How To Treat a Sinus Infection

 

Do you have a runny nose accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of smell and tooth pain? Then, you might just have sinusitis. Having this condition can be really uncomfortable since it causes difficulty breathing with a stuffed or clogged nose. The good news is there are various ways to treat a sinus infection.

Consult With Your Doctor

Once you see the signs and symptoms of a sinus infection, you should see an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist) right away. There are some people who mistake their condition for a minor cold without even realizing that it might be severe sinusitis, which needs immediate medication. Your doctor can prescribe you the most effective medicine that can treat sinus infection and at the same time relieve the symptoms.

What Medicines are Prescribed?

The medicine that will be prescribed to you would depend on your condition and what brought about your infection—a virus or bacterial infection. If it is caused by a viral infection, you do not have to take antibiotics. Doctors usually recommend over-the-counter treatments to manage the pain and fever such as Tylenol, mucolytics and decongestants.

If the condition is brought about by a bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics. Sinusitis is caused by bacterial infections; If you experience nasal discharge, facial pain, etc. for more than a week, you may be suffering from an acute sinus infection. The different bacteria include the following: Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis. Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic that is prescribed by doctors. Another antibiotic is amoxicillin-clavulanate. For those who are allergic to penicillin, the medications prescribed include Gantanol, Zithromax, Lorabid, Biaxin, etc. You need to take the antibiotics for 10 to 14 days in order to see their effectiveness. By using antibiotics, you can reduce inflammation.

In treating chronic sinus infections, there are also certain medications like Augmentin. This is used if you have sinus blockage. Antihistamines are also recommended if your sinus infection is brought on by allergies like environmental pollutants and pollens.

If your sinusitis is brought on by a virus, you should use over-the-counter treatments to treat pain and fever. Some of the medications prescribed include decongestants, mucolytics and Tylenol. Aside from these medicines, you may also have to use nasal irrigation.

Treat the Symptoms

To avoid having to deal with sinus infections, you need to know the underlying causes. There are ways for you to treat the symptoms. For one, you need to stay hydrated. You have to drink a lot of water. When you drink juices, do not add sugar. You can drink take the broth and hot tea. Drinking lots of fluids can help you alleviate the problem. Avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks. To dissolve excess mucus, you can use cayenne paper and horseradish. Mix this with lemon juice to help you dissolve excess mucus.

Other Remedies

Aside from the medicines that you will have to take, there are other remedies that you can use to treat your sinus infection. Steam inhalation with Peppermint oil or Eucalyptus can help you break the mucus. Inhale the steam. You can also use the salt water rinse remedy with herbal extracts. The grapefruit seed extract is known to be a natural antibiotic. You only need to grind this herbal extract. Using the fine powder, you can use it as a nasal spray. It has amazing antibacterial properties. Another great herbal extract to treat sinus infection is turmeric. This is a herbal remedy found in India. Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, you can use this to clear a clogged nose.

For home remedies, there are ingredients often found at home that you can also use for your sinus infection. One of the most popular concoctions is apple cider vinegar. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar to hot water. Take this three times a day.

Boost Your Immune System

Prevention is still the best cure. If you have a strong and healthy body, you are not at high risk for sinus infections. That is why it is essential that you boost the capacity of your body to fight off bacteria and viruses. To boost your immune function, consume plenty of vitamin C. There are various supplements, from chewable to liquid, that you can purchase to ensure that you have enough intake of vitamin C. Taking vitamin C can help your body boost your immune system, thereby improving your overall health.

In addition to vitamin C intake, you can also take supplements like fermented cod liver oil. This is rich in vitamin A and vitamin D. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids. This supplement not only boosts your immune system, but it can also balance your hormones and clear your skin.

Another natural remedy is oregano oil. With a few drops of this natural oil, you can have an effective remedy that works as a natural antibiotic.

Get Rid of the Possible Causes

In order to treat sinusitis, you should also eliminate the possible causes. Indoor allergens might be one of the causes of sinus infection. Common irritants include dust, pollen and animal dander. As much as possible, avoid these pollutants. Make sure that your air filter is clean and that you change it once a month.

The foods that you eat may also be a triggering factor. Some people have food allergies which may result in sinus infections. For instance, dairy and gluten-based products can sometimes trigger infections.

