What Medications Do I Take To Manage The Symptoms Of Gerd
Many over-the-counter and prescription medications relieve GERD. Most of OTC drugs come in prescription strength too. Your provider will give you a prescription for these stronger drugs if youre not getting relief from the OTC formulas.
The most common GERD medications:
- Antacids include Tums®, Rolaids®, Mylanta®, Riopan® and Maalox®.
- H-2 receptor blockers include Tagamet®, Pepcid AC®, Axid AR® and Zantac®.
- Proton pump inhibitors include Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Zegerid®, Nexium®, Protonix®, AcipHex® and Dexilant®.
- Baclofen is a prescription drug used to reduce the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter which allows acid backwash.
What Can I Do
While you wait for your infection to run its course, you can take steps at home to feel better.
Look into nasal sprays. Store-bought saline nasal spray loosens up mucus, temporarily clearing it from your nasal passages. A steroid nasal spray like fluticasone may help tame inflammation, especially if you have underlying allergies. Unsure about using a steroid? Follow package directions and go to your HCP with questions.
Be wary of decongestant nasal sprays, like oxymetazoline . Using them for longer than three days could cause rebound symptoms persistent stuffiness eased only by the spray itself. Dryness and addiction are also possibilities.
Embrace sinus rinses like the neti pot. Many sinus infection veterans swear by nasal irrigation systems, such as plastic squeeze bottles or teakettle-shaped neti pots. These devices are filled with a sterile saline solution and used to flush snot from your sinuses.
Neti pots and their ilk are widely available and typically safe, as long as you handle them properly. Dont use water directly from your tap. Instead use distilled water, a sterile saline solution or water that has been boiled and then cooled.
Try over-the-counter medicines. Experts recommend analgesics including acetaminophen , ibuprofen and aspirin to ease pain, as well as decongestants like pseudoephedrine to alleviate the pressure of congestion.
Finally, you may want to avoid flying or scuba diving, since either can aggravate sinus pain.
Congestion Efficacy In Rhinosinusitis
Only one study reported the effect of an oral antihistamine on nasal congestion in patients with acute rhinosinusitis. This study demonstrated that, in patients with allergic rhinitis experiencing acute exacerbations of rhinosinusitis, loratadine significantly improved nasal obstruction compared with placebo after 28 days of treatment.
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Cleaning Inside Your Nose
You can clean the inside of your nose using either a home-made salt water solution or a solution made with sachets of ingredients bought from a pharmacy.
To make the solution at home, mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into a pint of boiled water that has been left to cool. To rinse your nose:
- wash and dry your hands
- stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it
- sniff the water into one nostril at a time
Repeat these steps until your nose feels more comfortable . You should make a fresh solution each day. Don’t re-use a solution made the day before.
Special devices you can use instead of your hand are also available for pharmacies. If you choose to use one of these, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions about using and cleaning it.
What Is A Sinus Infection
The sinuses, or sinus cavities, are hollow spaces that air flows through within the bones surrounding the nose. A sinus infection or sinusitis occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen and inflamed. Normally, your sinuses are filled with air. When sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.
How long do sinus infections last? Well, that depends on what type of sinus infection you have. Acute sinusitis can last over two weeks even with appropriate treatment. If your sinus infection lasts longer than 10 to 14 days, then youre more likely to have bacterial sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis lasts much longer at least 12 weeks! Chronic sinusitis with polyps is an inflammation of the sinuses that lasts 12 weeks or longer and is associated with having nasal polyps. Other forms of chronic sinusitis are associated with allergies or a deviated septum and also last 12 weeks or longer.
How can you tell what type of sinus infection you have? Your doctor wont be able to tell you if your sinus infection is bacterial or viral based on symptoms or an exam alone. The best way to tell the root of a sinus infection is symptom duration. If its a viral sinus infection, it should start to improve after five to seven days. On the other hand, a bacterial infection often lasts seven to 10 days or even longer and the infection can get worse after seven days.
- Fever
- Earaches
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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.
Check If You Have Acid Reflux
The main symptoms of acid reflux are:
- heartburn a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
- an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
You may also have:
- a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- a hoarse voice
Your symptoms will probably be worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over.
