Sinus Infection Treatments

The first thing a lot of people think about, when they start having sinus trouble is going to the doctor and getting an antibiotic.  Naturally, they want to feel better quickly, so normal activities can resume.  Unfortunately, this is not always the best remedy.  Sinus infection treatment largely depends on the type and frequency of the malady.

In your Kitchen

Sometimes the best treatment for a sinus infection is found in your own kitchen. Going to the doctor and paying for a round of antibiotics is useless, because the cause is not bacterial.  For many individuals, the source of their pain and discomfort is a virus or allergies.
If, after a week of home remedies, you do not feel better, then check with the doctor to determine whether another underlying illness is causing so much pain and discomfort. Start by:

• Drinking plenty of fluids – a person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day, in order to stay properly hydrated.  Orange juice does not count.  A lot of people do not drink the recommended amount.  It will help the mucus run out of your nose, hopefully taking the infection as well.
• Steam – sitting over a pot of steaming water, with a towel over your head, is not just something you see in the movies.  It really can help loosen up the gunk in the sinuses.  If you don’t want to bend over the stove, turn the shower to hot and sit in the bathroom.  Roll a towel up under the door, so you essentially create your own sauna. Be sure to open the door or window, and leave the fan on, when you exit the room.  You want the steam to dissipate, and the room to dry out, between sinus treatments.  Otherwise, you can develop a mold problem that will only exacerbate sinus problems.
• Salt Water – Even for those that have a prescription for antibiotics, the doctor may also recommend and over-the-counter nasal rinse.  If you ask what it is, the solution is actually one quarter teaspoon of salt to one cup warm water.  If you own a bulb syringe, you have all that you need to make it at home.  It helps the nasal passages to drain, and reduces the inflammation.

You can find a whole list of home remedies for sinus infection treatments.  But, these are the main ones.  Of course, you will need the typical pain killers to reduce the pain and discomfort of the illness.
However, if you are an individual that suffers from fungal infections, it can be a serious and sometimes fatal health issue.  Patients who are undergoing therapies for cancer or who already have diseases that compromise immunity should let their physician know right away, if they have a sinus infection.  Here are possible treatments:

• Endoscopic surgery – if the sinuses have been invaded by fungus, the doctor may have to remove it.  Some types can be very invasive and need to be cleaned out before prescribing further treatment.  So, the first step will likely be some sort of x-rays to determine the extent of the infection.
• Anti-Fungal – antibiotics will be of no use, if the infection is fungal.  The doctor will prescribe something that will actually kill the fungus, before it has a chance to grow and do any other damage.
• Finding the source – for individuals that suffer from fungal infections, it is important to find out where they are coming in contact with fungus, especially if this is a recurrent problem.  Is there fungus in the home or the workplace?  While you may thoroughly clean with something to kill fungus, it is probably a good idea to hire a professional to look for it, and help you learn how to keep it from coming back.

When the home treatments do not work, it is time to see a doctor, even if you are otherwise healthy.  You probably came into contact with bacteria and have the type of infection that will respond well to antibiotics.  However, it is important to finish the prescription, even after the symptoms are gone.

Many people make the mistake of throwing the remaining pills away, when they start feeling better.  In many cases, they come down with another sinus infection very soon.  While they felt great, the infection was not totally gone.  Once the sinus infection treatments stop, it has a chance to come back and make life miserable again.

In short, sinus infection treatments depend on the actual cause of the illness.  Viral infections simply have to run their course.  Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotics, unlike bacterial infections.  But, prescribe treatments should be followed to the letter, so another sinus infection won’t pay an unexpected visit in the very near future.