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Sinusitis Treatment

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. The symptoms can be quite bothersome, interfering with daily activities and sleep patterns. Sinusitis sufferers tend to experience headaches, neck pain and stuffy nose and typically just want some relief from the constant suffering. Sinusitis can either be acute, meaning that it lasts less than four weeks, or chronic where it lasts eight weeks or longer. Treatment options are out there to help aid in managing the agonizing symptoms of both chronic and acute sinusitis.

  1. Acute Sinusitis Treatment

    • A bacterial infection can sometimes be the cause of acute sinusitis so your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to control the infection. Whether or not a bacterium is the cause of the sinusitis, your health care provider may recommend a decongestant to help reduce inflammation in the nasal cavity and relieve congestion. Decongestants may be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a doctor and should be used for a limited amount of time, as they can cause increased swelling and congestion when used at length. Allergies can be another cause of sinusitis, in which case allergy medications may be necessary to treat the allergy and thereby alleviating the sinusitis. A nasal steroid spray to decrease inflammation in the sinus passages is often recommended to drain the sinuses. Additionally, various over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage symptoms such as headache, ear ache and neck pain associated with sinusitis.

    Chronic Sinusitis Treatment

    • Additional scientific research is needed to determine an effective treatment for chronic sinusitis. Although doctors are not always successful at treating chronic sinusitis, antibiotic therapy and nasal steroid sprays are generally the preferred methods of treatment. The length of antibiotic treatment is usually much longer for those with chronic sinusitis as opposed to those who suffer from the acute form. Your doctor may also suggest the use of a saline nasal spray to aid in removal of thick secretions that block the sinuses from draining properly. If your chronic sinusitis is severe, an oral steroid may be prescribed. As with treating acute sinusitis, over-the-counter decongestants, nasal sprays and pain reliever can be taken with caution to help manage the symptoms.

      As a last resort, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat your chronic sinusitis. This surgery attempts to improve drainage in the sinuses and lessen nasal blockages. Furthermore, if polyps are present that are causing the sinusitis, they will be removed, and if any structural abnormalities are to blame they will be corrected.

    At-Home Treatment

    • There are several things you can do at home to help treat both acute and chronic sinusitis symptoms. Sleep with your head propped up on a pillow or on your side to prevent your sinuses from becoming clogged even further. Steer clear of alcohol as it can make the sinusitis worse. Clear your sinus passage by breathing in steam from a hot, wet towel. Finally, drink a lot of fluids and get plenty of rest.

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