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How Long Does Nasal Congestion Last
How long a stuffy nose lasts depends on what is causing the sinus congestion. If, for example, the congestion is caused by a cold or the flu, it will probably endure for about as long as the illness lasts, which could be anywhere from 5 to 10 days or longer. Whereas, if a stuffy nose is the result of seasonal allergies, symptoms may last much longer and reappear with certain environmental triggers.
Other Ways To Ease Sinusitis
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids helps to flush out the virus from the body. It is essential to drink 2-3 litres of water in a day or drink at least 1 cup of water every 2 hours.
Load With Antibacterial Foods
To combat the virus, it is essential to add natural antibacterial foods like garlic, ginger, and onion to the diet regimen.
Drinking warm ginger tea with honey packs an extra boost to the body. As honey is imbued with potent antioxidants, antibacterial and antifungal activities to keep infections at bay.
Add Moisture
It is vital to keep the sinuses hydrated to alleviate pressure. Follow some of the simple tips:
At night use a humidifier in the bedroom to help alleviate night-time nasal congestion.
During the day and before bedtime use natural saline nasal sprays to help ease nasal blockages.
Take regular hot showers and breathe in the damp air or get steam inhalation twice or thrice a day.
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How To Prevent Nasal Congestion
Its almost impossible to prevent nasal congestion completely because we are always surrounded by allergens, bacteria, viruses, molds and other triggers that can cause us to become plugged up. However, by taking steps to protect ourselves, we can also limit how often we experience congestion and sinus pressure.
There Are Many Different Causes Of Sinus Congestionsome Include:
Extreme nasal congestion can even lead to sinus pain. Sinus pain is a sharp pain located behind the nose and the eyes. It can also cause earaches, toothaches, and headaches. Sinus pain is terrible, to say the least.
I suffer from sinus pain during allergy season, when the air is dry, or when I am experiencing a cold. I always try to pursue natural options before using over-the-counter medication.
Most people will reach for medicine to relieve congestion or sinus pain. However, what if there was a better and quicker option?
In the video below, you will learn a couple of methods to remove nasal congestion quickly. This is excellent for those who react poorly to medication.
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Ways To Prevent Making Your Sinus Infection Worse
If youre like most adults, your sinus infection arrived on the heels of a common cold or some other upper respiratory infection. Approximately 90 percent of acute sinus infections are caused by a virus. Although such infections tend to last only about a week, the stuffy nose, sinus pressure, headache, sore throat and general lack of energy can interfere with your life in the meantime. Youll want to manage your symptoms and steer clear of anything that might make them worse as the infection runs its course. Here are five ways you might be making your sinus infection worse, and tips on how you can avoid them to get better faster.
It turns out your mother was right: Your body needs rest when its fighting off an infection. Taking it easy during the day and getting enough sleep at night are key to giving your immune system the energy it needs to do its job. Going to work, meeting all your deadlines and keeping the same pace you did before you were sick can leave you feeling totally depleted. Worse, the stress of keeping up when you dont feel well may exacerbate your headache or sinus pressure. Allow yourself to slow down, especially in the first few days when symptoms are at their worst.
What Are Other Options For The Treatment Of Rhinitis And Post
Treatment can also be directed toward specific causes of rhinitis and post-nasal drip as outlined below.
Treatment of infection
The most common nasal infection is a viral infection known as the common cold. The virus causes swelling of the nasal membranes and production of thick clear mucus. Symptoms usually last several days. If a cold goes on for many days and is associated with yellow or green drainage, a secondary bacterial infection is suspected. Very few patients with a common cold from a virus will go on to have acute bacterial rhinosinusitis from sinus blockage and impaired sinus function. Sinus blockage can lead to acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis , which can be characterized by nasal congestion, thick mucus, and facial or dental pain. From 4 to 12 weeks, the symptoms are classified as subacute sinusitis or recurrent acute sinusitis.
Symptomatic treatment often involves pain relief, decongestants, mucous thinning medications, saline rinses, and antihistamine therapy.
