Tag: Sinus Infections

Sinus Infection And Antibiotics

Most doctors recommend antibiotics for patients suffering from sinus infections. Are the effective? Not always which is why you should tell your doctor if it is doing well or not so something else can be given.

There are two types of antibiotics that are used for sinus infections. The first are known as narrow spectrum antibiotics. This means that it is designed to only fight a certain type of bacteria. The second are broad spectrum antibiotics that attack a wide range of bacteria.

Studies have shown that the second type is more effective but are more likely to promote antibiotic resistance. This is why most doctors will recommend the first type first then resort to the second when there is no other option. Here are a few of the antibiotics in the market.

The first are Aminoglycosides and these are classified as narrow spectrum antibiotics. This can be administered through irrigation or inhaling through the nose. Given that it is very strong, this should only be administered in the presence of a doctor because it has serious side effects that include damage to hearing, sense of balance and may cause damage to the kidneys.

You also have Macrolides are another form of narrow spectrum antibiotics as it is designed to fight the cocci bacteria. This can be taken orally and tests have shown that it is very effective in slowing or blocking protein formation in the bacteria.

There are also Cephalosporins which are broad spectrum antibiotics. This can be taken orally or through the ear and often used for patients who are resistant to penicillin. The side effects associated with this antibiotic are diarrhea and rashes.

Penicillin is not only used to treat people with kidney problems. They can also be used to fight bacterial that causes sinus infection by slowing metabolic functions vital to bacterial cell wall formation and by stimulating production of enzymes that eventually destroy cell walls. Thus, making it another example of broad spectrum antibiotics that will only attack actively multiplying bacteria and the two commonly used are amoxycillin and amoxycillin-clavulanate.

Among the antibiotics mentioned, Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones are rarely prescribed to patients. These two are broad spectrum antibiotics and although it is effective in treating legionella and mycoplasma, it can interfere with a patients DNA activity.

People should keep in mind that a sinus infection is different from a cold. The sinus infection can be caused by the cold and the only time that the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic is when this lasts longer than 7 days.

In order for the doctor to recommend the best antibiotic around, he or she must first identify the kind of bacteria that is present. To do this, the doctor will remove a swab of nasal discharge and let it grow into a bacterial culture in the laboratory.

If properly identified, the doctor will be able to prescribe the correct antibiotic and you will see an improvement within a day or two after starting the treatment. However, if you only feel better on the tenth day, your condition improved not because of the antibiotic but because your body was somehow able to fight the bacteria on its own.

Antibiotics can only be used if bacteria caused your sinus infection. Otherwise, something else will be recommended to fix the problem.

How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection

Ever told someone you are a bit under the weather? Well that is what happens when you are suffering from a sinus infection. Here is what you should do so you can take care of it before it gets worse.

First, try some home remedies. Some examples of these include steam therapy, drinking lots of liquid, getting enough rest, using heat packs and taking some medicine.

If you want to drink something else aside from orange juice or water, try drinking chicken soup or some tea. A lot of tea products are made from herbs and you are sure to find one that will be likeable to your taste. You can try eucalyptus, ginger, peppermint, licorice, lemon balm and Echinacea. Just be careful when you mix herbs with certain drugs because they may have a negative reaction to your body.

You can also consult a homeopathic doctor who will prescribe medication that generally does not have any side effects compared to over the counter medication.

Smoking causes sinus infections. If you happen to smoke regularly, cut it down gradually and then quit the habit. Many people are unaware that smoking damages the lining of the sinuses and causes swelling the in the mucus membranes.

Should you be suffering from an acute sinus infection, you will be back to normal within a week. But if this lasts longer, then you may be suffering from a chronic sinus infection and you will need to see a doctor.

After doing some tests, the doctor will most likely prescribe some antibiotics which you have to take until you feel better if it has been determined that this was caused from bacteria. To reduce the swelling, you will also be given some corticosteroids which can be delivered directly through your nose.

You might be prescribed antihistamines or decongestants which you can take orally. The only downside is that although it can help dry up or shrink the backed up mucus, it is only temporary.

Another way to loosen the dried mucus is through moisture or humidification. Your doctor will not give this to you but suggest that you buy a humidifier which you can use at home.

Lastly, if the sinus infection is caused by an allergy, the only way to get rid of it is with immunotherapy which is a technique that stimulates your antibodies.

You can tell if what is given is working or not based on the color of your phlegm. If you spit out some and this is color yellow, it means that you are on your way to recovery. If this is color green, then a lot more has to be done to make it go away. If this is color brown or orange, there could be complications like pneumonia. Whatever happens, update your doctor regularly until so he or she can track your progress.

Fighting a sinus infection could last a few days to a few weeks. Regardless if this is acute or chronic, you have to take action fast to prevent complications from taking place. If you think that a cold cannot do anything worse, think again because there are times that this could put you into a coma or something fatal. So start out with home remedies and if all else fails, get medical help.

Herbal Remedies For Sinus Infection

Who knew that taking certain herbs could help relieve sinus infection? Believe it or not, a lot of civilizations have been using it for years. We just got caught up with the western philosophy of how we approach medical science. The best thing about using herbs is that there are no known side effects compared to conventional drugs and here are a few you can take.

First is Eucalyptus. Its a fragrant herb that is nice to smell and is known to soothe throat. What makes this herb so unique is that it has antiseptic properties that can help shrink swollen tissues like your nasal passages. You can buy the leaf and mix this with warm water and drink it. If it is still too hot, go close and inhale the steam. You may also take it orally as this is also available in lozenge form.

Next is Echinacea which is an herb that can kill certain viruses in the respiratory system. It is also available in capsule form and you can increase the dosage when needed then reduced when things get better. People who are allergic to ragweed should not try this herb.

One effective herb that is recommended by the World Health Organization to treat sinus infection is the herb known as Ephedra. It is also used to treat other problems like hay fever and the common cold and because there are some risks taking it, this should only be taken under the strict guidance of a doctor.

Most people know ginger as an herb that fights headaches. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used to treat sinus infections. This is also available in capsule form and before taking it, you are advised to read the directions.

Goldenseal is another herb that you can use to treat sinus infection. Studies have shown it improves overall congestion so it improves your overall health. What is even better is that it has antimicrobial properties that can eliminate bacteria. The herb also contains compounds similar to steroids which reduces inflammation.

Peppermint smells very good which is why it can calm the mucus membranes. Like the others, you can mix this in hot water and inhale it and drink it as tea.

Lemon balm is often used to fight bad breath. But did you also know that it can fight sinus infections since it is helpful in fighting off bacteria and viruses? You just have to buy the leaves and then mix this in hot water for about ten minutes. After straining, you can pour a cup and drink as you please.

Then there is licorice. You dont mix the leaves of this herb to relieve sinus infection but rather use its root. There are two types of licorice products around so you can also opt for the capsule version which also boosts your immune system.

There are other herbs you can use to fight a sinus infection aside from the seven mentioned. In fact, most of these herbs can be mixed together. You can buy this in capsule form or pluck it out from your garden.

In the end, it doesnt really matter where you got it because it is designed to do one thing and that is to relieve you from sinus infection.

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.