Tag: Nasal Passages

Conventional Medication For Sinus Infections

Conventional Medication for Sinus Infections

There are many things you can take to fight a sinus infection. Apart from antibiotics, there are others as well namely antihistamines, decongestants, leokitrienes, mucolytics, nasal saline irrigation and steam inhalation as well as steroids.

Antihistamines are recommended if the doctor has determined that your sinus infection is caused by an allergy. Majority of them do not have to be prescribed by a doctor so you can easily get this off the counter. The only limitation with antihistamines is the side effects. Those who take it will usually feel groggy or sleepy while some may experience dryness. To counter this, decongestants are added to the ingredients of the antihistamine like those normally found on those that are prescribed by the doctor.

Then there are decongestants. These are also available over the counter and in prescription form. These are designed to relieve congestion, nasal pressure and nasal swelling by reducing the blood flow to the membranes that in turn will improve air flow, lessen breathing through the mouth, decrease pressure in the sinus and head as well as ease discomfort.

The one thing it cannot do is relieve a runny nose. Sadly, it also has side effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate which means patients who have high blood pressure or heart problems have to consult a doctor before taking them.

Leokotrienes are anti-inflammatory prescription drugs that are used to prevent inflammation in the airway and sinus cavities. It has been proven useful in helping patients who have sinus infections due to asthma. The side effects associated with this drug include dryness of the nasal passages, headaches, bleeding, crusting, upset stomach and skin rashes.

The doctor may also recommend the use of mucolytics. This is also used in treating cough because it destroys or dissolves mucus which makes it difficult for the person to breathe. These are available in tablet or liquid form. You can also inhale it when this is placed inside a nebulizer.

This is usually given in high dosages as this is the only way to achieve easier drainage. Once this is done, it will be easy for the body to expel through coughing. If not, this has to be done with the help of suction.

Your doctor may also recommend nasal saline irrigation and steam inhalation. This is the only one that does not have any side effects. It is safe and non-addictive. This works almost immediately especially when what you are dealing with is indeed a viral infection so you can stop using it after 3 to 5 days.

Steroids are also used to get rid of sinus infections. In fact, there are two kinds and the one used for inflammatory conditions are known as glucocorticosteroids. This can be administered orally, applied to the skin or by injection.

The side effects associated with it include increased appetite, weight gain, upset stomach, increase blood sugar and blood pressure, sleep disturbance, mood swings as well as fluid retention. These gradually disappear of course once you stop taking it.

As you can see, there are other medications around that doctors can use to help you fight off your sinus infection. They will have to determine first what is causing it rather than through trial and error because this can lead to complications and you surely dont want that to happen to you.

Causes Of Sinus Infections

Sinus infections are more commonly known as sinusitis. It can definitely create a lot of pain and discomfort to the affected individual. To better understand your health condition, there is a need to determine its causes and one way to do that is by consulting a medical professional.

How can you tell if you have a sinus infection? Well, its really easy and you just need to look out for some symptoms such as a feeling of tenderness around your eyes, nose, forehead, and cheeks. Some patients even suffer from headaches, nose discharge, congestion, or fever, and cough. Most sinus infections are chronic and so you will need an experienced doctor to avoid frequent occurrences in a year. With the proper treatment, you can get rid of your sinus infection in no time.

Sinuses protect your skull. Sinuses come in four pairs which connect it to the nasal passages and the nostrils. When youre able to inhale germs, the infection will start. When the lining of your sinuses become inflamed, you will be suffering from a sinus infection.

Common colds are the main reasons for sinusitis. When you have a cold, there tends to be congestion inside your nasal passages. The sinuses drainage is inhibited, thereby causing the inflammation.

