Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Why Am I Always Getting Sinus Infections

Routines To Avoid Getting Sinus Infections

Why You Keep Getting Sinus Infections, Colds, Urinary Tract Infections, & Other Recurrent Infections

Avoid over-exposure to household products

There are avoidance routines that you can carry out that may help prevent another sinus infection from reoccurring. Always try to avoid contact with cigarette and cigar smoke from people around you. Another way is avoiding common household products, like hairspray and cleaning products that give off fumes or strong odors. Fumes are known to be irritants to your sinuses and can make your sinus problems worse. You can also avoid exposure to very dry environments. If possible, try to avoid mass transportation, by bus, train and air. When traveling an enclosed area with many people, bacteria and viruses commonly spread and dry air increases the rate they enter your nose. Air travel can also cause significant pressure and blockage to your sinuses. Avoid extended periods of swimming pools with chlorine and activities such as diving if you are prone to sinusitis. Chlorine in the nose irritates the lining of the sinuses and nose. Diving may force water into the sinuses from the nasal passageways. These are some or the ways you can avoid the recurrence of sinus infections or from having the worsening of existing infections.

A Previous Nasal Fracture

Nasal bones are the most commonly broken bones in the body. Sometimes they heal well on their own, or they seem as if they did. Over time, you may experience signs or symptoms that the nose didnt heal as well as youd hoped. In fact, your previously fractured nose may have set in a crooked position. Or, the break may have been worse than you knew, leading to fractures deeper in the sinus cavities that didnt heal well.

Anyone who has broken their nose in the past is at higher risk for chronic sinus infections, so make sure to mention your nasal fracture history when you make an appointment with our office.

Abnormal Growths Or Other Anatomical Abnormalities

The body is a mysterious and complex series of systems. Seemingly out of nowhere, tissues can thicken, cells can excessively multiply causing tumors, or small issues that didnt cause problems in the past can begin to cause you trouble. If your nasal passages or sinus cavities experience abnormal growths of any kind, they can usually be removed through surgery. If it is a tumor or mass, we will biopsy the tissue to make sure it is not cancerous.

Most anatomical abnormalities affecting the bony or soft tissues comprising the sinus cavities can be repaired via surgery, greatly eliminating the experience of recurrent sinus issues.

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Check If You Have Sinusitis

Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

  • pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
  • a blocked nose
  • a reduced sense of smell
  • green or yellow mucus from your nose
  • a sinus headache
  • toothache
  • bad breath

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself

5 Best Home Remedies for Sinus Infection and Natural ...

You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:

  • getting plenty of rest
  • taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
  • cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion
  • Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
  • Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
  • Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day until your nose feels more comfortable.
  • You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.

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    Theres No Cancer Connection

    Dr. Roxbury says many of his patients know about the connection between colon polyps and cancer and ask whether the same is true of nasal polyps. The short answer is no.

    Nasal polyps are benign and have no ability to change into cancer. That said, its a good idea to get growths in the nose and sinuses checked out because other less common and more dangerous conditions may mimic polyps.

    Learning you have nasal polyps is the first step to finding relief.

    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.

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    Is Your Sinus Infection Acute Or Chronic

    A short-term sinus infection is often referred to as acute sinusitis. Most cases of acute sinusitis last about a week, but this type of short-term sinus infection can last up to four weeks. If you suffer from a sinus infection that lasts longer than 12 weeks despite treatment from your doctor, its considered chronic sinusitis.

    Getting Sick After Flying: How It Happens

    Your Health: Sinus Infections

    FYIWHAT ABOUT MOTION SICKNESS?

    Getting sick after traveling on a plane, train, or boat is one thing. Getting sick during travel is another. Motion sickness, though, is not uncommon it can cause such symptoms as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Read about how to treat the condition in our post Motion Sickness: If It Hits You on Long Trips, Consider These Prevention Steps.

    So why does flying on a plane increase our susceptibility to getting sick?

