circulatory system. In the end, any damage done to blood vessels can affect organs throughout the body. Among the possible manifestations:
- Kidney failure can occur as a result of the narrowing and weakening of blood vessels in the kidneys. When this happens, it makes it harder for the kidney to function properly, leading to shut down.
- Eye damage can occur when blood vessels in the eyes burst or bleed, leading to changes in vision or even blindness.
- Mental function can also change as a result of high blood pressure. Some people have memory loss, an inability to focus, or difficulty finding words.
You May Like: What Medicine Do You Take For Sinus Infection
When To See Your Doctor
Acute viral sinusitis, which typically develops after a cold, will usually go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen might help relieve your discomfort. Nasal saline irrigation might also provide symptom relief.
Sinusitis symptoms that persist could indicate the condition is becoming chronic or a complication has developed, and medical evaluation is needed. Nasal polyps — noncancerous growths in the nose or sinuses — are a possibility and can cause periodic bloody nasal discharge. These growths are common among people with chronic sinusitis. Less commonly, cancerous growths of the nose or sinuses can cause sinusitis-like symptoms. In young children, sinusitis symptoms with bloody nasal discharge might be due to a foreign body lodged in the nose, such as a bead or a bean. A high fever in a child or an adult with sinusitis symptoms warrants a visit to the doctor.
Reviewed by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.
- Acute viral sinusitis, which typically develops after a cold, will usually go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days.
- Less commonly, cancerous growths of the nose or sinuses can cause sinusitis-like symptoms.
Types Of Sinus Infections: Chronic Vs Acute
There are four types of sinus infections. These classifications depend on the length and frequency of the infection:
- Acute sinusitis.This type of sinus infection lasts only for a short time, defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as less than 4 weeks. This short-term infection is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection .
- Subacute sinusitis. A subacute sinus infection lasts between 4 and 12 weeks .
- Recurrent acute sinusitis. An acute sinus infection is considered recurrent if the infection returns four or more times within a year, with each infection lasting 7 days or more.
- Chronic sinusitis.Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.
Many sinus infection symptoms are common in both acute and chronic forms. Seeing a doctor is the best way to learn if you have an infection, find the cause, and get treatment.
For cases of acute bacterial sinus infections, these symptoms last at least 10 days without improving, or they worsen within 10 days after seeming to improve. In this case, its important to talk with a doctor, such as a general practitioner or an ear, nose, and throat doctor , to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Learn more about the symptoms of a sinus infection below.
You May Like: Allergy Asthma And Sinus Center Warner Robins Ga
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.
Pain Or Pressure In Your Sinuses
Facial pain is a common symptom of sinusitis. You have several different sinuses above and below your eyes, as well as behind your nose. Any of these air-filled cavities can hurt when you have a sinus infection.
Inflammation and swelling can cause your sinuses to ache with dull pressure. This is because inflammation may alter the typical path of mucus from the nose to the back of the throat.
You may feel pain in:
- your forehead
- on either side of your nose
- in your upper jaws and teeth
- between your eyes
This may lead to a headache. Headaches caused by sinus infections can occur where the sinuses are or in other places.
You May Like: Does Keflex Treat Sinus Infection
How Sinus Infection And Diabetes Are Related To Each Other
In the case of infections, people with diabetes are more susceptible, and that is how sinus infection and diabetes are linked together. High blood glucose level weakens the immune system defense mechanism.
Furthermore, some issues due to diabetes, such as reduced blood flow and nerve damage, increases the chances of getting an infection.
Making Proactive Changes To Your Sleeping Environment
Do you have a blocked nose at night only? If you do, making the following adjustments in your bedroom may help alleviate your congestion.
- Keep your pets out of your bedroom, especially if you are allergic to pet dander or dust.
- If the air in your house tends to be dry, purchase a humidifier. This suggestion is especially relevant during the winter months when the air is often drier.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine before bed. Both can make you dehydrated, which can aggravate your sinuses.
- On that same note, do what you can to stay hydrated. Hydration will help you feel better overall, but it can also work to alleviate some sinus pain.
Don’t Miss: Ayurvedic Remedy For Sinus Infection
Hypertension May Have No Noticeable Signs
While having a cold can make your nose stuffy and anemia may make you weak, high blood pressure can exist for years without any noticeable symptoms. It is often only when outward symptoms appear that a person has any inkling of a problem, by which time a serious complication may have already developed, including:
- Heart attack or stroke, which occurs when high blood pressure causes the hardening and thickening of the arteries
- Aneurysm, which occurs when increased blood pressure causes your blood vessels to weaken, bulge, and rupture
- Heart failure, which can occur when the persistent pressure causes your heart muscle to thicken, making it harder and harder to pump blood until it finally stops
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.
Also Check: Spicy Food And Blood Pressure
Don’t Miss: Sinus Infection Causing Tooth Pain
You Have Successfully Subscribed
Apart from a headache, the sinus infection can even sometimes create congestion that can exist for around a week. It can result in a thick, discoloured mucus along with tooth or facial pain.
Tip: Did you know infections such as sinusitis can cause body muscle aches? Follow the tips in the article to get rid of such muscle aches.
Other Remedies For Symptom Relief
Staying hydrated can help thin mucus to ease congestion.
Drinking hot liquids such as tea and broth may help relieve your symptoms. Breathing in moist air may also help relieve the discomfort that comes with nasal congestion. Try breathing in steam from the shower, a bowl of hot water, or a mug of tea.
If your voice is hoarse, rest it by avoiding yelling, whispering, and singing.
Placing a warm compress over the inflamed area can help reduce pressure and provide relief.
damages the natural protective elements of your nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.
If you smoke, consider quitting. Ask a doctor if you need help or are interested in quitting. Quitting may help prevent future episodes of both acute and chronic sinusitis.
Wash your hands frequently, especially during cold and flu seasons, to keep your sinuses from becoming irritated or infected by viruses or bacteria on your hands.
Using a humidifier during the cooler, dryer months may also help prevent sinus infections.
Talk with a doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. If youre allergic to something that causes persistent sinus symptoms, you will likely need to treat your allergies to relieve your sinus infection.
You may need to seek an allergy specialist to determine the cause of the allergy. The specialist may suggest:
- avoiding the allergen
- doing allergic immunotherapy
Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis.
Recommended Reading: Can I Get Flu Shot If I Have Sinus Infection