What You Need to Know About Chronic Sinus Infection

Sinusitis is one of the most common health problems in the world. In United States alone, it is estimated that 39 million people are suffering from its symptoms.

Sinus infection, or sinusitis, generally means that your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Some of the symptoms may include any of the following:

• Runny nose with green/yellow discharge
• Nasal congestion due to excessive mucus
• Facial pain, especially in the eyes, forehead or cheeks
• Coughing
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Reduced sense of smell
• Sore throat
• Fever and fatigue

If any of the symptoms mentioned lasts for only a few days, then you may have had a bout of acute sinusitis. With plenty of rest, healthy diet and use of decongestants, you will be able to recover on your own. Chronic sinus infection, on the other hand, means serious business. It is termed chronic because you experience the symptoms for a long time or they keep coming back, bringing continuous discomfort.

Fortunately, we do not have to endure the pain and discomfort of having sinusitis all the time. Treatments are readily available in the market which not only provide relief, but also combats the problem head on by eliminating the source of infection. Below are some of the treatments you can undergo:

1.       Oral decongestants can be taken to relieve stuffy nose. Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be taken to ease the pain. However, these medicines only provide temporary relief.

2.       Bacterial sinusitis, the most common chronic sinus infection, can be treated with antibiotics, which target the infectious bacteria and prevent them from reproducing. Antibiotic treatment usually takes 3 – 4 weeks.

3.       Antifungal medicines should be taken if the infection is caused by a fungus.

4.       Steroid nasal spray or drops is advised if it is suspected that the infection is due to allergies. Steroids are very effective in reducing inflammation.

5.       Seek dental treatment if the cause of infection is believed to be dental in nature.

6.       Saline irrigation is also widely used not only for treatment, but also for prevention. Saltwater solution is used to rinse the nasal passages to clear out excess mucus and other irritants. It is very safe and effective that it should be part of our everyday routine to help take care of our sinuses.

7.       Steam treatments can be started to get rid of phlegm. Adding eucalyptus oil to you steam treatment is advisable as it acts as natural expectorant and decongestant.

8.       If all else fails, surgical treatment may be undertaken to improve the drainage of the sinus. The most common operation is functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), wherein the tissues that block the drainage are removed to restore the normal function of the sinus. The operation is very simple with high success rate.

Be careful with the medicines that you take or treatments that you undergo. Make sure that there are no contradicting effects. If you are not sure of what treatment to use, schedule a checkup with your physician and know the chronic sinus infection cure that is right for you.

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