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    Sore Throat And Hoarse Voice

    Postnasal drip can leave you with a raw and aching throat. Although it may start as an annoying tickle, it can get worse.

    If your infection lasts for a few weeks or more, mucus can irritate and inflame your throat as it drips, resulting in a painful sore throat and hoarse voice. Frequent coughing and throat clearing can make a hoarse voice worse.

    Treatment For Sinus Infection

    Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a chronic infection, a number of treatment options can relieve your discomfort. If youre in the early stage of an acute sinus infection, it may be appropriate to start at-home treatments while you monitor your symptoms. If your sinusitis worsens, youll need to call your doctor for medication and further care. Even if youre receiving treatment from your doctor, at-home care can help ease your symptoms.

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    When To Contact A Doctor

    If you exhibit any symptoms of sinus infection for several weeks, make an appointment with your doctor or a PlushCare doctor, as soon as possible.

    You should also contact a doctor if you experience any pressure or pain in your upper face, accompanied with postnasal drip, nasal discharge, bad breath that isnât related to dental issues, or a high fever that lasts several days.

    If left untreated, your sinus infection can pose more serious health issues, including:

    • Changes to vision and potential blindness
    • Changes to the personality
    • Seizures
    • Meningitis
    • Osteomyelitis, orPottâs puffy tumor, a condition indicating an infection of the frontal bone in the forehead

    Sinus infections, particularly those caused by viruses, will generally clear up on their own.

    Treatments for other sinus infections are available and mainly center around a course of antibiotics. However, even if you have a simple acute sinus infection, you should consider consulting your doctor or visit an urgent care center for relief from any uncomfortable symptoms.

    Are Sinus Infections Viral

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    Sinusitis can occur due to a viral infection. If excess mucus develops and cannot exit the body due to a blockage or nasal inflammation, it can cause a sinus infection. You may start with a viral cold that doesnt clear up and then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies can also lead to sinus infections, as can a deviated septum. When bacteria grows in the sinuses, it is a bacterial infection.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, sinusitis is typically caused by a virus, and less commonly caused by bacteria.

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    How Do You Treat A Sinus Infection

    Treatment for acute and chronic sinus infections include self-care, over-the-counter and prescription medications, and sinus surgery, if necessary, to enlarge the opening to the sinuses or address other anatomical issues.

    Your doctor may also recommend a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications, including:

    • Antibiotics
    • Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
    • Steroid nasal sprays
    • Saline nasal irrigations

    Patients with sinusitis often go to the doctor expecting to get a prescription for an antibiotic. If you have signs of a sinus infection, talk to your doctor about whether an antibiotic is appropriate to treat the type of infection that you have. Dr. Takashima warns that we must be vigilant about not treating viral infections with antibiotics, which only work on bacterial infections, to prevent creating superbugs antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

    Reasons For Increased Congestion And Sinus Problems At Night

    Why are my sinuses worse at night? The reasons are various and interrelated, but they are far from impossible to manage. A good place to start is to ask yourself which of the following sinus-related problems or household circumstances you experience.

    Before you do, however, its worth mentioning that your sinus problems may worsen at night because youre less distracted and paying more attention to how you feel .

    While this idea may be true to some extent, paying attention doesnt cause sinus symptoms, sinus problems cause sinus symptoms its wiser to address the latter than worry about the former.

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    When Antibiotics Are In Order

    The main reason to prescribe antibiotics is for patient comfort, Dr. Sindwani says. The medical field used to be more convinced than it is today than untreated sinusitis would inevitably become a chronic issue, he says.

    We dont think that way as much, he says. We dont know that an untreated acute sinusitis, if left untreated, will grumble along and cause people to have a chronic sinus infection.

    Some people think thats two separate things, with chronic sinusitis more likely due to underlying issues like allergies or immune problems.

    Your Sinus Infection Natural Treatment

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    Obviously, you shouldnt use ALL of these remedies TOGETHER. Just choose a few of them, the most available to you, and youre set.

