How to Prevent Sinus Infections

The pain and discomfort of sinus problems are quite common.  Doctors are kept busy diagnosing and treating patients for allergies and infections.  A round of antibiotics will, in many cases, cure the problem, until the next time.  But, the best medicine is to keep illness from occurring. For anyone who has ever dealt with this problem, it is important to learn how to prevent sinus infections in the first place.


1. Drink plenty of fluids - preferably water
The body needs to remain hydrated. Mucus has a purpose. As you breathe through your nose, it catches pollutants and germs that could enter your body and make you sick. However, if the mucus cannot drain properly, it can cause a sinus infection.


2. Avoid climate changes
When you're outside in the cold, the temperature causes your mucous membranes to go into overdrive. Your body is trying to warm the air, before it hits your lungs. In dry, hot climates your sinuses may get clogged up. To avoid sinus infections, it is better not to subject your body to frequent and extreme climate changes.


3. Use steam
Periodically breathing in steam will help add moisture to your nasal passages. Some people prefer to add peppermint, garlic, or herbal remedies to further aid the sinuses.


4. Avoid chlorinated water
For people with frequent sinus trouble, the local swimming pool is not a good place to hang out. Breathing in the chemicals from chlorinated water is not healthy. It can irritate the sinuses even further, especially for an individual who already has frequent sinus maladies.


5. Clean with green
When cleaning your home, use green products. Most stores now carry cleaning solutions that are chemical-free and good for the environment. They are also good for your sinuses. Especially in the winter, the home can be one of the worst places for people who have frequent sinus infections. The air does not circulate well, and they clean with products that have chemical additives. These tend to irritate the sinuses and cause them to work overtime, to capture the pollutants before they enter the body. Chemical-free cleaning solutions solves this potential cause of sinus infections.


6. No smoking
Sinus infections are another good reason to stop smoking, or quit hanging around those that do. The smoke is a pollutant. It will inevitably irritate the sinuses, causing them to work extra hard to keep the carcinogens from infiltrating your body.


7. Humidifier
Especially in the winter, when the air in the home is normally dry and stale, it is extremely helpful to have a humidifier. Today, it is not that difficult to find a humidifier that runs quietly. Although it would be beneficial to have it running around-the-clock, it is especially useful to have a healthy level of humidity in the bedroom at night.


8. Filters
Keeping clean filters on your heating and cooling systems will also help your sinuses. This is an inexpensive means of reducing the amount of pollutants that naturally occur in any living environment. In addition, if you do use a humidifier, make sure it also has a good filter.


9. In moderation
For people prone to sinus infections, it is best not to drink alcoholic beverages. Even in limited amounts, it can cause your sinus membranes to become inflamed and make you more susceptible to infection. If you must drink, do so in moderation.


10. Take a drive
If you must travel, it is better for your sinuses if you take a drive. The pressure from airplane descents can irritate your sinuses. Flying is not a good idea for people with chronic sinus problems.


11. Ice cream you scream
Dairy products have a tendency to cause mucus to thicken. You may love the ice cream; but, it may not love you back. Moderation is the key. If you suffer from chronic sinus infections, it might be a good idea to find alternative sources for calcium and other nutritional values.

Learning how to prevent sinus infections can help many people avoid the physical and financial pain of this potentially debilitating illness. While some individuals may never know the discomfort of infected and inflamed sinuses, others have chronic health issues. They just get rid of one sinus infection and they begin fighting another. Traditional antibiotics are becoming less effective, because the disease builds resistance to their healing powers. Why ride the roller coaster of sinus pain and misery, if there are ways to prevent them from occurring in the first place? Forget about having a standing order of antibiotics at your local pharmacy. Discover how to make your sinuses work for your better health and not against you.

Fungal Sinus Infection

Many infections start out as minor inconveniences. With care, individuals often think the symptoms will go away on their own. If caught soon enough, some home remedies may help prevent them. Usually, it requires antibiotics and complimentary treatments to get rid of a bacterial infection. But, for those with a fungal sinus infection that does not go away with home remedies, it is extremely important to seek medical care. Left untreated, it can cause serious illness or worse.

Fungi

As surprising as it may seem, the body can harbor natural fungi that is not harmful. It will not cause illness or disease. But, if there is a fungus that gets out of control, and the body can’t fight it off, it can cause serious health issues. One such problem is a fungal sinus infection.

According to the American Rhinologic Society, there are four different types of sinus infections that can be attributed to fungi like Aspergillus. Caught early, home remedies may relieve the symptoms and take care of the problem. However, if left untreated, a doctor may diagnose:

1. Invasive Acute and Chronic Sinusitis
2. Fungal Ball
3. Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

When a sinus infection lasts several weeks, and the plethora of home treatments remains ineffective, it is time to seek professional help. A doctor can determine if the sinus trouble is related to a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics; or, the infection is fungal-based and would not respond well to antibiotics.

Invasive Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

Invasive Acute Sinusitis is the most danger form of fungal sinus infection. In fact, it often becomes a fatal illness. This malady can actually destroy bone and spread to areas of the body, other than the sinuses. It is fast growing. It is a rare form of sinusitis that normally occurs with patients that already have compromised immune systems. For example people who are undergoing chemotherapy or have severe diabetes are more likely to suffer this disease. To get rid of the infection may require both surgery and anti-fungal medication. So, individuals who have poor immunity should see their physicians promptly, if they suspect a sinus infection.

