Sinus infections are more common than you might think, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating for those afflicted. Your sinuses are the small cavities in your skull that typically make mucus which helps to keep your nasal passages clear of pollutants and allergens. Unfortunately, if you get a sinus infection, then the tissue lining these cavities will become inflamed, which can lead to discomfort and a range of serious symptoms.
There are two types of sinus infections to consider when you’re wondering how to treat sinus infections, and the options available will differ depending on which problem you have. Acute sinus infections can last for periods of up to 4 weeks, while chronic sinusitis is more likely to last for several months or even years.
Options on How to Treat Sinus Infections:
When it comes to knowing how to treat sinus infections, the treatment will depend on what kind of infection you have. If your doctor can find out what’s causing your infection, then they can help to provide a more targeted option for treatment. Ideally, the best approach for most sinus infection treatments includes a combination of various approaches, including self-care and medication.
If your doctor believes that bacteria is the cause of your sinus infection, then chances are that the first thing he or she will do is give you a prescription of antibiotics to take. For acute periods of sinus infections, you might be given antibiotics for up to two weeks. However, if your sinusitis is particularly bad, then you may need to take antibiotics for a while longer.
Antibiotics are designed to get rid of bacterial infections, but they won’t help if your sinus problems aren’t due to bacteria. In some cases, you may need allergy medications, decongestants, or surgery to help get to the bottom of your problem.
While You’re Taking Medications:
When patients ask how to treat sinus infections, they usually find that it’s helpful to engage in some home remedies while simultaneously taking medications and antibiotics. For instance, it can be helpful to use a saline solution that will keep the linings of the nasal passages moist and reduce the discomfort associated with inflammation.
Some people find that sinus infections are best treated when the sinuses are flushed using nasal irrigation. However, it’s important to speak to your doctor about any forms of self-treatment that he or she might recommend before you attempt to use neti pots or syringes to clear out your sinuses alone. Using irrigation techniques improperly can make the condition worse, or cause the infection to spread.
Additionally, when you have a sinus infection, it’s important to make sure that you give your body all the rest it needs so that your body can begin to heal itself. Make sure that you get as much sleep as possible, as this will give your body the time it needs to recover. You may also need to take some time away from work if the infection is particularly bad, although most people find that they don’t have this problem, and can continue to work as usual with the infection.
