Sinusitis 101 – Its Symptoms, Types, and Common Treatments

Sinus infection or sinusitis is a common ailment affecting millions of people worldwide. It usually develops after bouts of common cold, flu, or allergies. Sinusitis occurs when the sinus cavities located in the bones behind your nose and your eyes becomes swollen or inflamed, obstructing the normal drainage of air and mucus. This can lead to great discomfort and excruciating pain. SymptomsrnOther symptoms of sinusitis include tenderness around the facial area, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, thick yellowish or greenish nasal discharge, headaches concentrated around the eyes or on the temples, toothaches, coughs, and fevers. TypesrnSinusitis can be categorized into three types depending on its duration. An acute case of sinusitis generally lasts for around three weeks. A chronic case of sinusitis lasts for much longer – about three to eight weeks, or more. Recurring cases of sinusitis are those that frequently happen over time. The appropriate treatment and sinus medication will depend on the type of sinusitis you have. Common Treatments (Sinus Medication)rnOver the counter sinus medications are helpful in relieving symptoms of acute sinusitis. Decongestants and anti-inflammatory medicines lessen the inflammation and clear your nasal passageways of any congestion. Painkillers are helpful in alleviating facial pain and headaches induced by sinusitis. Antihistamines work great for those who have allergies. To get rid of sinusitis permanently, doctors often prescribe specialized sinus medication such as antibiotics, corticosteroids and antifungal medicines to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi respectively. Administering sinus medication via a nasal nebulizer is one of the most advanced treatment methods nowadays. Topical treatment is brought deep into the sinuses by letting a fine mist of your prescribed medication get inhaled into your problem areas. Medicated irrigation is another way of getting rid of sinusitis. Using a rinsing kit that includes a medicated solution can relieve you from your symptoms, and keep your nasal and sinus areas clear from excessive mucus and other foreign particles. Other Treatment OptionsrnUse of herbal and home remedies is another option at your disposal when dealing with sinusitis. While these remedies may not immediately cure the disease, these can still help alleviate the pain and make the condition easier to deal with. Some proven home remedies are steam treatments, applying hot compress over the sinus areas, and rinsing the nose with saltwater solution. All of these methods help clear the nasal passageways, and drain out the excess mucus discharge from the nose. Herbs are also powerful in controlling the symptoms of sinusitis. Examples of which are ginger, licorice, Echinacea, mustard seed, cinnamon and peppermint. A big advantage of these remedies over the use of sinus medication is their lack of adverse side effects to the body. When all else fails, another option in treating chronic and recurrent sinusitis is through surgery. Endoscopic sinus surgery, simply called endoscopy, is a procedure undertaken to open up the sinus passageways and remove any obstruction in the sinuses. This is recommended especially for those who have abnormal growths such as tumors or polyps in the sinuses, or those suffering from a deviated septum. When dealing with any type of sinusitis, make sure to consult your doctor first before taking any sinus medication or undergoing treatments. Proper diagnosis of root cause is the key in winning the war against sinusitis. So, at the earliest onset of the symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor and ask about the treatment that is right for you.