Fungal Ball

The maxillary sinuses are the cavities above the cheekbones. People with recurrent sinus infections have a greater tendency to be diagnosed with a fungal ball in this area of the sinuses. The fungus collects until the sinuses are blocked and unable to drain. Although the fungi will not damage the bone, it will have to be removed. After tests to confirm the problem, a doctor will order endoscopy sinus surgery. After removal, a prescription to get rid of the remaining fungus will be ordered.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

For individuals with frequent sinus ailments, allergic fungal sinusitis is probably the most common fungal sinus infection. Patients with the malady will often have recurring illness. It might be necessary to institute long-term treatment programs to keep the infection at bay.

Patients may need to regularly irrigate their sinuses with a salt and warm water solution, take anti-fungal medications, and take antibiotics, or some other treatment, in order to stay healthy. If a sinus infection does occur, medical tests will check for a fungal ball that may need to be surgically removed, before prescribing medications.

Unfortunately, allergic fungal sinusitis is so common simply because the culprits are common household allergens. It is hard, if not impossible, to rid the environment of the microscopic organisms that will cause the sinuses to flare up, swell, and start creating so much mucus that nasal passages are blocked. Doctors can recommend home remedies to help prevent or lessen infections. But, for most patients, it is a lifelong health concern.

A fungal sinus infection can be particularly difficult to treat. At first, it will likely appear to be a regular bacterial infection of the sinuses. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, only to be surprised when the patient returns, because the sinus problem has not gone away. Upon further examination, it becomes very apparent that this is not the typical sinus ailment. Many patients will require minor endoscopic surgery to remove the fungus, before an anti-fungal medication. In most cases, it will have been brought on by allergies to dust, pollen, or other common pollutants in the environment. So, it is not uncommon for some patients to have frequently recurring infections. It might be necessary to recommend home remedies for sinus care, in the hopes of preventing another infection for as long as possible. Some patients will have life-long difficulties with their sinuses and need frequent medical attention. So, for those patients who have suffered more than one fungal sinus infection, it is a good idea to talk to their doctor about long-term treatment options. It can literally save a lot of headaches in the future.

Chronic Sinus Infection

Having a sudden onset sinus infection is bad enough; but, the majority of people with allergies and related illnesses also suffer from chronic sinus infection.  Thus, it becomes a lifelong medical condition.  Individuals have to be constantly vigilant, when it comes to their sinuses, so they can prevent flair ups and recognize the symptoms of an impending infection, before it causes debilitating symptoms.

Chronic Causes

For patients with chronic sinus infections, the pain and discomfort can adversely affect their quality of life for months at a time.  The sinuses are resistant to any treatment efforts, and it seems like the symptoms will never go away.  Sufferers may feel like they keeps tissue companies in business, because they are always blowing their noses.  In addition, they likely have ever-present pain and swollen sensations around their sinus cavities.  Frequent headaches are also a common complaint.

Chronic sinus infection can be debilitating.  It makes it difficult to concentrate and go about daily living.  Many people simply want to close their eyes and go to bed, where they can suffer in peace.  However, knowing the causes will help doctors know how to treat the sinuses and hopefully get rid of the chronic pain.  The cause may be:

• Infections
• Deviated septum
• Nasal polyps

Infections

The first thing most people think, when they start suffering the symptoms of sinus trouble is that they have another infection.  So, they make an appointment to see the doctor, so he/she can prescribe medicine that will make them feel better in a day or two.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Sinus infections may be due to a virus or fungus, which will not be helped by antibiotics.  If it is a bacterial infection, a prescription should help; but, virus related infections basically need the home remedies used for anyone with a cold or the flu.  Conversely, fungal infections may require minor surgery to promote healing.

Deviated Septum

People who suffer from chronic sinus infection often have other underlying health concerns that adversely affect the sinuses natural function to drain properly.  For example, a patient may have a deviated septum.  The septum is that piece of cartilage that separates the two nostrils.  If it is misaligned and leans one way or the other, it can reduce proper drainage of the sinuses, which, in turn, promotes infection.  Fortunately, this problem can usually be surgically corrected.  Then, the chronic sinus infections become only an unpleasant memory.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are growths that stem from the sinus membranes.  While they are usually not tender, they can prevent the sinuses from draining properly, and ultimately cause infection. To get rid of these obstructions to good nasal health, a doctor will generally prescribe one of three treatment options:

1. Steroids
2. Topic ointments
3. Surgical removal

Naturally, it depends on the polyps and the level of discomfort suffered by the patient.

Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic sinus infection are almost the same as acute or sudden onset of an infection.  The differences are in the fever and the duration of the sinus trouble. Generally acute sinusitis will be accompanied by a temperature; but, once treated, the symptoms will go away.
Conversely, chronic sinusitis can last for months, and include any or all of the following symptoms:

• Yellow or greenish drainage
• Pain and swelling of the sinuses
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Reduced ability to taste or smell
• Difficulty breathing through a clogged nose
• Coughing
• Ear pain
• Aching teeth and jaws
• Bad breath
• Sore throat from the drainage
• Upset stomach

Sometimes the symptoms can cause serious health risks.  So, it is extremely important to see a doctor right away if there is shortness of breath, double-vision, visible swelling around the eyes and face, forehead swelling, terrible headache, or a stiff neck that cannot be attributed to sleeping in a chair, in order to breathe easier at night.

Treatment

The treatment for chronic sinus infection depends upon the underlying causes for the continued illness.  For instance, people with allergies are also likely to suffer from chronic sinus trouble.  Once the allergy is under control, the sinus trouble will also abate. 

Although the doctor may prescribe treatment for various underlying causes, there are many home remedies and lifestyle changes that will also promote better sinus health and reduce the severity of the symptoms. For some, it might require alterations to the environment, such as more humidity or filters for air vents.  It may also mean less alcohol and more water in the system, or a change in diet to reduce the foods and beverages that cause the body to create more mucus. Living with chronic sinus infection is possible, once the root causes are dealt with, and the beginning symptoms are addressed, before they get out of control.