Sinusitis Symptoms and Treatment

Dec 1
08:05

2008

Vinay Gupta

Vinay Gupta

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Sinusitis symptoms is caused by infection due to bacterial or viral. It last for more than three months and include cough, headache, nasal drainage and nasal congestion.

mediaimage

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses. It is usually caused by infection (bacterial or viral),Sinusitis Symptoms and Treatment Articles but can also be caused by allergic reactions or other responses to environmental agents.

Symptoms may last for 3 months or more and include Chronic fatigue, Cough, Facial pain around the eyes or in the forehead or cheeks, Headache (in the front of the head or around the eyes), Nasal congestion, Nasal drainage (yellow, yellow-green, thick), Pain in the roof of the mouth or teeth etc. However, most patients with sinusitis have pain or tenderness in several locations, and symptoms usually do not clearly define which sinuses are inflamed.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, tiredness, a cough that may be more severe at night, and runny nose or nasal congestion. In addition, drainage of mucus from the sphenoids (or other sinuses) down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) can cause a sore throat and can irritate the membranes lining the larynx (upper windpipe). On rare occasions, acute sinusitis can result in brain infection and serious complications.

If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, erythromycin or sulfa drugs, are usually prescribed for about 10 days. Your doctor also may prescribe one or more of the following remedies (which can be useful in reducing inflammation in the sinuses and nose and speeding recovery):

1. Decongestants. These temporarily relieve symptoms and also help the healing process by draining the nose and sinuses.Decongestants like pseudoephedrine, phenylpherine and phenylpropanolamine constrict the blood vessels and shrink the sinus and nasal membranes, thus, reducing stuffiness in the sinuses and nasal passageways.

2 Over-the-Counter Nasal Sprays. These products, including Afrin and Dristan, are decongestants in a spray form. They are effective when used for a few days, but can be addicting when used for longer periods of time.
After using decongestant sprays for three days, people usually experience a rebound effect - when they stop using the spray, they become even more congested and need more spray for relief. People with chronic allergies or sinus problems should limit the use of decongestant sprays to five treatments a week.

3 Prescription inhalers. Several types of prescription nasal inhalers can help reduce sinus inflammation (these are not decongestants and are not habit-forming). Prescription inhalers help heal sinus membranes after the bacteria have been eliminated. These drugs include Beconase, Nasalide and Vancenase (all cortisone derivatives) and Nasalcrom (a non-cortisone drug).
When used as directed by a doctor, prescription inhalers can be taken safely for months.

4 Expectorants. Medicines, such as Guaifenesin, thin the mucus so it drains more easily.

5 Antihistamines. These medications help relieve nasal itchiness and inflammation by blocking the action of histamine, however, they do not help mucus drain. Antihistamines include chlorpheniramine, Hismanal, Seldane and Tavist.

6 Humidifiers and salt-water sprays. Dry-air heating systems and air-conditioning can cause sinus membranes to dry out, crack and become vulnerable to irritants, inflammation and infection. Keeping a humidifier running in your home and office or using an over-the-counter salt-water spray (inhaled through the nose) five or six times a day can provide dramatic relief.

Recurring sinusitis accompanied by a bacterial infection usually requires one of the new, stronger antibiotics, such as Augmentin, Ceclor or Ceftin. These drugs may be given in larger doses for a longer period of time (up to four weeks) than required for a brief bout of sinusitis. The doctor may also recommend continued use of a prescription nasal inhaler for several months to keep the inflammation down and prevent a recurrence.

If you have any query related with sinusitis take online advice from doctors online at http://www.simplyanswer.com and ask the doctor, we will provide you medical consultation services within 24 hours.