    A few combinations you can try are:

  • Neti Pot + Pressure Points + Oregano Oil + ACV
  • Steam Inhaling + Herbal Remedies + Cod Liver Oil
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract Nasal Spray + Peppermint EO in humidifier + Vitamin C
  • Pico de Galo + Neti Pot + Pressure Points + Cod Liver Oil
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    Throat Irritation And Cough

    As discharge from your sinuses drains down the back of your throat, it can cause irritation, especially over a long period of time. This can lead to a persistent and annoying cough, which can be worse when lying down to sleep or first thing in the morning after getting up from bed.

    It can also make sleeping difficult. Sleeping upright or with your head elevated can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.

    What Is Chronic Sinusitis

    Chronic sinusitis is persistent sinus swelling that interferes with the way your mucus drains, making it difficult to breathe through your nose. When the sinuses are chronically inflamed, they trap mucus, making your sinuses more susceptible to bacteria growth and infection.

    Chronic sinusitis can be brought on by conditions such as sinus infections, allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum.

    Does this condition sound familiar? The signs below may help you confirm that you suffer from chronic sinusitis.

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    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.

    Why Am I Getting Sinus Headaches Everyday

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    • ENT Institute

    Its devastating. World-shattering. Utterly painful.

    Sinus headaches can be crippling to anyone who has them. Theyre also often mistaken for migraines, but theres a slight difference. For instance, sinus headaches have a lot to do with sinus infections discolored mucus, pain in the face, and even a fever.

    If youre dealing with sinus headaches everyday then its likely theres something else going on. For instance, if you havent been diagnosed, you may be dealing with allergies. The first step would be getting an allergy test from a specialist. With pollen counts being so high lately, its something a lot of people will need to do to remain healthy. To learn more about allergy testing, watch the video below:

    For others though, chronic sinusitis is rather common for them. Chronic sinusitis is when a person has longer lasting sinus infections four or more times a year. You might be wondering why someone would suffer that long with something like that, but in reality many dont know what kind of treatment options are out there. If youre more likely to get sinus infections or chronic sinusitis, then the Ear, Nose and Throat Institute has treatment and surgery options for sinusitis. Watch the videos below to learn more:

    But what if you cant think about surgery right now? What can you do at home right now to reduce pain and longevity? Other than the obvious pain reliever medication, heres a few tips to get you through:

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    Why Do I Keep Getting Colds Sinus And Flu

    Theres probably a bug going around in your office and everyone seemed to be either catching the flu or cold. So you may find yourself constantly being down with colds- like up to 3 times a week.

    Its inconvenient, your noses puffy and if you cannot cover your nose in time, an embarrassing mini explosion where your shocked colleagues may be forced to witness the actual stuff coming out of your nose being all over the place.

    Once, at a public speaking course, the speaker asked around the participants about their greatest fear in public speaking. When it came to my turn, as I was having puffy nose that day, I told my fear was to be speaking halfway and I sneezed so hard that some of the stuff landed on someone elses face.

    At first he was totally taken aback by my answer. Then he broke up in huge laughter because he said its the first time he heard this from anyone. But hey, for puffy nose folks, I am sure you can relate to me- because if your sinus come so often, it can be loud and explosive. And to be honest, because we had to practice coming up to speak in front of everyone, my fear is not due to being frozen with fear or forget my script- it was that my nose suddenly decided it wanted to get some mucus out without my prior consent and I was not able to cover my nose in time.

    Img Credit: http://sangrea.net/

    Well, mine didnt. And it may be true to some of you who are reading this.

    How Can I Prevent A Sinus Infection

    One of the best ways to prevent chronic sinusitis is to avoid the initial infection. Follow these tips:

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for a least 20 seconds, especially when coming into contact with commonly used surfaces. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
    • Avoid anyone with a cold, flu or other respiratory illness.
    • Stop smoking or avoid secondhand smoke.

    If you have a sinus infection, stay home, if you can. Remember to practice the following safety measure so that you avoid making others sick:

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