Read Our Articles
Sinusitis Symptoms
|
Sinusitis, commonly known as a sinus infection, is something we have all dealt with at one time or another. If you’ve never had a sinus infection, consider yourself lucky as the symptoms can range from annoying yet manageable to painful and unbearable. A nasty bout of sinusitis can be triggered by a cold or the flu, environmental allergens or an allergic reaction, or from other irritants that enter the nasal passages. In this article we’ll take a look at some sinusitis symptoms, and we’ll also discuss different ways to help prevent and treat a sinus infection. There are different types of sinusitis? Sinusitis falls into one of two categories, acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis is normally triggered by a cold or the flu, and it will last 7 to 10 days. A chronic infection, however, can last up to 12 weeks or longer and can be very difficult to treat often popping up several times a year. While the symptoms of the two types of sinusitis are similar, the symptoms of chronic sinusitis are much more severe and should be taken care of immediately with proper care and treatment. The symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
When the nasal passages become irritated they will begin to swell, blocking the ostia (the openings of the sinuses). As the sinuses fill with mucus they will begin to swell and become infected. This causes the pain and pressure that is commonly felt with sinusitis. Postnasal drip is a common symptom which leads to a sore throat, and in some cases bronchitis. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:
Unlike acute sinusitis, mucus is thin and clear when you have a chronic sinus infection. Congestion is much worse, and sometimes you will not have a runny nose because your sinuses are so clogged. Depending on which set of sinuses is infected, there will be pain around the eyes, forehead or teeth. It is also possible for the infection to spread to other parts of the head and body, which could be very serious and lead to temporary, or permanent, vision loss or hearing loss if it spreads to the eyes or ears. Treating Sinusitis An acute sinus infection can often be treated with a variety of home remedies including a neti-pot, over the counter medications, natural remedies and bed rest. Many people will employ the use of a neti-pot to help ease the symptoms of their acute sinus infection. This involves flushing a saline solution through the nasal passages and sinus cavities to flush out irritants and bacteria. While it is an uncomfortable sensation, you will get used to it, and it will also help maintain the health of the nasal passages and cilia, which are essential in moving mucus out of the sinus cavities. There are many natural remedies which will also help. Cayenne and garlic are both extremely helpful in not only relieving congestion but also fighting infection. You can add cayenne to your food, or brew tea with garlic to encourage drainage and fight infection. Steam treatments also help with congestion, taking a long hot shower or breathing the steam from a humidifier will help break up congestion and help ease drainage. Moisture and warmth are both keys in the treatment of sinusitis, as congestion is caused by dry nasal passages. A chronic sinus infection is much more difficult to treat than an acute infection. While home remedies and over the counter medications can help ease the severity of symptoms, prescribed medications (and sometimes surgery) are needed to fight infection and keep it away. It is highly recommended that you seek the help of your physician immediately if you feel that you have chronic sinusitis. They will prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines or anti-fungals to help you fight infection. If you receive a prescription make sure that you take all of your medication, even if you start feeling better. If you stop taking medication there is a chance that your infection could come back even stronger than before, immune to the medication that you were taking. This is the leading cause of antibiotic resistance. For many people with chronic sinusitis, prescribed medications are not enough to fight infection. In these cases your physician will refer you to an ENT doctor to discuss surgery to help open the sinuses and promote drainage. While surgery is very effective in providing immediate relief it does not treat the infection and many people find themselves sick with another infection, and will end up undergoing several procedures in their lifetime. Alternative Treatments for Those with Chronic Sinusitis Many people have been unable to find relief with traditional treatments and have begun looking to alternative treatments for the relief that they need. Topical treatments such as nebulized and atomized therapy have gained a lot of steam with their high success rate in treating sinus problems. Sinus Dynamics, located in Westlake Village, CA, is the leader in nebulized, atomized and nasal irrigation treatments and have helped over 37,000 people find relief from their sinus problems. If you would like more information regarding the treatment options that Sinus Dynamics offers, don’t hesitate to get call us today. One of our friendly staff members will be standing by to take your call and help you get on the road to relief. Call us now, and we can get you the relief that you need! 1-877-447-4276
Share:
Related Articles |
Categories
RSS Links |