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What Over The Counter Medication Is Good For Sinus Infection

Why Is There A Warning About Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Or Diabetes

OTC Sinus Meds

ContacÃî Cold + Flu advises patients suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure and/or diabetes to consult with their doctor before using Contac. Decongestants in cold medicines decrease the size of enlarged blood vessels in nasal passages, but they can also affect blood vessels in the rest of your body and raise blood pressure. For most people, this increase isnât significant. However, some people can have exaggerated responses to decongestants, contributing to dangerously high blood pressures. As stated on the label, check with your doctor before using Contac Cold + Flu if you have liver disease, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland , or a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Frequently Asked QuestionsContinue reading > >

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How Is A Sinus Headache Diagnosed

  • Usually, a careful history and physical examination can establish the diagnosis of a sinus headache. Blood tests are usually not necessary.
  • In some cases, the healthcare professional may order a CT scan to obtain images of the sinuses, but this is not common. A negative CT scan and examination can help rule out sinus disease.
  • Other causes of headaches, including migraines, may initially present with symptoms thought to be from sinus inflammation.

What Is Sinus Infection

Sinusitis, also called sinus infection, is caused by inflammation or swelling of the sinuses, which are located behind the eyes, nose and cheeks. This inflammation can lead to pressure in those areas and persistent headaches. Symptoms of sinusitis often mimic those of the common cold and can include mucus buildup, nasal congestion, bad breath, cough and sore throat.

Acute sinusitis is typically shorter than eight weeks in duration and recurs no more than three times per year, with each occurrence lasting no longer than ten days. Acute cases generally respond well to the best sinus medicine your doctor prescribes. In contrast, chronic sinus infections persist longer than eight weeks and can recur more than four times in one year. Symptoms can last longer than twenty days. Long-term, chronic sinusitis is the most common type.

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Nasal Saline Sprays: Non

Nasal saline is an invaluable addition to the list of over-the-counter medications. It is ideal for all types of nasal problems. The added moisture produced by the saline reduces thick secretions and assists in the removal of infectious agents. There is no risk of becoming addicted to nasal saline. It should be applied as a mist to the nose up to six times per day. Nasal saline can also be made at home: contact your otolaryngologist for details.

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Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Mist

10 Best Medicines for Sinus Pressure 2020

Nasal saline is a solid day-to-day way to clear out your sinuses and can be used as often as five to six times per day when youre feeling the brunt of sinus pain and congestion, says Dr. Zalvan.

This is portable, preservative-free, sterile, and most importantly, aerosolized, allowing for deeper access to the sinuses, he says.

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Coricidin And Benadryl: Alternatives That Wont Affect Blood Pressure

If youre looking for a safe cold medicine for high blood pressure, consider Coricidin. Coricidin is an over-the-counter multi-symptom product marketed specifically for patients with high blood pressure. It comes in many varieties and contains different active ingredients that target coughs, colds, chest congestion and allergies.

For runny nose, drainage, or allergy symptoms, you may want to consider diphenhydramine, marketed under the brand name Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that will help keep your sinuses clear. Drowsiness is a common side effect of this medication, so it is best taken at bedtime. For non-drowsy antihistamines, consider Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra.

Guaifenesin, the active ingredient in Mucinex, is an expectorant that helps you cough up mucus when congested. This medication is also safe to use if you have high blood pressure.

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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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Coricidin D Cold/flu/sinus

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • Not able to sleep.
  • Feeling sleepy.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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Dry Air Drying You Out Just Add Water

Over-the-Counter Device For Sinus Care: Could It Work For Migraine?

Another potential remedy for a stuffy nose is salt water, which eases congestion by moistening and clearing the nasal passages. Dry air can increase mucus production and thicken the mucus so that it accumulates in the sinuses, explains Auth. Other irritants that buildup in nasal passages can also lead to nasal inflammation if they arent flushed out.

The nose loves salt water, says Seidman. A home remedy I tell people about is to mix 1 quart of sterilized water, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon , and then run it up your nose.

Neti pots are nasal rinsing devices that have been around for thousands of years. While theyâre generally considered safe, the FDA cautions that they must be used and cleaned properly to avoid the risk of infection. The FDA recommends using purchased distilled or sterile water, boiled and cooled tap water, or water passed through one of its recommended filters in any of these devices to reduce the risk of infection.

Engle says saline nasal sprays are a convenient option to moisten and help drain a stuffy nose because the contents are premixed and sterile, which reduces the potential for infection if used properly. For people squeamish about rinsing out their nose, experts say simply moistening the air around you can help.

A humidifier is a good thing for young children and people who dont want to use drugs, says Engle. Cool mist humidifiers are recommended in childrens bedrooms to reduce the risk of burns from warm mist versions.

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Related Resources For Sinus Infections

* Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.

Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

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.

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The Effects Of Decongestants On High Blood Pressure

Know the risks

According to the CDC guidelines, nearly half of the U.S. adult population has high blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure, you should know that decongestants may raise your blood pressure and may interfere with the medications you take.

What is the impact of decongestant medicines on blood pressure?

Many over-the-counter cold medicines contain a decongestant that can affect your blood pressure. This can be concerning for people who already have a high blood pressure level.

Why should high blood pressure sufferers consider cold medicines without decongestants?

If you have high blood pressure, its important you choose a cold medicine thats decongestant-free like Coricidin® HBP. It effectively treats cold and flu symptoms without raising your blood pressure.