Reflux Medications
For rhinitis that is a result of acid reflux disease, antacids can help to neutralize acid contents, whereas other medications such as cimetidine , famotidine , omeprazole , esomeprazole can decrease stomach acid production. Non-pharmacological treatments include avoiding late evening meals and snacks and eliminating alcohol and caffeine. Elevating the head of the bed may help decrease reflux during sleep.
Surgery
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Can I Use Sudafed Or Mucinex While Pregnant
Consult with your healthcare provider before taking any medication during pregnancy. Generally, Sudafed cannot be taken in the first trimester but can be taken occasionally during the second and third trimester provided you do not have heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.
Sudafed-PE is not recommended in pregnancy.
Mucinex can usually be used safely in pregnancy. Again, be sure to check with your doctor before using Sudafed or Mucinex while pregnant.
Things To Take Into Consideration
As you compare and contrast your options, it is clear that sinus pressure medicines can be vastly different from each other: this is because different people react differently to certain formulations, so pharmaceutical companies have developed various options to address each persons experience effectively.
Depending on your own bodys needs, as well as your personal preferences, it may be ideal to choose one option over another. Choose the best medicine for sinus pressure by remembering these main considerations when you step into the store.
- Treatment Form. Sinus pressure is the result of an accumulation of mucus, which commonly occurs as a cause of a viral or bacterial infection. Most of the treatments you will find for sinus pressure are geared towards resolving the symptom only and dont actually address the infection that initially caused the problem. Regardless, these products are highly effective at providing temporary relief of sinus congestion discomfort.
Most commonly, sinus pressure remedies come in three forms:
- Pills. Ideal for people on the go, capsules, and tablets are the slowest acting remedy. Despite this, however, they offer the longest-lasting results. Some pills target more than just sinus congestion, making them an effective remedy for holistic relief. Whats more, pills are also a convenient option for people on the go as theyre fairly easy to take.
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What Is Acetaminophen And Why We Eliminate It Too
It can be unbearable to suffer from allergic symptoms, and it is natural to want to relieve yourself of pain and fever. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever, used for treating many conditions such as sinus, headache, backache, toothache and fever. It comes with side effects:
- Swelling of the tongue or lips
- Nausea
- Difficulty with breathing
- Serious skin reactions. Between 1969 and 2012, the Food and Drug Administration found that 67 people required hospitalization of which 12 died after skin reactions were reported after taking acetaminophen products. This comes from documented medical literature. One of the skin reactions linked to acetaminophen included Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis . You start with flu-like symptoms such as headache, aches and fever and progress to a blister-like rash. The skin starts peeling and the hair starts falling out. This skin reaction is often fatal.
There are different brands and forms of acetaminophen available, but all labeling warns you not to take more than is recommended. It can damage your liver, more so if you drink alcohol with it.
What Do Antihistamines Do For Sinusitis
It is beneficial for patients with allergies and acute sinusitis to use antihistamines to reduce ostiomeatal obstruction however, they should not be used on a routine basis for patients with acute sinusitis. The thickening and pooling of sinonasal secretions may complicate drainage when using antihistamines.
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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
- 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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Treating Gerd Eases Sinus Problems And Doctors Are Starting To Find Out Why
THURSDAY, May 27, 2004 â Specialists treating acid reflux disease or chronic sinusitis have long noticed the two ailments tend to go hand-in-hand.
Now, scientists believe they are reaching a better understanding of the link between troubled stomachs and stuffy noses.
Acid reflux disease âis probably not the cause of sinusitis, but it may be participating in some cases,â said Dr. Timothy Smith, a professor of otolaryngology and chief of rhinology and sinus surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Sinus specialists see the two conditions âintersecting fairly consistently in clinical practice,â he added.
Millions of Americans suffer from heartburn and discomfort linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease , a condition characterized by frequent entry into the esophagus of harsh stomach acids. Besides being uncomfortable, GERD raises risks for more serious conditions, such as esophagitis, Barrettâs esophagus and even esophageal cancer.
An estimated 34 million Americans also suffer from chronic sinusitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the nasal passages. The inflammation shrinks the passages so mucus canât drain properly, causing the discomfort and infection that are hallmarks of sinusitis.
And a large proportion of sinus patients are also affected by acid reflux. However, connections between the two ailments have remained unclear.
More information
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