How to Treat Chronic Sinusitis

The sinuses are located around the nose with small openings that allow air and fluid to drain into the nose. When any of these four pairs of sinuses become congested, it requires treatment to relieve the congestion. The treatment will depend on if the chronic sinusitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Instructions

Learn Ways to Treat Chronic Sinusitis

• 1

  Understand chronic sinusitis as a result of a viral infection does not require antibiotic intervention. Depending on the medical history, a doctor may choose to treat with antibiotics to reduce the chances for a secondary infection such as pneumonia or otitis media (ear infection).

• 2

  Know that chronic sinusitis determined to be bacterial will be treated with antibiotic therapy. The most common antibiotics to treat a bacterial sinus infection include Amoxil, Ceclor, Lorabid, Biaxin, Zithromax and Bactrim.

• 3

  Include some type of decongestant and mucous thinner to promote drainage of the sinus passageway.

• 4

  Plan on a lengthy course of antibiotics if the chronic sinusitis is bacterial. It often takes as long as 21 days or more with the appropriate antibiotic to obtain optimal resolution of the infection.

• 5

  Take over-the-counter pain killers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage the pain associated with sinusitis.

• 6

  Consider surgical intervention a possibility to clean and drain the sinuses. More extensive surgery may be necessary if symptoms are caused by a deviated septum or some other type of nasal obstruction.

Learn Facts About Chronic Sinusitis

• 7

  Realize according to the National Center for Health Statistics, almost 30 million adults are diagnosed with sinusitis (see Resources below).

• 8

  Consider the fact that many chronic sinusitis patients are found to have an abnormal response to fungal spores. Clinical trials are testing the response of antifungal agents in the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

• 9

  Understand that aging may increase breathing difficulties in people with chronic sinusitis. As one ages, the supporting cartilage in the nose begins to weaken. This makes it more likely to have restricted airflow.

• 10

  Find the damp weather in northern climates is a likely culprit to initiate an attack of sinusitis in chronic patients.