Can decongestants affect the efficacy of my blood pressure medication?

Yes. Taking decongestants during a cold may interfere with the effectiveness of your blood pressure medications. Its important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications.

Neti Pot Beats Steam For Sinus Congestion Relief

Top 10 Best Tablets for Sinus/Sinusitis 2021

Rinsing nasal passages with saline solution may improve symptoms, study says

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, July 18, 2016 â Inhaling steam probably wonât open your chronically clogged sinuses. But nasal irrigation may bring some relief, a new study finds.

âPeople with chronic and recurrent sinusitis have poor quality of life, similar to having a major chronic disease,â said lead study author Dr. Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton in England.

âIt is very nice to be able to provide something really simple that empowers people to manage this problem, helps them with their symptoms, reduces the need to take over-the-counter medications, and makes them less likely to want to see the doctor in future attacks,â he said.

More than 29 million American adults were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2014, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavities often caused by a virus, allergy, bacteria, fungus, or possibly an autoimmune reaction.

For those with chronic sinusitis, doctors often recommend steam inhalation or nasal irrigationâ rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution.

The steam treatment group was asked to inhale steam for five minutes every day. They were directed to place a towel over their head and stand over a bowl of recently boiled water.

The results arenât surprising, one doctor said.

The study was published July 18 in CMAJ.

Show Sources

CMAJ

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Best Otc Sinus Medicines

Since sinus problems have different causes, itâs important to accurately assess your symptoms before buying over-the-counter medications. If you have a cold or seasonal allergies, OTC medications will usually work well. However, if you experience sinus pain, tooth pain, fever, or if your sinus congestion lingers longer than ten days, see your doctor. Antibiotics may be prescribed for sinusitis caused by bacteria.

Antibiotics cannot be used to treat a sinus infection caused by a virus, however. Nevertheless, OTC medications, like decongestants, expectorants, analgesics and antihistamines, can relieve certain symptoms but the functions of each medication are different.

1. Decongestants

The importance of choosing the right decongestant cannot be overstated. The following information will help you understand these remedies and what will work best for you.

2. Expectorants

Here comes another best sinus medicine. Expectorants work best on sinus infections where congestion has settled in the chest or throat and causes coughing. Expectorants work to thin the mucus. The sinusitis sufferer then can eliminate the thinned mucus through coughing, leading to faster relief of congestion.

3. Pain Relievers

If pain and pressure caused by sinus infection are major complaints, anti-inflammatory pain-relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be your best option. An additional benefit: These medications may also reduce or eliminate fever.

4. Antihistamines

When To Seek Medical Care

See a doctor if you have:

  • Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
  • Symptoms that get worse after initially improving.
  • Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement.
  • Fever longer than 3-4 days.

You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.

Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:

  • Seasonal allergies

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What Is The Best Medication For A Sinus Infection

The best medication for sinus infection treatment is determined by your doctor and varies by case. Below, you can see a comparison of the most common sinus infection medications to learn what to expect.

Best medications for sinus infections
Drug name
Expectorant Oral 1, 1200 mg tablet every 12 hours no more than 2 tablets in 24 hours do not chew or crush. Take with a full glass of water. Headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness

Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.

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Ear & Sinus Problems : Remedies for a Sinus Infection

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Is There A Way To Determine If You Have Sinusitis Or Covid

Typically, the loss of sense of smell associated with a sinus infection is going to be accompanied by more significant symptoms such as facial pain/pressure. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. Because symptoms can overlap, I recommend discussing your condition with your physician and/or getting tested if you think youve got COVID-19. If you get a COVID-19 test, remember to mask up and stay away from others until you get your test results. Its always better to be safe than sorry.

What Allergy Medicines Can I Take If I Have High Blood Pressure

Although some allergy medicines affect your blood pressure or interact with your blood pressure medication, safe options for treating your allergy symptoms exist if you have high blood pressure.

Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are generally safe to use if you are not taking the blood pressure medicines listed in the drug interaction section above. Second-generation antihistamines include the following:

If your symptoms include nasal congestion, the following options are generally safe to use as decongestants:

  • steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase , Nasacort , and Rhinocort
  • antihistamine nasal sprays, such as Astelin and Patanase
  • saline nasal sprays or rinses, such as Ayr, Ocean, Simply Saline, or Neti Pot

Antihistamine eye drops, such as Pataday and Zaditor , are safe options for itchy watery eyes.

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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.

Sudafed Pe Sinus Pressure + Pain Relief Maximum Strength Non

Mucinex D Expectorant and Nasal Decongestant

as of February 2, 2022 12:41 pm

Features

  • 24-count box of Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain Relief Maximum Strength Non-Drowsy Decongestant Tablets provide powerful relief of sinus pain, sinus pressure, nasal congestion and headaches
  • Each caplet contains 5 milligrams of the decongestant phenylephrine HCl and 325 milligrams of acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer
  • This sinus congestion & pain medicine also temporarily relieves nasal congestion associated with hay fever, upper respiratory allergies and the common cold
  • The non-drowsy decongestant helps promotes sinus drainage, temporarily reduces fever and helps relieve headaches and minor aches and pain
  • From the #1 pharmacist recommended brand among oral OTC decongestants, this maximum strength formula can be used by adults and children 12 years and older for powerful symptom relief

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