Scuba diving and flying can also cause sinusitis. You see, when you dive under water or you fly up into the air, the pressure changes. This change in pressure can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, causing sinusitis. Pregnant women are more prone to sinus infections because of the changes in the hormone level inside the body. Because of the hormonal changes, the nasal passages tend to swell causing discomfort and pain. Women who are taking contraceptives like pills are also prone to sinusitis because the pills trick the body into thinking that the person is pregnant and in turn, it creates hormonal changes as well. Asthmatics are also at high risk of developing the infection.

On most sinus infection cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and moxifloxacin. Depending on the severity of the infection and the age of the individual, the doctor can prescribe broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum medications. Some medicines may cost big money especially if the infection occurs frequently but if it means reducing or eliminating the pain, anyone will be willing to spend that kind of money.

To sum it all up, the causes of sinus infections are the following: when you inhale germs, common colds, change in pressure when scuba diving or flying, pregnancy, and the intake of birth control pills. If any of the situations applies to you, you will be at high risk of developing the infection as well. When you feel any pain around your eyes, nose, forehead, or cheek, take that as a warning and schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Sinusitis can really cause a lot of pain and discomfort. There are several effective medicines like antibiotics that the doctor can prescribe. Consult your doctor now and have your condition examined.

Once youre given a prescription, you need to follow all the instructions carefully. That way, your condition will get better and the pain will go away. Know the causes of sinusitis so that you can easily tell if youre exhibiting some of the symptoms. Sinus infections can be cured, so dont hesitate to visit your doctor.

Treatments Of Sinus Infections

Every year, more and more individuals are afflicted with sinus infections. Since this condition can create a lot of discomfort, those who are afflicted with it want to find the best cure. But what are the best treatments for sinus infections?

There are passages found behind the eyes, nose, and cheeks, and they are called sinuses. These passages are susceptible to infections which can be caused by allergies, viruses, and even colds. If you had an injury or a sinus disease in the past, you may also be prone to sinus infections. Swimming and infected tooth can also lead to this condition.

Sinus infections are easy to tell. Some of its symptoms are weakness or tiredness, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and coughing. A very evident symptom is when your coughing gets severe in the night. Other than that, you may also notice a greenish nasal discharge, bad breathe, and headache.

There are now different approaches on how to treat sinus infections. Aside from the medical prescriptions, afflicted individuals can also turn to alternative treatments. There have been claims that home remedies for sinus infections are quite effective.

For instance, if you have a sinus infection, try inhaling steam so that your sinuses will be unclogged. For more effective results, put a drop of eucalyptus oil or lavender on the water.

The trapped mucus will surely be released faster. While youre inhaling the steam, you can also massage the spots around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Do you like spicy foods? Well, if you do, the spicy foods are also a great help for unclogging trapped mucus.

Sometimes, home remedies dont work exactly the same way for you and the sinus infection becomes worse than ever. If you cant address the infection through natural home remedies or treatments, its time to consult a doctor and ask for a medicine. Most sinus infection medicines are aimed at reducing the swelling of the sinusitis and nasal passages. The medicine can eliminate the infection and promotes sinus drainage; that way, the passage is always open.

The root cause of the sinus infection should be identified and treated accordingly. If the infection is due to bacteria, antibiotics are often prescribed to get rid of the bacteria found in your sinus cavities.

If there is no improvement after the natural and medical treatments, youre left with only one option and that is surgery. A certain surgical procedure will be conducted to correct the health condition or problem.

Even if there are lots of medications for sinus infections, prevention is still the best answer. One way to effectively prevent sinus infections is to have a healthy immune system. If you have a healthy body, then it will be easier to fight infections and diseases. Always see to it that the surroundings are clean. Allergens can cause the infection so you need to get rid of allergens like dust and dirt.

Live a healthy lifestyle now. With a healthy body and immune system, sinus infections cant afflict you. Take nutritional supplements and eat the right kinds of foods at the right amount. Sinus infections can be prevented and if you already have the condition, there are different ways to treat it. Know more about the treatments for sinus infections. Visit your doctor or you can also ask a local naturopath for more helpful information.