Relief for Extreme Sinus Congestion

Many treatment options are available for extreme sinus congestion, also known as acute sinusitis or acute rhinosinusitis. Often relief can be found with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. However, congestion can be caused by a variety of factors, so if the symptoms persist or become worse or last more than a few days, consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment for your situation.

Do You Have Extreme Sinus Congestion?

• The classic symptoms of extreme sinus congestion are thick discharge out of the nose or down the back of the throat, difficulty breathing out of one or both nostrils, aches and/or swelling around sinus areas (eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead), or a dull jaw and teeth pain. Fever, nausea, ear pain, halitosis (bad breath), a sore throat and fatigue can accompany the congestion.

Self-Care

• Most acute sinusitis is caused by the common cold, and self-care techniques are the quickest and most reliable way to find relief and speed healing. Near immediate relief can be found with steam, which helps the mucus drain. Take a hot shower and breathe in the steam through your nose and/or mouth, or drape a towel over your head while holding your face over a steaming bowl of hot water. A warm compress applied to most painful areas can also reduce pain. Simply apply warm, damp towels to your forehead, eyes, cheeks and nose.

  A saline nasal spray can help with congestion, though many people find more relief with nasal irrigation (also called nasal lavage). Nasal irrigation is done with a neti pot (a stainless steel or ceramic vessel resembling a small teapot), or a specially designed squeeze bottle (which allows for control of water pressure), or a bulb syringe.

  It is also important to sleep regularly and eat nutritious food, as both will help your body battle the infection. Drink fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine; both can dehydrate and alcohol can cause swelling in the lining of the sinuses and nose.

  Over-the-counter medicines are also an option, such as nasal sprays that address inflammation; decongestants; or pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Visit the cold remedy section of a drugstore and select the product suited to your symptoms. However, do not use an antihistamine as these have not been proved to be effective in relieving acute sinusitis, and can even make the situation worse by drying nasal passages.

When to See a Doctor

• It is important to make an appointment with a doctor if symptoms get worse or persist for more than a few days, if symptoms are accompanied by a fever, or if there is a history of recurrent of chronic sinusitis. Consider immediate medical attention when the area around the eyes or the forehead is swollen and painful. Other reasons to seek urgent care are a severe headache, confusion, changes to vision, stiff neck muscles or shortness of breath.

  Your doctor may determine you have a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or--very rarely--a tooth infection. If your congestion is caused by a bacterial infection, you may get a prescription for antibiotics. Be sure to take the entire prescription, even after you begin to feel better. If you fail to do so, the bacterial infection may not have been completely defeated, and you risk getting infected again. Antibiotics will not help with sinusitis caused by allergies.

  A fungal infection is also extremely rare, when it does occur, the treatment plan may include a course of intravenous anti-fungal medicine. If allergies are contributing to your sinusitis, you and your doctor will develop a plan to reduce or eliminate allergens from your environment. Medication may also be prescribed.