Chronic Sinus Congestion Treatment

The sinuses are located in the front of your head above your eyes, behind your cheeks, nose and ears. People with chronic congestion will experience congestion and pain often, which generally is worse during the spring and fall when allergens are prevalent. When allergies build up or you have a cold, obstruction or structural defect, your sinuses and nasal passages become inflamed.
Checking into what triggers sinus congestion will tell you the best way to prevent congestion and treat it.

Medication

• Most of us have experienced acute or sudden onset of congestion because of a cold, but many of us suffer from chronic sinus congestion called chronic rhinosinusitis, which is a pain, literally, and can affect our everyday life. Chronic sinusitis symptoms are like acute symptoms, but they last longer. Symptoms include difficulty breathing through the nose, pressure around your cheeks, nose and eyes and cough, which may be worse at night.

  Over-the-counter expectorants or drugs expel mucus and reduce mucus excretions by thinning the mucus, which allows the sinuses to drain properly.
  The lining of your nasal passages is there to help fight infections and inflammation. When your nasal passages become inflamed due to viruses, allergies and bacteria, it can cause infections.

  Saline nasal spray, which is available at any drug store, sprayed into your nose several times a day helps wash mucus away and offers short-term relief of symptoms.

  Oral or injected corticosteroids is another medication used for treating chronic sinusitis, especially if it is severe or caused by an obstruction, such as nasal polyps. Corticosteroids can cause severe side effects if used for a prolonged length of time so make sure you notify your physician if you experience any odd symptoms after taking corticosteroids.

  Nasal corticosteroids are sprays that treat inflammation. Examples include Nasacort AQ and Nasonex. Corticosteroid sprays are very effective in treating severe sinusitis and polyps.

  Inflammation causes swelling, which puts pressure on your sinuses and can cause headaches. Sinus headaches resemble migraines, but without the sensitivity to light and noise. For sinus headaches, take aspirin or other over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve the symptoms. Aspirin is an analgesic, which also reduces inflammation.

  Your physician may prescribe antibiotics when a bacterial infection is present. Antibiotics are not used with viruses. Make sure you take antibiotics as prescribed, usually for 10 to 14 days. Ending the treatment early may cause a relapse of symptoms.

Surgery

• Sinus surgery, called endoscopic surgery, may be necessary in severe cases of chronic sinusitis, especially if it involves nasal polyps, chronic sinus headaches or tumors of the nasal or sinus cavity.

  Sinus surgery today generally is same-day surgery or overnight. The surgeon will pack your sinus cavities with gauze after surgery if necessary, but the nasal passages are open so you can breathe freely through your nose. The goal of surgery is to enlarge the sinus cavities enough to allow for sinus drainage.

  Another type of surgery that doesn't require incision is the balloon sinuplasty. A balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a flexible catheter through your nose to the sinuses. The balloon attached to the catheter is inflated. Balloon sinuplasty restructures and enlarges the sinuses after removal of a blockage to promote freer breathing. This procedure is less invasive than sinus surgery.

Home Remedies

• There are treatments you can do at home to reduce the symptoms of chronic sinus congestion. One is steaming your sinuses. Fill a bowl with hot water, put a towel around your head, and breathe the steam, or let the hot water run in the sink, put a towel around your head so that the steam is contained and breathe the steam. This will help loosen the mucus in your nose and sinuses.

  Use a bulb syringe to rinse your nasal passages or place warm, wet towels on your nose, cheeks and face to help relieve sinus pain. Try sleeping with your head elevated to allow your sinuses to drain.