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Sinusitis Treatment & Antibiotics

Sinusitis is caused by swelling of the sinus cavities around the nasal passages, resulting in a blockage that causes mucus to build up. Sinusitis makes breathing through the nose difficult and can also cause headaches due to sinus pressure. Sinusitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, but nasal polyps or a deviated septum can also cause the symptoms. Treatment for sinusitis focuses on relieving the symptoms, reducing inflammation, opening the nasal passages for drainage and eliminating the infection or underlying cause.

  1. Symptom Relief

    • Decongestants are often effective at relieving sinus pressure and improving drainage. Over-the-counter medications come in tablet, liquid and nasal spray forms. They should not be taken for more than a few days at a time unless recommended by a doctor because of the increased chance of rebound congestion. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help relieve the discomfort and headaches caused by sinus pressure. Saline nasal sprays can help clear the sinus passages and can be used in conjunction with other medications to reduce symptoms. Nasal or oral corticosteroids can help reduce severe inflammation but can cause serious side effects. They are usually reserved for serious cases of chronic sinusitis, rather than acute symptom relief, and must be prescribed by a doctor.

    Antibiotics

    • Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for cases of acute sinusitis caused by bacterial infections that do not clear up on their own with the use of over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common antibiotics used to treat sinusitis are amoxicillin, doxycycline and the combination drugs, such as Septra and Bactrim. If the first antibiotic does not clear up the infection, the doctor may prescribe a different one. Antibiotics are often prescribed in liquid or pill form, though inhaled antibiotics may be more effective if other treatment options have failed, according to a 2003 study published in "Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery." The most important thing is to take antibiotics exactly as they are prescribed for as long as they are prescribed to prevent symptoms from coming back.

    Surgery

    • Chronic sinusitis that continues to be resistant to other treatment methods may require surgery to correct. Most surgical procedures to treat recurring sinusitis involve the doctor using a flexible tube with a light called an endoscope to explore the sinus passages and locate the source of the blockage. He may then remove portions of tissue and polyps to prevent further blockage in the nasal passages. In some cases, the patient may simply have nasal passages that are too narrow to provide adequate airflow and drainage. Surgery to widen the passages in these cases is often successful in preventing further sinusitis flare-ups.

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