How do you treat a sinus infection?

Question

So I THINK I have a sinus infection, and not a head cold. I have had all the symptoms for over 2 weeks. I thought it was a cold til it lasted this long. Does anyone know how to treat it from home or anything about sinus infections? Thanky ou!

Answer 1

I've had frequent sinus infections until I finally found the right homeopathic treatment! Follow these steps and the severity of the infection will be significantly reduced!

1) YES go to a doctor and see about antibiotics. However, many doctors are no longer prescribing these. At the very least the doctor should prescribe some prescription strength pseudophedrine which will help to clear up the nasal passages some. As far as over the counter drugs go I would only recommend something like Robitussin PE which has an expectorant that'll help loosen and get the "stuff" flowing. Besides seeing the doctor for a professional diagnosis can't hurt.

2) DO NOT use sprays like Afrin or Vicks Sinex! They may help you breath easier, but in the long run will only prolong the infection by restricting blood flow (white blood cells) to the infected sinuses. Instead use one of the many saline sprays on the market. One tip is to tilt your head back, hold your tongue to the back of the throat, fill your nose with the saline spray, then pinch your nose and lean forward - just breathe through your mouth for 2-4 minutes and then blow everything out - repeat this 3-4 times a day. Gross, but will help to clean out your sinuses. Doing this instead of using the Afrin, you may have to suffer for a day or two, but combined with the other steps here, the suffering won't last long.

3) Stop drinking sugary drinks (soda, some juices, etc). As snot is really a complex sugar molecule, why add more sugar to your system? Switch to water or tea (see tip 5 below) for a while.

4) Hot shower or bath twice a day - breathe in the warm steam.

and lastly

5) Discovered this 2 years ago and man it works. Check your local grocery store in the tea, or natural foods isle. Look for a brand of tea called "Traditional Medicinals." They have a couple of herbal teas specifically to help the upper respiratory system. Every time I even think I may be coming down with an infection, I use some of their "Breathe Easy" tea (tastes kind of like warm licorice) I swear one or two cups of this stuff prepared by the directions on the box, and you'll definitely feel an immediate effect. Haven't tried "Gypsy Cold Cure" but I'll bet that one works too.

OK, 5) wasn't the last step. If you have re-occurring infections take a look around your house/apartment. Often something in the environment is the root cause - lots of dust or mold, perhaps smoke (burning food or from cigarettes). Adding a better vacuum and/or an air purifier may help remove contagions from the air. If you do have mold - get an expert to determine the extent of damage and to clean it up (last time I had a major sinus infection, also discovered thanks to a leaky roof in my apartment building, I had mold growing around the baseboards behind my bed).

Answer 2

Mild Sinus Infection

Answer 3

It is recommended that people with mild sinus infections (less than 7 days) take decongestants like phenylephrine whereas those with moderate to severe sinus infections (for 7 days or more) take anti-microbial therapy like amoxicillin. Mild Infection (less than 7 days) You can take Nasal Decongestant Sprays like Phenylephrine or Afrin, but Do not use more than 3 days because you will get rebound congestion (congestion that is worse than the original congestion). If you have mucus, you can also try guaifenesin which is found in Mucinex or you could use Mucinex DM which has guafenesin and a nasal decongestant like phenylephrine. Moderate to severe infection (more than 7 days) The first line of treatment is Amoxicillin or cephalosporin drug, which is what the rx is probably for. Hope that helps!

Answer 4

My doctor treats them with anitbiotics.

I treat them with
*LOTS of water. No caffiene, No dairy. this thins the mucous and helps you rid your body of the stuff more easily.
*Muscinex--good stuff--generic works just as well--resonalbly priced
* Sudafed shower puck helps get things moving in the morning--steam form the shower helps too.
*Saline rinse of sinus cavity. Not terrible pleasant, but effective.
**bonus** gargle with listerine to soothe the sore throat casued by drainage.

My experience 7-10 days and all better with an antibiotic (then a yeast infection follows) or 7-10 with my treatment ( and no yeast infection)

HOWEVER, if the infection moves to your chest GO TO THE DOCOTR AND GET MEDS!

Answer 5

Sinusitis

Symptoms


Pain and pressure in the face along with a stuffy or runny nose are the main symptoms of sinusitis. You also may have a yellow or greenish discharge from your nose. Leaning forward or moving your head often increases facial pain and pressure. The location of pain and tenderness may depend on which sinus is affected.

Pain over the cheeks and upper teeth is often caused by maxillary sinus inflammation.
Pain in the forehead, above the eyebrow, may be caused by frontal sinus inflammation.
Pain behind the eyes, on top of the head, or in both temples may be caused by sphenoid sinus inflammation.
Pain around or behind the eyes is caused by ethmoid sinus inflammation.
See an illustration of the location of normal facial sinuses.
Other common symptoms of sinusitis include:

Headache.
Yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat.
Bad breath.
Stuffy nose.
Cough that produces mucus.
Fever.
Tooth pain.
Reduced sense of taste or smell.

If you have these you probably have a sinus infection a.k.a. Sinusitis






Sinusitis


Home Treatment


Home treatment may relieve symptoms of pain and pressure associated with short-term (acute) sinusitis. Home treatment may improve drainage of mucus from the sinuses and prevent the need for antibiotics. There is no scientific evidence to support the use of home treatments in sinusitis, but you may find one or more of them helpful.