Sinus Infection Medication: Effective Medicine and Treatment

Having a sinus infection can make you uncomfortable. It is even worse if you have severe sinusitis. If you are suffering from this condition, it helps if you are knowledgeable about the condition and the different medications that are used to treat sinusitis. When you know what causes sinusitis, along with the different things that you can do in order to avoid having sinusitis, it may help in managing the ailment.

Signs and Symptoms of Sinus

Some symptoms are easily visible. If you have a stuffy nose, you cannot just say that it is merely cold, especially if you experience loss of smell and have a fever, tooth pain and fatigue. If you are experiencing all of these, chances are you have sinusitis. It is important that you consult your doctor right away. There are various types of sinusitis. You are suffering from acute sinusitis if you have had symptoms for about two weeks. If it lasts for 1 to 2 months then it is most likely subacute sinusitis. If it lasts for more than two months, then it falls under chronic sinusitis. If you experience sinusitis several times a year, it is recurrent sinusitis.

Do Antibiotics Work All the Time?

Antibiotics are considered to be the most effective medication for sinusitis. But there are cases where antibiotics are not that helpful. For instance, there are sinus infections that are not caused by bacteria. In these cases, the condition is caused by a virus and antibiotics do not kill viruses. If your condition is caused by bacteria, people react differently when it comes to medication. If you are taking an antibiotic, there is no guarantee that it will work effectively for you. If antibiotics do not work, or if you are allergic to antibiotics, then your doctor might ask you to consider nose surgery.

Side Effects

When taking any form of medication, you have to know the different side effects. If you are taking antibiotics, you have to be careful. Some people are concerned about whether antibiotics are really safe to use. In general, antibiotics are safe and effective. But just like any medicine, it has its share of side effects, too. The side effects may vary from one person to another since some people might not experience any at all.

When you take antibiotics, you may experience mild to severe side effects. If you are having a hard time breathing and you can feel your tongue, lips or throat swelling, call emergency services right away. Other side effects include fainting and hives. You may also experience other side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash and nausea.

Relieve Your Symptoms

There are various ways to relieve your symptoms. The first thing you should do is get ample rest. People who are overworked and those who have a weak immune system are prone to contracting this kind of medical condition. When you have a sinus infection, your body needs rest to recover. Aside from getting proper rest, drink a lot of water. This can help relieve the discomfort that you feel. As much as possible, go for water or other healthy fluids. Avoid alcoholic beverages. You should also avoid exposing yourself to cigarette smoke as this will worsen your condition. You can also inhale the steam. This can surely help a lot if you are experiencing a blocked nose.

Other Medicines Used to Manage Symptoms

When you have sinusitis, there are other medicines that are prescribed. For instance, you can use ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve pain as well as combat your fever. Other medicines that are used to unblock stuffy noses are nasal sprays and decongestants. Adults and children can take paracetamol. For children under 12 years old, aspiring should not be used to relieve pain or fever.

When using paracetamol to relieve colds and fever, it is essential that you check the medicine and look at the active ingredients. If you have certain medical conditions, you have to be careful. Children and pregnant women cannot just take any medicine without a prescription.

Antibiotics for Severe Sinusitis

If you suffer from severe sinusitis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. This medicine is prescribed if your sinusitis is brought about by a bacterial infection. You will experience the following symptoms: headache, blocked nose, runny nose and fever. There are also instances where you might experience tooth pain.

In treating severe sinusitis, one of the usual prescriptions is Amoxycillin. This is the antibiotic recommended by most doctors. Make sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to antibiotics.

Natural Remedies for Treating Sinus

In addition to medication prescribed by your doctor, there are other ways for you to cure sinusitis. Nowadays, many people prefer to use natural remedies since they do not have side effects. From boosting your immune system by taking the necessary supplements to get rid of outdoor airborne allergens, there are a lot of ways for you to get rid of sinusitis.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

When you are suffering from sinusitis, you want to treat your condition right away. As such, you have to follow and take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. You may also want to try natural remedies. On top of that, it is essential that you take care of your health. When you are healthy, you have a stronger immune system which means that you are not at risk of certain diseases and illnesses.