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Home Remedies and Treatment to Relieve Sinusitis Infection

Sinusitis, medically known as rhinosinusitis, a sinus infection that occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and often persists even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria, or rarely fungus, may cause a sinus infection. Other conditions, such as allergies, nasal polyps, and tooth infections, can also contribute to sinus pain and symptoms. People may treat a sinus infection at home by relieving painful symptoms and taking steps to allow the immune system to fight off the infection.

 

Home remedies

Here are some home remedies to ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.
1. Flush
Use a Neti pot, a therapy that uses a salt and water solution, to flush your nasal passages. Nasal irrigation using the Neti pot has been a tried-and-true sinus treatment method for centuries. I have patients who swear by Neti pots and use them daily or weekly to keep their sinuses flowing well. Remember to use distilled water only.

2. Spray
Use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray that contains salt water to help keep your nasal passages moist, unblock congestion, and treat inflammation. Some sprays, like Afrin®, can only be used for a maximum of three days. If you exceed three days, you will get “rebound” or worse nasal congestion. Other nasal sprays, like fluticasone, are more effective the longer you use them.

3. Hydrate
Drink a lot of fluids—water and/or juice—to help thin your mucus. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration.

4. Rest
Get plenty of rest to help your body fight infection and speed up recovery. While you sleep, prop yourself up with a couple of pillows. Staying elevated can help you breathe more comfortably.

5. Steam
Breathe in steam from a pot or bowl of warm (not too hot!) water or take a hot shower. You also can place a warm, wet towel on your face, followed by a cool towel. To help ease sinus pain and open your nasal passages.

 

Treatments

Treatment for sinus infection works to unblock and drain the sinuses. If a person has had a sinus infection for over 7–10 days, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic therapy, but only if the infection is bacterial. Viral sinus infections often improve without treatment.

Another option is to use a prescription nasal spray to reduce swelling in the nasal passages. This allows mucus to drain more easily from the sinuses. A doctor may also prescribe a saline solution for flushing excess mucus out of the nose.

If a person has a fungal infection in their sinuses, a doctor will prescribe an antifungal medicine. If antifungal medicines do not work or a sinus infection is very severe, a doctor may prescribe oral steroids. These are strong medicines, and people should discuss any possible side effects with their doctor first.

In very severe cases, such as when the sinus infection does not respond to medication or has spread to other parts of the face, a person may need a surgical procedure to clear the blockages.

 

Acute Sinusitis Symptoms

The main signs include:

  • Facial pain or pressure
  • “Stuffed-up” nose
  • Runny nose
  • Loss of smell
  • Cough or congestion

You may also have:

  • Fever
  • Bad breath
  • Fatigue
  • Dental pain

It may be acute sinusitis if you have two or more symptoms or thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge.

 

Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms

  • You may have these symptoms for 12 weeks or more:
  • A feeling of congestion or fullness in your face
  • Nasal obstruction or nasal blockage
  • Pus in the nasal cavity
  • Fever
  • Runny nose or discolored postnasal drainage
  • You may also have headaches, bad breath, and tooth pain. You may feel tired a lot.

Lots of things can cause symptoms like these. You’ll need to see your doctor find out if you have sinusitis.

 

When to see a doctor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people should see their doctor if a sinus infection lasts for over 10 days or if symptoms continue for longer than 10 days after treatment. A person may have chronic sinusitis if the infection lasts for longer than 8 weeks or if they have more than four sinus infections in a year. A doctor can help reduce the symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Both children and adults should also see a doctor if they have:

  • a sinus infection for more than 10 days
  • worsening symptoms
  • several sinus infections in a year
  • no improvement after taking OTC medications
  • a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C)

A doctor will ask about a person’s symptoms and examine their nose and throat. They may also take a swab of the inside of the nose for culture testing. If a sinus infection is not responding to antibiotics, a doctor may examine the sinuses in more depth using a nasal endoscope. This is a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to the end. They may also carry out a CT scan to examine the sinuses further.

 

Sources: www.cdc.gov, www.medicalnewstoday.com, www.healthline.com

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