If several acute attacks occur within a year, it's called "recurrent. Most people with acute sinusitis get better without treatment , although you can ease the symptoms and reduce the likelihood of needing stronger medicine if you keep your nasal passages clear with a few low-tech preventive techniques see "Preventing sinusitis".
It's hard to predict who will develop chronic sinusitis but knowing more about the two main types can help you decide how to treat your symptoms and when to see a clinician. Here are the basics:. Acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis usually starts with a cold. Viruses, not bacteria, cause colds, so it's useless to treat them with antibiotics. But when a cold turns into sinusitis, it means that blocked nasal passages have set off a secondary infection caused by bacteria and you may eventually need an antibiotic.
Rarely, especially in people with weakened immune systems, a fungal infection is the cause. If symptoms are severe and last for more than a week, you may want to see your primary care clinician. Based on your symptoms and a look inside your nose with a small flashlight, she or he can usually tell whether sinusitis has settled in.
If you do have sinusitis, you may be prescribed an antibiotic, especially if preventive drainage strategies aren't helping. For the pain, try a warm compress on your face, or inhale steam see "Preventing sinusitis". An over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can also relieve facial pain, as well as headache and fever.
Chronic sinusitis. If symptoms linger or keep returning, you may have chronic sinusitis, a more complex disorder that calls for evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat ENT specialist also called an otolaryngologist. She or he will order a CT scan of your nose and sinuses and examine the nasal cavity with a thin lighted tube endoscope to look for causes of the blockage.
Blood and allergy tests and bacterial cultures may also be needed. Nasal irrigation and decongestants can help in the treatment of chronic sinusitis by keeping mucus loose and nasal passages clear. The mucus-thinning agent guaifenesin Mucinex is another option. Be sure to drink a full glass of water when you take it. Nasal steroids such as fluticasone Flonase or beclomethasone Beconase may be added to help counter inflammation.
Sometimes the main problem is anatomical, such as nasal polyps , a deviated septum, congenitally narrowed paranasal passages, or tissue thickened by years of infection. Whereas, if a stuffy nose is the result of seasonal allergies , symptoms may last much longer and reappear with certain environmental triggers.
However, by taking steps to protect ourselves, we can also limit how often we experience congestion and sinus pressure. For most people, nasal congestion is nothing more than a nuisance.
Sinus infections are miserable. An ENT will first assess the root cause of your sinus problems. If you have a blockage in your sinus cavity, such as a polyp or scar tissue, the blockage can be removed using a method called endoscopy. The ENT will insert a thin endoscope with a tiny camera into your nose to identify the blockage and guide other instruments to gently remove them. If there is nothing that needs to be removed from your sinuses, there is another option that can provide amazing results: Balloon Sinus Dilation balloon sinuplasty.
The ENT inserts a tiny tube with a small balloon on the en into your nose. If a bacterial sinus infection is causing sinus drainage symptoms, antibiotics may help clear the infection. If an allergic reaction is responsible, a person should undergo allergy testing and receive a diagnosis. Some prescription medications can help. Chronic sinusitis can also cause uncomfortable sinus drainage. Antibiotics and corticosteroid medications can help, but a person may require surgery if the sinusitis has caused a blockage.
Sinus drainage is a natural process, so a person cannot prevent it. The sinuses drain down the back of the throat and into the stomach. Each time a person swallows, they are swallowing some mucus.
It is particularly important to wash the hands frequently during cold and flu season, and after coming into close contact with others. When sinus drainage becomes uncomfortable, and this lasts longer than a week, a person may have an infection or another issue that requires medical treatment.
When a cold, seasonal changes, or dry air causes uncomfortable sinus drainage, the symptoms usually go away on their own. A sinus infection, allergy, or injury can cause symptoms that last much longer. If home treatments do not work, see a doctor, even if symptoms are minor. A person can usually manage symptoms of sinus drainage at home. Anyone with long-lasting or recurring sinus drainage discomfort should speak with a doctor about potential causes.
Medical treatments can often resolve symptoms more effectively than home remedies. Some people use essential oils to relieve symptoms of a cold or flu. However, they cannot cure the flu or any other virus, and there may be some risks. Are natural antibiotics safe? Do they work? Read about the best and worst natural antibiotics. We also discuss when to use prescription antibiotics.
0コメント