Treatment of Sinusitis

The sinuses are air-filled chambers in the skull behind the cheekbones, nose bones, eyes, forehead and mouth. The sinuses make mucus to help filter germs and other things out of the air we breathe. Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of these chambers. The main symptoms are a runny nose with thick yellow or green mucus, facial pressure (especially around the nose, eyes and forehead) and headache. Sometimes, people with sinusitis also have a bad smell in the mouth (halitosis) or bad breath in general, and a feeling of having a stuffy nose.후비루치료병원

Treatment depends on whether the sinusitis is acute or chronic and if it is caused by a virus or bacteria. Antibiotics are usually only used if the sinusitis is caused by bacteria. Viral infections typically go away on their own in about 10 days and don’t need antibiotics. Overusing antibiotics can lead to bacteria that are resistant to the effects of the drugs and may cause future infections that are harder to treat.

Drink lots of fluids. This can help thin the mucus and reduce congestion. Avoid irritants like smoke, dust and pollen. Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of germs. Get enough rest. Stress can worsen the symptoms of sinusitis.

Home remedies include using saline nasal spray or drops to rinse out the sinuses. You can buy these over-the-counter. You can also use a humidifier in your room at night to keep the air moist, which can help ease discomfort. If you have allergies, take allergy medicines or allergy shots to lessen the symptoms.

Symptoms of a sinus infection can be mild or severe and may last for weeks or months. If your symptoms are severe, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment right away. Seek medical care if you have a fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a headache that won’t go away or symptoms that get worse after improving.

A few people with chronic sinusitis need surgery to fix the problem that causes the inflammation and blockage of the sinuses. The most common procedure is called endoscopic sinus surgery. During this procedure, the doctor puts a thin tube with a camera on the end of it into the nose and up into the sinuses to look for and remove the cause of the blockage — such as an infection, a polyp or bone growth. Another procedure involves inserting a balloon into the sinus passages. When the balloon expands, it helps drain the sinuses. This technique is only suitable for select people with sinus disease in the maxillary (behind the cheekbones) and frontal sinuses, not for the ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes). It can also put pressure on your optic nerve, which can cause vision loss. It’s important to discuss these procedures with a surgeon before having them. They can advise you of the risks and benefits and help you decide if they are right for you. You’ll need to discuss your goals for surgery and whether you want to try other treatments first, such as medications or avoiding triggers of symptoms.라경찬한의원