SINUS INFECTIONS

Primary Causes for Sinus Infections:

Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold, which is a viral infection. In some cases, a bacterial infection develops.

Acute sinusitis symptoms often include:

• Thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage)
• Nasal blockage or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
• Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that worsens when bending over

Other signs and symptoms include:

• Ear pressure
• Headache
• Aching in your teeth
• Altered sense of smell
• Cough
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Fever

When to see a doctor:

Most people with acute sinusitis don’t need to see a doctor.

Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Symptoms that last more than a week or so
• Symptoms that worsen after seeming to improve
• A persistent fever
• A history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis

See a doctor immediately if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a serious infection:

• Pain, swelling or redness around your eyes
• High fever
• Confusion
• Double vision or other vision changes
• Stiff neck

Treatment:

OTC medications that may help include:

• These work by narrowing blood vessels to help reduce inflammation and swelling that cause sinus congestion. Such OTC medications (Sudafed, others) are available in liquids, tablets and nasal sprays.

• Pain relievers.Pain caused by pressure buildup in the sinus cavities may be relieved by pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

Other home remedies you may want to try:

• Inhale warm water vapor.Drape a towel over your head as you breathe in the moist air from a bowl of warm or moderately hot water. Or take a hot shower, breathing in the warm, moist air.

• Apply warm compresses.Place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks and eyes to ease facial pain.

• Drink plenty of fluids.Consuming additional fluids helps dilute mucous secretions and promotes drainage.

• Use a saline nasal spray.Saline washes or sprays can remove thick secretions and allow the sinuses to drain.

• Use a neti pot.A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. Neti pots are often available in pharmacies and health food stores, as well as online. Talk to your doctor to see if nasal rinsing is right for you.

• Antibiotics. Most people with acute sinusitis get better without antibiotics. However, if your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days, talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment here! https://advancetelemedicine.com/

Prevention:

Take these steps to help reduce your risk of getting acute sinusitis:

• Avoid upper respiratory infections.Try to stay away from people who have colds. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before your meals.
• Manage your allergies.Work with your doctor to keep symptoms under control.
• Avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air.Tobacco smoke and other pollutants can irritate and inflame your lungs and nasal passages.
• Use a humidifier.If the air in your home is dry, such as it is if you have forced-air heat, adding moisture to the air may help prevent sinusitis. Be sure the humidifier stays clean and free of mold with regular, thorough cleaning.

Reference:

https://www.mayoclinic.org