Are you tired of the persistent discomfort, congestion, and headaches that come along with a sinus infection? Well, you are not alone. Sinusitis commonly known as sinus infection, is a very common condition affecting millions of people worldwide.
It is caused by inflammation and swelling of the sinuses which are hollow cavities within the bones of the face. This inflammation can be very deadly as it can block the flow of mucus, which causes pain and pressure.
Now, if you are someone suffering from a sinus infection, you must be looking for instant relief from the symptoms and underlying causes. Fortunately, there are a number of sinus infection treatment options for you to choose from. Let’s dive into the treatments including home remedies and the medications that can help.
Unmasking Sinus Infections: Finding the Causes and Symptoms
Dr. Ayesh Shafi who is one of the top ENT surgeons in Pakistan says that sinus infections, also known as sinusitis can be caused by various factors like viral or bacterial infections, structural abnormalities, or allergies. Well, some of the common symptoms, if we come to think of sinusitis, are:
- Runny nose with green or yellow mucus
- Ear pressure or pain
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nasal dripping down the throat
- Facial pressure (especially around the eyes, forehead, and nose)
- Fever
- Bad breath or weird taste in the mouth
Types of Sinusitis
When it comes to the types of sinusitis, it is differentiated on the basis of its type, or for how long it has been there (acute, subacute, or chronic). And also what it is caused by (bacterial or viral).
Acute Sinusitis – symptoms include drainage, facial pain, and decreased sense of smell for more than 4 weeks. It is mostly caused by common colds caused by viruses.
Subacute Sinusitis – symptoms are usually observed for four to 12 weeks
Chronic Sinusitis – In this case, the symptoms last for at least 12 weeks. Bacteria is mostly the culprit here.
Besides bacterial and viral sinusitis, a fungal sinus infection is also very real. It is usually more serious than the other forms of sinusitis. They are more likely to attack you if your immunity is very weak.
The Sinus Survival Guide – Sinus Infection Treatment for Quick Relief!
For sinus infection treatment, there are a number of options that can help you get relief instantly. From home remedies to some OTC medications, here is a list of treatment options for you to try out.
Home Remedies
Some of the most useful tips and tricks when it comes to home remedies that you can follow include:
Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation is one of the very effective options in the treatment of nasal congestion caused by sinusitis.
Experts at Evercare Hospital say that saline irrigation simply can be understood as gently flushing the nasal passages with saline solution. This can be done by using bulb syringes, a neti pot, or a squeeze bottle. It is considered to be a great sinus infection treatment.
In the case of a neti pot, it is a very cheap apparatus that can be purchased from the market easily. You can make your own saline solution by,
- Taking 3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda make a dry mix
- Mix one teaspoon of the above mixture in 1 cup of sterilized, filtered, or distilled water.
Now, to irrigate the sinuses, you have to stand over the sink. Try and squirt some of the solutions in your nose while tilting your head. Do this in each nostril in a way that it flows out of the nostril.
It is very effective as it flushes away the irritants and bacteria from the nose.
Steam
Steam helps a lot in relieving congestion by loosening mucus athat makes it a great sinus infection treatment. You can give yourself a steam treatment by using a bowl of hot water and by using a large towel. You can add menthol, and eucalyptus oil in the water if you want to.
Now to take the steam, you can take the towel over your head, so it falls along that it covers your face and the sides of the towel. Try and trap the steam inside. If you are too scared to do that, a hot shower can also provide you with the steam that can help with sinusitis.
Cold and Warm Compress
Rotation of the cold and warm compress on your sinuses can also be very helpful andis considered o be a helpful sinus infection treatment. To do that:
- Lay back and drape a warm compress across your nose, forehead, and cheeks for at least three minutes
- Remove the warm compress and then replace it with a cold compress for at least 30 seconds
- You can do that two to three times
In a day, it is best to repeat this at least two to six times.
Breathing Exercise
Some of the breathing exercises can help a lot in helping you with your sinusitis. So one option to open the blocked nose is by trying out this exercise.
- Sit vertically and take a few slow breaths
- Breathe in through the nose for two seconds and then out through the nose for three seconds. (If the blockage is bad, then take small breaths)
- Keep the mouth closed and gently pinch your nose
- Make sure to breathe through your nose when you reach the threshold
- Then wait for a couple of minutes till you repeat the exercise
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Some of the OTC medicines that can help you as the sinus infection treatment and help in relieving the symptoms that come along with it include:
Nasal Corticosteroids – These nasal sprays help in preventing and treating inflammation. These include budesonide, beclomethasone, and fluticasone. One of the best sprays in the market is Xynosine nasal spray.
Allergy Medicines – If your sinusitis is due to allergies, then taking allergy medications is the best treatment. Your doctor might recommend you Fexet Tablet for that.
Pain Relievers – Some of the best pain relievers that are easily available for sinus pain include, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.
It is always best to consult your nearest ENT doctor as it is always recommended to keep an eye on the sage of pain receivers to children.
Suggested Read: Panadol Tablet.
Seeking Professional Help – When to Contact Healthwire
Coming back from this sinus infection treatment journey, it is time to take a deep breath of relief. It is, however, very important to seek professional help if your sinus infection or the sinus pain has gotten out of hand. It is best to book an appointment with the best ENT specialist near you.