Sinusitis Guaifenesin Treatment

Guaifensin is an expectorant which contains an active agent in medications used to thin mucus.  Guaifensin is beneficial for those requiring an expectorant to remove phlegm from the sinus or respiratory airways during an acute sinusitis infection or acute respiratory tract infection.  An expectorant helps bring up trapped mucus and other material from the bronchi, trachea, and lungs. 

•          Guaifensin like other expectorants are substances that dissolve thick mucus and reduce respiratory difficulties. 
•          Guaifensin acts by breaking down the viscosity of the mucus and body secretions.  In addition, when there is a sinusitis infection there is the requisite inflammation in the sinus cavities. 
•          Guaifensin assists with thinning the mucous throughout the body and has been known to assist with the treatment of fibromyalgia, gout, and act as a mild analgesic and skeletal muscle relaxant. 
•          When taking guaifensin it is not uncommon to experience chapped lips and dry mouth.  It is recommended to drink plenty of water while taking guaifensin and caution is urged about intake of guaifensin in above normal quantities as it can induce nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, inhibit platelet production and there rare cases of swelling in the lips or face. 
•          Sinusitis Guaifensin treatments are coupled together as guaifensin can be effective in symptom reduction during a sinusitis infection.

A sinusitis infection develops when the openings of the sinuses are so inflamed that the sinus openings are swollen shut.  The sinusitis infection typically takes hold during the course of a cold or an allergy.  During the course of the sinus infection bacteria or other pathogens then attack the already inflamed sinus cavity walls.  There is additional inflammation to the sinus cavity once the bacteria and mucus get trapped inside the sinus cavity.  When the sinus cavity is swollen shut, the trapped bacteria cannot be washed out by way of the cilia.  Symptoms that distinguish a sinusitis infection include nasal congestion, facial pressure, postnasal drip, drainage of green mucus, and cough.    When a sinusitis infection lasts more than twelve weeks it is diagnosed as a chronic sinusitis infection.  A diagnosis of acute sinusitis is given if the symptoms persist for four weeks or less.  During an acute or chronic sinusitis the same symptoms can persist causing fatigue, fever, loss of taste and smell as well as a productive cough in the upper respiratory system.  There are some medications that may be recommended to assist with managing pain, congestion, and inflammation.  Some of these sinus infection medications include nasal spray, analgesics and sinus decongestants. 

During the course of treating a sinusitis infection there can be side effects from taking some of the medications, like decongestants.  A side effect from taking a decongestant is the thickening of the phlegm or mucus in the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract.  Thick mucus that is trapped in the respiratory or sinus cavities is problematic and can aggravate or trigger other conditions and produce a cough or trigger an asthma attack, for example.  When mucus or phlegm is stuck a thinning agent like guaifensin, an expectorant, can be recommended or prescribed to assist with loosening trapped phlegm that can interfere with breathing.  Unfortunately, the side effect of guaifensin can be considerable as vomiting and headache are significant side effects.

Nasal sprays are also commonly recommended by physicians to assist with cleaning debris out of the sinus cavity and are typically prescribed or recommended in combination with other methods of sinusitis treatment.  There are also limitations in relying on nasal sprays to deliver medication to the upper sinus cavity.  Nasal sprays have difficulty getting medication and solution to the infection because the particle size is large and it cannot fit through the inflamed sinus opening which is very small.  Therefore, the size of the nasal spray droplet cannot reach the infection inside the sinus cavities.

Topical Treatment: Sinus Dynamics

      Share:  

Related Articles

Categories

• Acute Sinusitis (5)
• General Sinus Information (10)
• Sinusitis Infection (24)
• Sinusitis Symptoms and Effects (47)
• Sinusitis Treatment (26)

RSS Links