Effective Ways to Treat Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation or swelling of the tissues lining your sinuses. Sinuses are spaces in your forehead, cheeks, and nose that make mucus to keep inside your nose moist. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, or allergens can cause sinusitis. Common symptoms of sinusitis Silver Spring include a stuffy nose, facial pain, thick white, yellow, or green mucus discharge, fever, and coughing. Other symptoms include runny nasal blockage or congestion, trouble smelling, bad breath, headaches, ear pressure, and fatigue. Here are various ways to treat sinusitis.

Home remedies

Use of warm compresses

Warm compresses can help reduce sinus pain. You may place warm, damp towels around your nose, cheeks, and eyes to relieve facial pain. Warm compresses may also help to clear nasal passages.

Drink plenty of water and rest

Drinking a lot of water can help flush the virus out of your system. Ensure you take at least eight ounces of water every two hours. Getting plenty of rest helps your body fight the infection.

Add moisture

Keeping your sinuses hydrated helps ease the pressure. At night, you can have a humidifier in your bedroom to help alleviate nighttime nasal blockages. During the day, you can expose your sinuses to steam by filling a bowl with boiling water and leaning over it for over ten minutes. Cover your head and the bowl with a thick towel, and keep your nose ten inches above the water to hydrate your sinuses. Regular hot showers can also help hydrate your sinuses.

Medications

Painkillers

Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce sinus discomfort. They can relieve sinusitis symptoms like headaches and facial pain. Your doctor can recommend the best painkiller for your symptoms.

Antibiotics

Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics if your sinusitis results from a bacterial infection. If you have acute sinusitis, you may take antibiotics for ten to fourteen days, and longer for chronic sinusitis. Ensure you finish your medications and take them as instructed by your provider, even if your symptoms improve before you complete your dosage.

Decongestants

Decongestants help minimize the amount of mucus in your sinuses. They are available as sprays and pills. Ensure you use your decongestant as instructed. Using nasal sprays for more than three days may make you more congested.

Allergy medications

If your sinusitis results from allergies, your doctor may prescribe allergy medicine. Antihistamines and avoiding things that trigger your allergy can help improve your sinusitis. Allergy shots can be a long-term solution because they make you less sensitive to things that stimulate your symptoms.

Steroids

Your healthcare provider can prescribe inhaled steroids to reduce sinus membrane swelling. If you have chronic sinusitis, your provider may prescribe oral steroids.

Surgery

 If you have chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis, surgery may be helpful. Surgery can help remove blockages and enlarge your sinus passages, making it easier for them to drain. Surgery can help treat sinusitis caused by nasal polyps or deviated septum.

Schedule an appointment at the Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland for sinusitis treatment to alleviate nasal congestion.

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