Drink plenty of fluids to help keep your mucus thin.
Apply moist heat (using a hot towel or gel pack) to your face for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day.
Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water. Avoid extremely cool, dry air. Consider using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air in your home.
Use saltwater nasal washes (saline lavage or irrigation) to help keep the nasal passages open and wash out mucus and bacteria. You can purchase saline nose drops at a pharmacy or make your own saline solution at home. It may also help to gargle with warm salt water by using one teaspoon of salt per pint of water.
Use nonprescription medications such as pain relievers and decongestants (such as nasal spray) to relieve symptoms.
If you need to blow your nose, do it gently. Forceful blowing may force thick mucus back into your sinuses and block them. Keep both nostrils open when blowing your nose.
If you have chronic sinusitis, you'll probably need to continue the above home treatment measures for a long period of time to keep your sinuses clear.

If this doesnt help with your sinus infection you may need antibiotics

Answer 6

"Sinus Infection Overview

Sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. A sinus infection can cause a headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head. A person with a sinus infection may also have a cough, a fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions. Sinusitis is categorized as acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long term, the most common type).

Anatomy of the sinuses (also called paranasal sinuses): The human skull contains 4 major pairs of hollow air-filled sacks called sinuses. These connect the space between the nostrils and the nasal passage. Sinuses help insulate the skull, reduce its weight, and allow the voice to resonate within it.

* Frontal sinuses (in the forehead)

* Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones)

* Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes)

* Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)

The sinuses contain defenses against foreign bacteria (germs). If a disruption occurs that affects the normal host defenses inside the sinuses, those defenses may allow bacteria, which are normally present in the nasal passages, to enter any of the sinuses. Once there, the bacteria may stick to the lining cells and cause a sinus infection.

Acute sinusitis usually lasts less than 8 weeks or occurs no more than 3 times per year with each episode lasting no longer than 10 days. Medications are usually effective against acute sinusitis. Successful treatment counteracts damage done to the mucous lining of the sinuses and surrounding bone of the skull.

Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than 8 weeks or occurs more than 4 times per year with symptoms usually lasting more than 20 days.

These sinuses are covered with a mucus layer and cells that contain little hairs called cilia on their surface. These help trap and propel bacteria and pollutants outward. The ostiomeatal complex (OMC) connects the nasal passage to the paranasal sinuses."


"When to Seek Medical Care

A person should call a doctor when experiencing pain or pressure in the upper face accompanied by nasal congestion or discharge, postnasal drip, or ongoing bad breath that is unrelated to dental problems.

Fever can be a symptom of a sinus infection or a cold. A person experiencing simple congestion with a low-grade fever probably has a cold and may not need special medications or antibiotics. Those also experiencing facial pain or headaches may have a sinus infection.

A doctor often can treat simple sinusitis. If left undiagnosed and untreated, though, complications of sinusitis can occur that may lead to severe medical problems and possibly death. The following complications are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment in a hospital's emergency department.

* Headache, fever, and soft tissue swelling over the frontal sinus may indicate an infection of the frontal bone, called Pott puffy tumor or osteomyelitis. Usually, this complication is limited to children.

* Infection of the eye socket may result from ethmoid sinusitis. The eyelid may swell and become droopy. Fever and severe illness are usually present. A person with this infection may lose the ability to move the eye, and permanently blindness may result.

* Ethmoid or frontal sinusitis may also cause the formation of a blood clot in the sinus area around the front and top of the face. Symptoms may be similar to those of eye socket infection with the addition of a fixed and dilated pupil. This condition usually affects both sides of the face.

* If a person experiences mild personality changes, headache, altered consciousness, visual problems, or seizures, infection may have spread to the brain. Coma and even death may follow."




"Sinus Infection Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Home care can help open the sinuses and alleviate their dryness.

* Promote drainage

o Drink plenty of water and hydrating beverages. Hot tea is often recommended.

o Inhale steam 2-4 times per day by leaning over a bowl of boiling hot water (not while the water is on the stove) or using a steam vaporizer with a towel over the head and bowl to prevent the escape of the steam. Inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Taking a hot, steamy shower may also work. Mentholated preparations, such as Vicks Vapo-Rub, can be added to the water or vaporizer to aid in opening the passageways.

* Thin the mucus: Expectorants are drugs that help to expel mucus from the lungs and respiratory passages. They help to thin mucous secretions, enhancing drainage from the sinuses. The most common is guaifenesin (contained in Robitussin, for example). Over-the-counter (OTC) liquid cough medications or prescription tablets can also combine decongestants and cough suppressants to reduce symptoms as well as to eliminate the need for the use of many medications. Read label ingredients to find the right combination of ingredients or ask the pharmacist for help.

* Relieve pain: Pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil are examples), aspirin, and acetaminophen (Tylenol is in this category) can reduce pain and inflammation. These medications help to open the airways by reducing swelling.
"

Hope youll get well soon!

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

My daughter has one right now. We are giving an antibiotic and a nasal sailine spray. That helps the nose from drying out. Feel Better!!!

Answer 9

Antibiotics

Answer 10

i have my left sinus swollen when i sleep i cant breath and breath threw my mouth, and my throat and tonge get extra dry.