Sinus Information

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Effective Sinus Infection Treatment - 13 Feb 2014 15:28

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Home care can alleviate the dryness of the sinuses and open the breathing passageways, and may be all that are required for milder acute cases. Chronic sinusitis is more serious, and must be treated by your physician.

Promoting proper drainage of the sinuses:
Getting the sinuses to drain effectively is vital to effective sinus infection treatment. Be sure to drink lots of water or tea each day.
Inhale steam several times each day. Use a steam vaporizer if you have one, or in its absence a pot of steaming water. Inhale the steam for at least ten minutes. A nice hot shower can have a more pronounced effect. Adding Vicks Vapo-Rub or other mentholated preparations to the water can amplify the effectiveness of the steam.

Thin the mucus to make it easier to expel:
The use of expectorants will help thin and expel the excess mucus from the respiratory passages and lungs. They will result in the accelerated drainage of mucus and relief from symptoms. Guaifenesin is the most common expectorant, found in over the counter medications like Mucinex and Robitussin. Over the counter sinus medications often contain cough suppressants as well to alleviate symptoms, and in many cases can be used instead of prescription meds to get relief. Check the labels for ingredients or ask your pharmacist to assist in finding the right sinus infection treatment for your symptoms.

Relieve pain: Over the counter pain medications such as NSAIDS can reduce inflammation and ease pain. Naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can all help to reduce swelling and open the airways. Acetaminophen does not help with inflammation, but can be used to relieve pain.

Nasal saline irrigation: Saline irrigation, most commonly achieved with a Neti Pot, is a method that can help you to get rid of a stuffy nose. A Neti Pot is a ceramic ‘genie lamp’ used to pour warm saline solution through the sinus cavities. Before using nasal saline irrigation, discuss it with your physician to make sure it is safe for you.

Medical Sinus Infection Treatment
The main goals in treating sinus infections are to reduce the inflammation and swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, promote drainage from the sinuses, and cure the infection.

Reducing Inflammation
The cells lining the sinus cavities can fight off irritants. However, when they are overwhelmed by bacteria or viruses, along with depressed immune function or reactivity to allergens, the result is inflammation and a sinus infection. With appropriate treatment, an acute infection can be treated effectively. Because foreign irritants can cause a variety of reactions, many treatments address the underlying symptoms of inflammation.

Medications for Sinus Infection Treatment:
Decongestants help clear the airways and are commonly the initial treatment to alleviate symptoms.

• OTC nasal sprays for sinus infection treatment:
There are several over the counter nasal sprays that can be quite effective. Chlozoxazone in Forte, phenylephrine in Afrin, and naphazoline in Naphcon work very quickly, sometimes relieving symptoms in a few short minutes. Don’t use any of these medications for longer than three days, as they will become significantly less effective and higher doses will be required to elicit a response. Alternate between nostrils and use the meds less frequently to avoid this rebound effect. Over treatment with nasal spray is common, and can lead to a dependency on the medications to breathe comfortably called rhinitis medicamentosum. This dependency is difficult and uncomfortable to overcome, so it is highly recommended that you avoid the overuse of nasal sprays to avoid it.

• OTC oral decongestants for sinus infection treatment:
Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine are used in liquid or tablet oral decongestants. They can be effective, but act much more slowly than nasal sprays do. It typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes for oral decongestants to exert their effects. Oral decongestants run the same risk of dependency that their nasal counterparts do, although the rebound effect is less severe.

Side Effects of Decongestants
Side effects including insomnia, anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, headaches, blurry vision and nervousness can be caused by both oral and nasal decongestants. Difficulty urinating can also occur. It is best to consult with your physician before taking decongestants of any kind, especially if you suffer from hypertension, heart disease, anxiety or prostate disorders. It is also best to avoid combining decongestants with other medications, as dangerous complications can result.

Conclusion
For best results with sinus infection treatment, we recommend you consult with your physician to determine the underlying cause and determine the safest and most effective course of treatment for your symptoms. - Comments: 0


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